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Veterans Advisory Committee <br />Page 2 <br />June 16, 2011 <br /> <br /> <br />CALL TO ORDER <br /> <br /> <br />Chairperson Penny Fox called the meeting to order at 3:06pm. <br /> <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION OF DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF VETERANS SERVICES <br />Mr. Joe Flores of the Hilo Office of Veterans Affairs introduced Mr. Gregory Jackson, <br />Director of Office of Veterans Services from Oahu. <br /> <br /> <br />STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC <br />None. <br /> <br /> <br />PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES – February 17, 2011 <br />The minutes of the February 17, 2011 meeting were approved as submitted. <br /> <br /> <br />REPORT ON CEMETERIES – STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD <br /> <br />Hawaii Island - East Hawaii Representative - Mr. Keith Ribbentrop <br />Absent. <br /> <br />Hawaii Island - West Hawaii Representative - Mr. Herb Lum <br />Mr. Lum reported that the State Legislature passed two resolutions relating to a Veterans <br />Center, one for the acquisition of 60 acres and the other for the design cost. Both <br />resolutions are on the Governor’s desk for his signature. The County has also submitted <br />a resolution to the Governor urging him to sign off on those resolutions. <br /> <br />Mr. Lum also shared that the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and <br />Expansion Association’s Articles of Corporation has been approved and an IRS EIN <br />number has been assigned. The group is now in the process of submitting an application <br />to become a 501C-3 Non-Profit Organization. <br /> <br />Mr. Lum said a ceremony was held at the Governor’s Office in May to receive the <br />“Shrine Status Award” for Veterans Cemetery III which was brought back from <br />Washington DC by Gene Castagnetti, Director of National Punchbowl Cemetery. The <br />award was presented by the Governor to OVS Director Gregory Jackson who presented it <br />to Mr. Lum who in turn presented it to John Grogan who will send it to the County with a <br />letter stating their concerns about the cemetery and hoping that with proper maintenance <br />they can maintain shrine status at the cemetery. <br /> <br />Director Fitzgerald asked if the report being sent to the County will be recommendations <br />for maintenance. <br /> <br />Mr. Lum said there are volunteers at the cemetery constantly and they observe things that <br />need attention, they will communicate that to the County. Letter is not yet written so he <br /> <br />