VETERANS MEMORIAL ISLAND SANCTUARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Wednesday, March 7, :00 a.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Vero Beach, Florida

Transcription

1 VETERANS MEMORIAL ISLAND SANCTUARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES Wednesday, March 7, :00 a.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, Vero Beach, Florida PRESENT: Chairman, Alma Lee Loy; Vice Chairman, Anthony Young; Members: John Matthews, Joel Herman, Barbara Fallon, and Alternate Members: Eric Wieler and Curtis Paulisin Also Present: Assistant Recreation Director, Patty Howard; Public Work s Manager, Don Dexter; and Senior Administrative Assistant, Rita Hawkins 1. CALL TO ORDER Today s meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Committee members and the audience joined together in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A) February 1, 2012 Mr. Mathews said that the correct title for Mr. Ben Humphreys should be President of Vietnam Veterans of America. Ms. Loy stated that on the last page, Michael is incorrectly spelled in Mr. John Michael Matthews name. Mr. Young made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2012 Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Advisory Committee meeting with the two corrections made. Ms. Fallon seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 4. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None 5. NEW BUSINESS A) Request for use of Island for Memorial Service Mary Lloyd Ms. Loy said that they received a request to have a memorial service on the Island and the application appears to be in order. The memorial service will be for Mr. Harlan Smith. VMI - 3/7/12 1

2 Ms. Fallon made a motion to approve the application for the memorial mervice on the Island. Mr. Hermann seconded the motion and it passed unanimously. 6. OLD BUSINESS A) Update on Vietnam Veteran War Monument Mr. Don Dexter & Mr. Ben Humphreys Mr. Don Dexter, Public Work s Manager, said that the City will start the concrete work to create the bench pads and the foundation for the monument on Monday (March 12, 2012). At their last meeting the Committee agreed on the layout and the location on the Island, so today they will look at the final design of the monument. Mr. Ben Humphreys, President of Vietnam Veterans of America, said that he brought samples for them to look at. One is the medallion that will be on the front and the others are examples of the faceplate and sides engraved in granite to show what it will look like. He explained that the ribbon will be on the bottom in the front and it can be replaced if it ever needs to be. On the right panel will be the military cross and the seventeen (17) names of the Vietnam Veterans who are honored on the Island. Ms. Loy asked if they all agree that there are seventeen (17) names. Mr. Young said that there are seventeen (17) veterans recognized on the Island and all served during the Vietnam era. A couple of them did not die in combat in Vietnam, but they did serve during that time. Mr. Humphreys said that they want to list the names of those who were from Indian River County and were killed in action or died from injuries while serving in the Vietnam War. Mr. Matthews said these seventeen (17) are already memorialized with cenotaphs on the Island. There might be individuals with a cenotaph that may not qualify to be on the monument, so he hopes they do not offend anyone. Later on they may also find others that are not on the Island, but would qualify to be on the monument. Mr. Humphreys stated that there is enough space to add a few names if they need to. They had to draw the line somewhere so that is why they chose only those from Indian River County. The suggestion of adding the names came from one of their donors. Mr. Matthews asked if there are any Vietnam Veterans with cenotaphs that were not killed in Vietnam or are not from Indian River County. VMI - 3/7/12 2

