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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES for 2025-02-26 FINALVETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Zoom Video Conferencing and Kona Mayor's Office (Via Videoconferencing) Present Members in attendance (via zoom) Michael Doolittle, Chair Marcia Brinkley, Vice -Chair Debra Lewis, Member Isaac Nahakuelua, Member John Hiduchick-Nakayama, Member Joshua Sze, Member Members in attendance at Kona Mayor's Office (Via zoom) Minoru Hanato, Member Tom Wojszynski, Member Antonio Gaspar, Member Guests None Ex-Officio (Hilo) Melissa Samura, DPR Deputy Director Also in attendance (via zoom) Dakota "Cody" Frenz, DPR Deputy Corporation Counsel Amy Bautista, Secretary Absent Birk Billingsley, Member George Sheridan, Member Call to Order Chair M Doolittle called to meeting order 10:05 a.m., experienced technical difficulties — meeting paused. Chair M Doolittle called meeting back to order 10:12 a.m. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC None ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES Chair M Dolittle introduced November 20, 2024 minutes. M Hanato made motion to accept the minutes. M Brinkley seconded the motion. No discussion. No opposition. Minutes accepted. Veterans Advisory Committee February 26, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Page 2 OLD BUSINESS Update on the County of Hawai`i's website listings of monuments and parks of historical significance T Wojszynski: nothing new. Only thing is getting linked on County of Hawaii site. T Wojszynski: Camp Tarawa -- met with Hugh Ono, Department of Public Works, investigating the assignment of the construction of the display case. If any cost overruns, Department of Public Works will absorb it. Thanks to former council member C Evans for pointing in the right direction. Once get confirmation that display case is under construction, will work with Camp Tarawa Association for them to curate artifacts. Maybe summer. Need to have work committed before the end of the year to expend funds. Chair M Dolittle: Would be appropriate to dedicate on (conclusion of Battle of Iwo Jima) date. a. Update on the Veterans Cemetery directory and interment locator T Wojszynski: Done. All up-to-date b. Update on committee vacancies Have 12 authorized. Have 11 current members, one vacancy. Before B Castro left, updated everybody on their term and expiration. Suggest anyone on the committee that expires in 2025 and wants to continue, submit application to mayor's office early. M Samura: per Veterans Advisory Committee (VAC) website George Sheridan (12-31-25) and John Hiduchick-Nakayama (12-31-25). D Frenz: submit to Micah Alameda. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion of how the Veterans Advisory Committee might address homelessness, mental illness and suicide in the veterans community on Hawaii Island Chair M Dolittle: was hoping to have the Mayor speak as a practicing psychologist. A Gaspar: January 2025 American Legion posed $20,000,000. Hope Service Hawaii in Kona attended meeting (by invitation) and they were asking for care packages (towels, washcloths, soap, coins for washing machine). American Legion donated almost $1,000.00 worth of care package items. $300 came from 21-gun salute donation, $700 came from golf tournament. Members donated as well. Used all monies to buy items for care packages. Gave to Hope Services Hawaii in Kona. Chair M Dolittle: wondering how many homeless veterans in Hawaii county and how many make effort to locate services? There is an organization that takes a county annually. Not sure which organization takes the count. T Wojszynski: would be a good number to know to put some kind of boundary around the problem. Chair M Dolittle: Don't know if there is any tracking of suicides annually. Don't know if there is any way to quantify if there is a problem within Hawaii county for suicides with veterans. I Nahakuelua: agency does not have any information on that. Have a social worker colleague that works with veterans affairs in Hawaii county. Will try to get information on number of homeless veterans and correlation of suicides of veterans in Hawaii county. For suicidal ideology the leading argument is something called precipitating factors (childhood trauma, abandonment, neglect, abuse). A lot of people utilize substances, like drugs, to escape those thoughts and can't stop it and a lot of people just kill themselves. For veterans it's a two - ploy thing, they have their childhood traumas and then they have the trauma of leaving the U.S. Armed Services. U.S. Armed Services, for a lot of veterans is their family, if they had a good experience. U.S. Armed Services provides security, attention, food, shelter and a sense of purpose, when they leave that and return to the civilian world, they don't have that security and sense of purpose anymore and they just find routes to escape it. Chair M Dolittle: My question is always more about what's happening in our community and how can we address that. If we don't have any adequate information that gives us a clue, how do you address the problem. I Nahakuelua: That and if they want help. Was taught in order to help someone they first