2008-09-18 Veteran Advisory Committee Minutes

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Veterans Advisory Committee Page 5 September 18, 2008 Hawaii or the Veterans Advisory Committee should be avoided - due to liability concerns). Veterans Day and Memorial Day Programs in West Hawaii Mr. Minoru Hanato shared that annually the responsibilities to coordinate these events are rotated between the West Hawaii Veteran Organizations. American Legion is taking care of both upcoming Veterans and Memorial Day Events and DAV did it last year. Other organizations, Boy Scouts, and ROTC assist the organization that is in charge. Rule 7 vs. National Memorial Cemetery Rule (Artificial Flowers) Chairwoman Fox read a memo she received from Committee Member Delbert Nishimoto dated September 15th relating to cemetery rules. (Copy of memo attached) A Veterans family requested for re- evaluation of Rule 7, Section 2, Decorations and Offerings with the National Memorial Cemetery Floral /Grounds Regulation. Issue of artificial flowers. Requesting the County include artificial flowers with conditions in Rule 7, Section 2. Chairwoman Fox said right now Rule 7, Section 5.02 does not allow artificial flowers. Basically this person is requesting that we allow artificial flowers at the county veterans cemeteries and change Rule 7. She asked for comments. Mr. Highley commented that he feels sometimes artificial flowers are nice, but the families should understand that artificial flowers along with cut flowers will be discarded in the same way when the caretakers cut the grass. The families should understand that the artificial flowers would not remain. Chairwoman Fox said she thinks that is what the family is hoping, that the artificial flowers will remain and that would create a problem for the groundskeepers. The other concern is that artificial flowers are made out of non - recyclable products so if they get run over and they get in the soil, its not good for the environment. P &R Director Engelhard shared that although some people do put out really nice artificial flowers and some people would be able to maintain them so they always look nice, there are just as many people who do not maintain them and leave them until they get tattered, tacky, faded and ugly. At what point is it okay to throw them away. Right now its easy to know when they can be thrown away because artificial flowers aren't allowed, but also because cut flowers when they dry can be thrown away and right now there is practically a war going on with people who think that our staff is throwing away flowers before they're suppose to. I would vote for a continued ban on artificial flowers. I don't think that the National Cemetery of the Pacific allows any flowers. Chairwoman Fox said their regulations are a part of the memo and read the following "artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance, potted plants and artificial flowers will be permitted on gravesites only during the period of five days before to five days