SOUTH WINDSOR PATRIOTIC COMMISSION
September 17, 2012
The meeting was called to order at 7:33 p.m. by Kent Carlson, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
ATTENDANCE:
Roger Anderson, Peter Anthony, Herb Asplund, Gene Botteron, Kent Carlson, Bill Carroll, Teri Dickey-Gaignat, Len Glasser, Bob Hornish, Daria Plummer, Jim Throwe (alt), Art Sladyk (alt.).
MINUTES:
The minutes of June 18, 2012 were approved. Motion: Anderson/Asplund. Move to accept the minutes as printed. Carried.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Presented by Kent Carlson. Of the $13,500 designated to the Patriotic Commission, $11,500 committed based upon past experience/usage of funding. Specific areas may change as needed.
CORRESPONDENCE: None at this time.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Essay Contest, Roger Anderson
o PTOs to be contacted in October; deadline for contest will be in January.
Evening In The Park: May 18, 2013
- Kent reported that planning will commence in the near future.
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony and flags on graves: May 27, 2013
o Speaker being sought.
o $1,000 budgeted for a band. Various bands discussed. It was recommended that Kevin Cooney be contacted for information regarding a local Celtic band.
- 215 veterans’ graves identified at Center Cemetery through an Eagle Scout project.
- 700+ graves at Wapping Cemetery need review; tentatively may be done as another Eagle Scout project.
- Identifying veterans’ graves an ongoing effort; outside signage preferable; suggestion: funeral directors may be able to help in identification.
- Helpful if flags were to remain from Memorial Day though Wreaths Across America.
- Suggestion that spreadsheet be posted on website (of veterans in cemeteries) and that Patriotic Commission be notified if anyone wishes to add names.
Flag Day flag retirement ceremony: Peter Anthony—June 15, 2013
o Collection to commence; bins nearly full.
o Flags on Main Street need replacement.
Veterans Day Parade: Kent Carlson—November 4, 2012
- We are registered. Have asked to walk with TE band (not be separated from it).
Veterans Day Ceremony:
- Chaplin needed
- Speaker requested from National Guard
- Music being sought. As ceremony is on a Sunday, SWHS band members may not be available. Len will line up back-up music.
- No bricks ordered to date for placement at ceremony.
Veterans in the Schools: Bill Carroll, Jr. (Monday, November 12)
- Bill will work with Dr. Carter and Dave Archibald for scheduling veterans in schools.
- SWHS celebrates Monday, November 12; question if elementary schools do also. Kent to ask Dr. Carter.
Wreaths Across America: Art Sladyk (December 15, 2012)
- 450 wreaths laid last year.
- Discussion on national project: Let’s Make it Personal, involving students. Will work through Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, as well as the school system.
OLD BUSINESS:
Report on the proposed wall at VMP: Art Sladyk
o Art to obtain the cost of granite and marble for façade; etchings of service branches hopefully will be illuminated; backside of façade will match similar work at VMP.
o Site work, concrete, electrical: belief that all will be donated.
o Donations to be sought; seed money in brick fund, though money is for walkway.
- Do not wish difficulty in mowing or placing flags at ceremonies b/n wall and VMP.
- Permission needed from town to begin.
Herb working with town hall regarding updating names of SW service members on active duty. Bill Carroll to assist.
Material/labor for repair of flower boxes at VMP donated.
Motion: Throwe/Dickey-Gaignat Move to authorize Art Sladyk to begin the planning of wall. Carried
NEW BUSINESS:
- Flags around town center (Sullivan Ave., Buckland Rd., Ellington Rd.) Buckland Road is a state highway. Cost will be an issue. Bill will continue to work on this.
- Dates of meetings and activities to be posted on website.
- Backups for assignments: Len/Herb (MD ceremony); Roger/Bob (parade); Kent/Len (VD ceremony); Evening in the Park: Kent/Len.
ANYTHING FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMMITTEE:
- Small statue at entrance of VMP: larger base discussed; question: ownership.
- Peter Anthony to be honored for service by the Fire Department on 10/2/12.
- 9/17/12 is the 225th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
- Hillsdale College has two Internet courses on the Constitution that are free/excellent.
The next meeting will be held Monday, October 15, at 7:30.
Adjournment: 8:50, on a motion to adjourn. Motion: Dickey-Gaignat/Hornish. Carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Daria Plummer
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