have to seek the help and have to accept that they phycological challenge. A lot of people don't want to seek help cause it forces them to process stuff they buried, trauma. D Lewis: it's a very complex issue, maybe can invite Hope Services or someone whose the lead on it to come to the next meeting. J Sze: going to school for psychology right now, plan it to work with veterans. In 2023 started a veterans club on campus. One of the issues is there is a wait time of over a year to be seen by the VA for mental health services, contributing factors to homelessness and addiction. For the past year, been working with non-profit (sustainable Healing Hawaii) that is trying to bridge gap between the VA and veterans (not getting medications on time, not being able to see mental health professionals, being put on a waitlist for homelessness). Want to set up peer -to -peer support group on this island. Representatives from VA will be coming here March 10-14 (2025) and will train group on peer -to -peer support, then will go district to district on Big Island holding meetings to hear issues veterans are facing and try to bridge gaps. Have mental health professionals and other professions on board willing to donate their time to go around with group and help in any way they can. Another huge issue is there are veterans who want help but are not able to get help with our limited resources. If civilians treat veterans, they don't get paid by the VA for a long time. Know about 25 people waiting to receive mental health services, some actively suicidal. Chair M Dolittle: vet center has a much shorter wait time and they have a new Ph.D. coming in. Had a presentation from a private group out of Wounded Warrior Project trying to launch a suicide program, have invited them to come and make a presentation at next meeting (May). J Sze: Group (Bobby Farmer) reached out to Wounded Warrior Project and they said they weren't interested. J Hiduchick-Nakayama: heavily involved with Wounded Warrior Project. If you download the app (mywwp) there's several peer supports groups you can get involved with, all virtually, events that are on there. In terms of suicidal ideation, also a national instructor and teach apply suicide innovation skills training (great program for County to look into). Would be nice if County had a website that provides all of these resources, not only for veterans or suicidal ideations but just for the general public. Chair M Dolittle: go into the vet center and talk to Maricar Souza about the Wounded Warrior presentation that they gave and she will provide you with a contact. And because its going to come from the Hilo vet center, you will get a more receptive reply back. D Lewis: commend you for your initiative. This is another evidence that the resources are there but the dots aren't connected and unless we have an easy, accessible, way for the veterans, were not going to see improvement. When you help the whole community, you help veterans but there are some very specific needs of veterans that can't be met except with very focused directed programs. J Sze: we as vets have a unique perspective and sometime trying to access services, dealing with people who haven't dealt with some of the stuff we've been through can be challenging and cause harm as well. D Lewis: caveat is need to educate on different services. J Sze: should I try to take on building a resource list? D Lewis: veteran services has a good start. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: great initiative. If you could put your contact information in the chat, those with resources can reach out. Share concern with mental health situation at vet clinic. There have been offers to set SEBAC patients up with telehealth and SEBAC said no, they do not do telehealth with psych patients here. Other places do, but not here. This has been a longstanding policy. Chair M Dolittle: Complex problem and seems to not have any direct roots to finding the help needed. M Hanato: VA used to go out to the different districts and talk with the vets. Wish they would bring that back. Chair M Dolittle: thinks for group, it's about identifying the resources and helping connect the dots. If a vet can't get immediate help when he's asking for it, they do retreat. Would like to identify and help establish that chain of information. J Hiduchick-Nakayama: The best way for immediate help is to call 911. If you say you are having suicidal thoughts, they will send police and ambulance, and most likely take person to Hale Ho'ola (psych ward up by Hilo hospital) for evaluation. Fastest way to get case management or mental health services. Once processed, will be linked with mental health Chair M Dolittle: Sees problems with that. People are reluctant to enter into 911 services for many reasons. Can see that compounding the anxiety of veterans. J Hiduchick-Nakayama: in experience, psych ward at Hilo Medical Center is not the greatest level of care. The level of support from the staff is not great. Sending a veteran there is not the best course of action. b. Discussion on proposed amendment to Section 15-61, Hawaii County Code, as amended, in conjunction with Hawaii Revised Statutes, Section 363-5: i. Removal of "Big Island