3 Mr. Young replied yes. Some are from families of Indian River County, but this was not their home. Those particular markers were added before the rules of the Island were changed. Mr. Matthews said those that are memorialized with cenotaphs are appropriate to stay on the Island, but he felt it may not be good to have the individual names on the monument. Mr. Young said as they add veterans they can enforce the requirements they are setting now. He agreed that the names of veterans that are on the Island are appropriate. Mr. Hermann asked if there are other monuments that have names listed on them. Mr. Matthews replied yes. The Pearl Harbor survivors are listed, but that was done before the new Ordinance was in place. He asked Mr. Young if all seventeen (17) served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Young stated that PVT Nicholas Jennings died during basic training in Fort Jackson, North Carolina and was buried in Gifford, Florida. He was not killed in action, but it was during that time frame. Ms. Loy said that Mr. Young s list was generated based on the Vietnam era. She likes the idea of listing the names, because it also documents what happened during that era. However, she does not believe they should list a name of an individual that did not serve in Vietnam. Mr. Matthews mentioned that other monuments, like the Korean War or World War II monuments, are not only for the Indian River County casualties. Mr. Young said that the monument will identify the local veterans as well as those at large. Mr. Paulisin stated that the wording on the monument does address All Vietnam Veterans. Mr. Humphreys reported that the left panel will list the total number recognized by the Federal Government of those who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. It will also list the number of those who died from war injuries or as a result of agent orange. He said that the only one who would not qualify to be on the monument is PVT Jennings. Mr. Humphreys said that he would welcome the Committee s feedback for the quote on the side panel. Mr. Matthews asked if Real Stone and Granite could forward the plans to the Committee. He said that they have seen sketches, but they were supposed to see the final plans before it was built. VMI - 3/7/12 3

4 Mr. Humphreys said that they have already seen the final plans and nothing has changed with the dimensions. Mr. Dexter reported that Mr. Toscano provided the Committee with a dimensional diagram a couple of months ago. Mr. Matthews said that he would like to see the final plans, because some things have been taken off and other items have been added. He pointed out that the helmet pictured on the sample is a modern helmet and not that of the Vietnam era, so there have been some slight changes. Mr. Humphreys said that it will slow them down if he has to come back with the plans. He will be going to Real Stone and Granite tomorrow and he will see what they can do or give him. Mr. Matthews asked when did they plan on dedicating the monument. Mr. Humphreys replied March 31, Ms. Loy stated that Mr. Wieler offered a suggestion for the wording. Mr. Young read Mr. Wieler s suggestion. In memory of the 58,323 killed in action and the 1,678 POW/MIA and of those who have died of injuries from action in Vietnam and of exposure to agent orange. Mr. Wieler suggested that they drop the word remembrance completely and just use the words in memory. Ms. Fallon suggested changing the last part of the phrase to read or of exposure to agent orange. This would eliminate one of the words and. Mr. Matthews quoted a statement from last month s minutes where he asked that the Committee be able to see the final plans showing the wording, etc. Mr. Humphreys said that he was sorry for the misunderstanding, but there have been no changes to what their Committee has already approved in regards to the size or dimensions. Mr. Mathews said that he was concerned that they were rushing it. Next year is the 50 th Anniversary of the Vietnam War and they could dedicate it then, or they could do it on Labor Day or Memorial Day. Ms. Loy asked Mr. Humphries if he could possibly a copy of the plans that Mr. Matthews asked for. She said that they could schedule a Special Call meeting to review them, because she would still like them to be able to have the dedication at the end of March. VMI - 3/7/12 4

5 Mr. Young stated that there are four (4) changes that they highlighted. They are the wording, the helmet, the location of the seals, and the deletion of one (1) name. He asked how imperative it was for the VVA to have March 31 st as the dedication day, because their Committee would be more comfortable knowing that it is correct. Mr. Humphreys said that he is comfortable with the changes. He will see if the plans can be printed out and sent to the Committee so they can look them over, but if it cannot be done in a timely manner then they will delay the dedication. Mr. Hermann said that he has no problems approving it with the four (4) changes as long as they get done. Mr. Humphreys said that they could move the dedication to the Fall of Saigon anniversary date in April. Mr. Matthews said that in October, Port Saint Lucie will have the scaled down version of the wall, so there will be people there from all over the state. Mr. Humphreys said that he was not in favor of delaying it for the 50 th anniversary next year. In April there is a reunion in Melbourne and there will be veterans coming from all over the state. If they had the monument in place by then people would travel down here to see it. Ms. Loy asked Mr. Humphreys to come back one more time to show them a copy of the changes and to send the plans via if possible. She said that the Committee raised enough questions and they feel a bit uncomfortable approving it. Mr. Humphreys asked if they will have to wait until their April meeting, or if he can get the corrected plans to the Committee earlier would they be able to approve it. Ms. Loy stated that they could have a quick Special Call meeting to review the final plans to make sure they are comfortable with the changes. Mr. Humphreys said that he does not want anyone to be uncomfortable and he also wants it done correctly. Ms. Fallon asked Mr. Humphries if his organization would be receptive to rescheduling the date. Mr. Humphreys replied yes. Mr. Paulisin said that there are such high standards for the Island and they want it done right. VMI - 3/7/12 5

