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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-07-2023 VAB MinutesMINUTES VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 3:00 P.M. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS 1225 MAIN ST., SEBASTIAN FL 32958 I. Chairman Gary Spiecker called the Veterans Advisory Committee meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. II. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. III. Roll Call Gary Spiecker, American Legion Member Kim Paskiewicz, VFW Auxiliary Member Neil Baumgartner, VFW Member Rich Feldhann, Past Commander, American Legion Also Present: Brian Benton, Director of Leisure Services/Interim City Manager Joseph Perez, AV Technical Assistant Janet Graham, Technical Writer IV. Announcements and Agenda Modifications -- None V. Approval of Minutes -- April 3. 2023 Meeting Minutes Chairman Spiecker called for a motion to approve the Minutes from April 3, 2023. A motion approving the Minutes of April 3, 2023 was made by Mr. Baumgartner, seconded by Ms. Paskiewicz, and approved unanimously via voice vote. VI. Public Input Peter Puzzo -- He introduced himself as representing the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 189, working out of the American Legion Post 189. Raymond Osbourne -- Mr. Osboume introduced himself and stated recently he got involved with the task force for the 100t' anniversary of the City. He mentioned to them how great it would be to honor our veterans at that time and record a lot of veteran history into this celebration. This past year he was involved with Memorial Day and inputting VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023 data into a website called "Find the Grave" which lists some of our local veterans. This enables children of veterans to visit the graves on Memorial Day. He explained that presently he is working on a time capsule project. In that project there will be a slide show. He has been working with the Indian River Archives in Vero Beach getting some good photos of Sebastian and some of the locations that are part of our veteran history. He presented a flyer to the Advisory Board describing a local history seminar. He is doing a survey to find out what people are interested in. He is looking for a sponsor for this flyer which will be handed out to the veteran community and the community at large. Mr. Spiecker asked if there would be a cost to this. Mr. Osbourne stated he will look into renting a hall or something like that to put on a seminar with a slide show. He does not know what the cost would be. He said the library is out for this year, and he wanted to do something closer to Veterans Day. He would like to do a slide show presentation of our local veteran history and encourage more people to get involved and find out where we can find some more photos and stories of our local veteran history. He said if he can get some flyers posted at the local posts, City Hall, etc., that would lend more credibility to the project. Mr. Spiecker asked Mr. Osborne if he could stop by the American Legion when he gets back from his trip out of town, and it can be discussed. Mr. Osborne said he would do that. Norm Cage -- Melbourne, FI. He stated today is the first day he visited this building. He complimented the City on Friendship Park and the Boys Club. He is interested in when some of the events will happen and made some suggestions for events in the future. He has been involved in the Grant Seafood Festival, so he has experience with putting on various events. Mr. Benton suggested that Mr. Cage see Ron Paul who can give him some information. There are many community events that take place all year. The Veterans Advisory Board is heavily involved in all of the City's veterans events that take place at the Veterans Memorial located next to Riverview Park. Riverview Park is also used for large events, so there are a lot of events that take place along the riverfront. He suggested Mr. Cage talk to some City staff, and they can give him some contacts for those events. Our next veterans event which we are going to discuss today is Patriot's Day Celebration at the Veterans Memorial. VII. Unfinished Business -- None Vill. New Business VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3 MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023 A. Presentation by SCORE Treasure Coast -- Not addressed B. American 250 Monument Presentation and Discussion C. Patriot Day Ceremony Discussion Mr. Benton asked whether it has been decided which organization is going to handle that ceremony this year, or are we not going to do it. Mr. Spiecker said it is going to be turned over to the VFW, and they will get back to us. Mr. Benton asked that he be contacted with all the information so that the road closures, etc. will be done. D. Discussion of Gold Star Family Monument Mr. Puzzo called everyone's attention to the POWMIA monument that has successfully been being worked on. He stated he is here to ask permission and to go forward with a program to bring forth recognition to our Gold Star families. He passed out a drawing of what the stone would look like. It will be the exact same shape as the others, except this will be in white granite if possible with the Gold Star banner in the center. The proposal of the placement has been to place it where the POWMIA stone is. There is a walkway, and then on the south side of that walkway is where we would ideally like to place it. But there is a sign there. As before, his group will do the fundraising to get all the money together. They will use the same person who did the POWMIA monument. He said that they believe it to be a tribute that is fitting in consideration of the losses of family members in service to our country at the time of their demise. He asked for approval to go forth so they can get it on the City calendar. Mr. Spiecker asked roughly when this would be completed. Mr. Puzzo said it all depends on how fast they get the granite. He stated that last time it took about 15 months. Mr. Benton recommended adding this to the agenda so that the whole Advisory Board can have a discussion on it and make a recommendation or not accept it as a possibility. He stated the best way to handle this is to probably have a recommendation from this Board to go to City Council. He suggested adding it to the agenda under New Business, Mr. Richard Lewis spoke regarding the Gold Star Family Monument. He suggested that this is an endeavor that is really needed. He also spoke about the Wreaths Across VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 4 MINUTES OF AUGUST 7, 2023 America project in December. He said that this year they are going to place over 600 wreaths on December 16w. At this time there are over 200 wreaths dedicated to Sebastian. So we need another 400 at $17.00 each. He asked anyone who would like to donate to see him. This program has been a great success over the past few years. He added that they will begin laying wreaths at 10:30 a.m. in the cemetery in Sebastian. At the conclusion of the laying of the wreaths there will be a ceremony at Riverview Park at 12:00 noon. Item D -- Discussion of Gold Star family monument. Mr. Benton recommended that City Council receive a recommendation from this Board if that is its will. Committee recommended approval to move forward with presenting to City Council IX. Items for the Next Aoenda and Date: October 2, 2023 and 3:00 a.m. X. Adioum There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 3:19 p.m. By:/e,. Date: 2 6 C 1 Zd 23 j9