2007-11-15 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 November 15, 2007 Mr. Young reported that the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) organization said as long as we have room for urn burials we don't need columbariums and liked the idea of the monument wall for veterans whose ashes have been spread elsewhere. Mr. Young said he is not the representative of the Marine Corp League, but their representative wasn't present so he brought subject up and members had the same feelings as VFW. Wreaths Across America Proiect Barbara Cooper (East Hawaii Liaison) shared that as of last night they collected $9,900.00 which accounts for 660 wreaths which will be placed at Veterans Cemeteries I and 11. Funds are still coming in, but wreaths will not cover the 4,018 gravesites at both cemeteries, however, it's a good start for the first year. We may receive additional wreaths, depending on the number of extra sponsorships they get on the mainland, which may be divided among all the veteran cemeteries. Barbara asked members if someone in their veterans groups would like to speak during the ceremony to please contact her to be put on the program. She is also looking for people to present the special wreaths for each branch of the military. Hoping to get two representatives from each branch to carry the wreath, one veteran and one active duty person dressed in uniform, holding flag for their branch of military. Vice Chair Fox has a veteran representative for the Merchant Marines. Barbara Cooper asked if they could also get a Merchant Marine Flag since obtaining flags is difficult. Barbara said she spoke to veterans visiting graves of their widows at Cemetery II who said they feel left out since all of the ceremonies were held at Veterans Cemetery I. For the Wreaths Across America Project she is trying to incorporate both cemeteries into ceremony by getting a speaker system or as someone suggested getting a radio station to broadcast live. She checked with KHBC to see if Myna Bird was willing to, but they don't have the technology so they said maybe next year. Broadcasting would also be a way for widows who can't get to the cemetery to listen to the ceremony. Barbara said she will link both cemeteries by having high school band students from both Waiakea and Hilo do echo taps set up from Veterans I, spaced across the baseball fields at the Hilo Boys and Girls Club and up to Veterans II. They will stop the baseball games for this part of the program. She said the general wreath lying will begin at 10 am and the ceremony begins at noon. Barbara reported that the Civil Air Patrol Unit of West Hawaii is organizing the ceremony at Veterans Cemetery III. The only wreaths to be presented there will be for the (7) branches of the military. Contact person for West Hawaii is Valerie Hoke.