MINUTES for 2021-06-22 FINAL - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Veterans Advisory Committee Minutes June 22, 2021 Page 2 I think it's only fair to put that on the table and say I don't know that that should be an entitlement to Hawaii Island Veterans Memorial and the same is true for why we have two open seats for Big Island National Guard Retirees and Big Island Retired Military Association. Isn't that kind of one in the same? Debra Lewis: I'll let someone else talk but I don't believe so. They're similar but one is retirees at large and one is those retired from the National Guard. Chair Doolittle: Well, yeah. Lewis: They are still two active organizations; I will say that. They are still two active organizations. Now we have some members of those organizations here. I sense that they have people who could be pulled from those organizations. Chair Doolittle: George, you're a member of the National Guard Retirees, aren't you? George Sheridan: Yup, I am. Chair Doolittle: Can you offer us any insight into that? Sheridan: Well, it's separate by themselves and its usually run by the NCOs. We normally don't serve as officers. We basically get together a couple times a year, check in with everybody, have a little party. But I think one person ought to be fine. Chair Doolittle: I don't ever recall any of those organizations designating or offering up anyone to participate in the Veterans Advisory Committee. Sheridan: Well, I don't think anyone's ever asked them. I don't know. Marcia Brinkley: I'm a member of BIRMA and so was Antonio when he was on. I think people in BIRMA are very interested in the committee. Sheridan: Yeah, one ought to be enough. But that doesn't mean we can preclude two being on the council. You just have the requirement to have at least one. James Hussey: Can I say something? I'm just a guest, I'm not a member of the council but I'm a member of BIRMA which is the Big Island Retirees Military Association which includes all armed services, active -duty retirees. There's about almost 100 members and we meet in Hilo and in Kona generally once a quarter, a pretty active organization actually. Raises money, donates money, gives scholarships every year to high school seniors and that's separate from the National Guard Reserve Association, two separate organizations. The BIRMA organization is made up of all services, everybody from colonel down to Buck Sergeant. If they're retired, has to be a retiree not just someone who served on active duty.