6 Mr. Young asked Mr. Humphreys to check the Vietnam War Memorial wall to see if there have been any names added that are related to our area, because he would hate to see them missed. Mr. Humphreys agreed to check the names from the wall. He stated that some of the names that they have on their monument will not show on the wall, because they died later. Ms. Loy said that she will try to schedule a Special Call meeting once they receive the corrected plans. 7. CHAIRMAN S MATTERS Ms. Loy said that she read some good news about the Veterans Council purchasing some new vans. Mr. Wieler said that for the last four (4) to five (5) years, the Veterans Council has been fundraising for a down payment on a new van to transport veterans to the VA Hospital in West Palm Beach. They were half way to their goal of $125, when they were informed that the U.S. Government had two (2), thirty (30) passenger vans that were considered surplus. They went to look at them in Jacksonville, Florida and found them to be in mint condition with less than 4,000 miles on them. They were customized with a lot of options and an electric chair lift in the back that had never been used. They had enough money in their account to pay cash for one of the vans. They approved the final design of the artwork for the outside of the van and hopefully in a couple of weeks it will be in service. They are currently negotiating the purchase of the second van and it is being held for them by the U.S. Government. He said that he would like to thank the Scripts Treasure Cost Newspaper and the Press Journal for designating the Veterans Council as one (1) of four (4) targeted non-profit organization to be highlighted during the 2011 Christmas holidays. In about 60 days they received 59 donations totaling $10, The Veterans Council appreciates everyone who has made donations and continues to support their organization. 8. MEMBERS MATTERS Mr. Young provided the Committee members with two examples of the revised tri-fold flyer for Veterans Memorial Island and asked for their feedback (copy on file in City Clerk s office). He described the differences in each flyer. He said that he went to the Veterans Council and they agreed to aid them in creating the flyers again. He will go back to the City to get the easiest to read and most updated map that is available. Mr. Matthews asked if items can be moved around on the map. Mr. Dexter replied yes. They are currently updating the map to make it easier to read and it will include a legend. They will add the Vietnam Veterans memorial and the plaque at the entrance VMI - 3/7/12 6

7 from the National Historic Registry. They could remove the World Memorial, because it is something the Committee decided to put off until the future. Mr. Young asked if they should highlight the entry circle on the map. Mr. Dexter explained that even though they fixed up that area with money from a grant, the items in that circle are not specifically for Veterans Island. He stated that the flagpole was a memorial from a local family. There will be no additional memorials or plaques added to that circle without it coming through the Veterans Memorial Island Committee first. Mr. Young asked if they should substitute the World Memorial listing on the legend with the Historical Marker. Mr. Herman said he would like to see the World Memorial stay on the legend. Mr. Dexter said that they can list it as a future or proposed World Memorial. Mr. Matthews stated that the World Memorial was part of the original vision plan for the Island. Mr. Young said that he would like the Committee s preference on what they would like the new flyer to look like. He would like the revised map to include a legend and have the names of the 73 honored veterans listed on the front cover. Mr. Matthews asked to have his middle name included on the flyer. Mr. Young stated that he will make the changes they discussed, take it to the Veterans Council, and then bring it back to their Committee for final approval. Mr. Young said that the Genealogical Society is getting information from family members and they value the input. He asked the Commission Members to review the updated handout of the Veterans Registry (copy on file in the City Clerk s office). A) Next Meeting Date April 4, 2012 The next meeting of the Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary Advisory Committee is scheduled for April 4, ADJOURNMENT Today s meeting adjourned at 11:17 a.m. /rh VMI - 3/7/12 7