Retired Military Association" from list of organizations to be represented, as the organization is disbanding. • Specific Representation designates must have one representative from each of the following organizations: American Legion, Big Island National Guard Retirees Association, Big Island Retired Military Association and Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Committee must also include eight at -large members. Chair M Dolittle: Big Island Retired Military Association is disbanding. Organization originally given a seat on this committee. Never in the history of this committee, in his tenure, has any organization been able to name a representative because of the County committee application process. Having organizations being represented on the committee has not happened. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: went through this process several years ago, when there were eight or nine organizations listed that needed to have a designee on the board. Needed to go to county council. Cody would be the one to advise on what next step would be. Wondering if practical to continue to list National Guard Retirees Association as an organization that needs to have a seat. A Gaspar: is a Big Island Retired Military Association (BIRMA) lifetime member. Right now he represents: American Legion and Big Island National Guard Retirees Association on this committee. Would like to represent BIRMA on this committee. BIRMA Director advised A Gaspar organization is going to disband due to decreasing membership. A Gaspar has offered to keep BIRMA going and is requesting VAC not remove BIRMA from designated seat. Chair M Dolittle: Just to be clear, VAC does not have anything to do with survival of various designated organizations. The question is, is BIRMA entitled to a permanent representative seat on this committee. Is that a group that needs to be represented on this committee. Personal opinion is, better served if have members on the committee from each of the council districts. T Wojszynski: Having specific designations of organizations that are entitled to a seat, defeats the purpose of having a Big Island wide community of veterans. Think we should investigate striking all of the individually named organizations and having the VAC be a better representative of the veterans. Why designate a specific organization that must be represented. Only one thing I would encourage we retain is that the VAC have female representation. D Lewis: and veteran representation. T Wojszynski: Those are the two. D Lewis: We have a percentage of veterans that are on the committee. T Wojszynski: Maybe ensure if the VAC is a group of 12, half plus one must be veterans. Chair M Dolittle: I think we already have that. T Wojszynski: I agree. Looking at language in Hawaii County Code. If we're going to make a change, lets make the change for what we think it should represent. Chair M Dolittle: Thought we did make that change from VAC to Veterans Cemetery Committee. Thought that was part of initiative, representation of veterans. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: Didn't ask for that part of it to be copied but we do have a requirement that a certain number has to be veterans and also that the chair must be a veteran. Going back into history, before the VAC there was an earlier iteration and at that time those people were representative. They would go back to their groups and tell them what to do and what VAC decided. When we asked to have this re -written, we discarded that idea. We were just trying to make sure that VAC had some people that belonged to the larger groups to have a voice here so we would know what they were doing. T Wojszynski: So do we need to put a motion on the table that says what we want it to be? Vice -Chair M Brinkley: We should ask Cody how to make that happen. DCC D Frenz: wanted to clarify one statement, VAC is open to the public. Anyone from the public can come. Would have to, theoretically, provide public testimony on a specific agenda item. Would not be a member but anyone can come. Read Fact Sheet regarding organization. No female requirement, previously discussed. If VAC wants to propose a change to the County Code, you would have a motion, motion would only be a recommendation since VAC is only a committee. If you have a relationship with a council member who could submit proposed legislation, that's how it would work best. Advise council member VAC met on x day, made this motion, here's why and can you help us or consider it. That would be how the process gets started. Chair M Dolittle: that's how it happened back then, wrote a letter to then Mayor who included a recommendation and it was taken to former council member Valarie Poindexter, as the council chair, and CM Poindexter and another council member at the time, took that and ran with it and helped address all of the codes and changes. We need to have a clear consensus on the committee of how exactly we think it should be and what would be the best representation for the veterans of Hawaii County. Want a broader representation of all of the regions of this county so veterans have a voice countywide. D Lewis: representation is important. I think about who isn't represented. Without dictating specific language, don't need that. The intent is to have broader representation on the island and skill sets. Could have at -large members and make a list of existing veterans organization to make a pool of recommendations as opposed to a directive for it. Chair M Dolittle: it's the application process through the Mayor's office and the council confirmation office that can ensure that diversity. D Lewis: There's the intent and then there's specificity in the actual specific representation. This needs to have more discussion as to what the wording could be. You want, for terms, to have people that care and who are engaged. Naming specific organizations that have to be there defeats the purpose. Chair M Dolittle: Point of clarification, State of Hawaii has 10% veteran population and would suggest Hawaii county is larger than state average because it's the most affordable county. D Lewis: veterans don't necessarily join veterans organizations but they may join other (non - veteran) organizations. As a committee we can continue to look for that pool of people. To find those that are engaged who can make things happen towards issues VAC has for veterans. Chair M Dolittle: Advantage of other groups, not apart of government. VAC is strictly advisory and recommendation group to communicate what veterans are thinking to the mayor's office and to the council. That's where that advisory ends. If they don't choose to do something with it, it dies or members take it out to other veterans groups. What you're saying is we need representation of veterans on a wider basis. How do we find that language? It takes a bigger discussion. T Wojszynski: I'll take an action to propose some language. I'll float it past the committee and once VAC agrees on language, will go talk to CM Hustace and ask if he will propose to the council. D Lewis: In the past the legal arm would listen to VAC, draft something up, and bring it back to the committee. Tom is capable. Can we authorize something in this meeting to allow VAC to pull that language together? Do we need to do that? Its gone outside the committee. DCC D Frenz: Thought would be to have a motion here, if you know what you want it to be, maybe not the specific language, make a motion here then reach out to a council member. Typically, they would spearhead that since it's a committee and not a required action, like a board or commission. If they are not willing, then we'd be taking the code, knowing what VAC wants, then submitting in Ramseyer format. Because it wouldn't be VAC seeking legislative amendment, it would be a recommendation, more likely to be a councilmembers legislative aide. Would work with them and bring back to VAC. Tricky because VAC only meets quarterly. If we have a motion, knowing exactly what VAC wants, how to get it, can keep working with the chair and can bcc for input. Hopefully by next meeting we'd know what draft VAC wants to propose. Those are thoughts to streamline process. T Wojszynski: Motion to modify section 15-62 membership and tenure, paragraph b, to read the membership of the committee shall be 12 members. Seven or more of the 12 members of the committee shall have served in the United States uniformed services, and then leave the rest. Strike all the names in sentence one. Chair M Dolittle: 12 members at -large. T Wojszynski: at -large. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: second that. D Lewis: Need to include qualities, not just respected by the community, broad representation of the island, where possible, engaged citizens. Chair M Dolittle: Would suggest some form of resume and interest essay of some kind. Why do you want to be a member of this committee? What do you bring to the table? We want people who bring stuff to the table for discussion. Want a broad range of ideas and experience. D Lewis: and a pulse on the community. J Sze: Do we also want to include female representation in that as well? D Lewis: I don't know that you can direct it. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: I don't know that's it necessary to do that. D Lewis: In the qualities, maybe we can get to that without saying diversity. Chair M Dolittle: I really thinks it's the resume and the interest is where you segregate that out. It would be good for VAC to get resumes, not necessarily to vote on but just to see the interest. What we need is consistency. DCC D Frenz: May be you'd want to consider another motion as to that point. There is a form you complete online through the boards and commissions website. You indicate choices for various boards you wish to sit on. Applications are not widely disseminated, as a practice, but that's something you can ask for. Not something you can demand. If that's something VAC wants, once get through current motion on the floor, make a motion with Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) help to send a letter or e-mail to M Alameda, VAC had a motion that was passed seeking the opportunity to review VAC applications prior to nomination and provide feedback. Chair M Dolittle: Benefit to the community to have people who work consistently towards solving the problems and difficulties that veteran community has. D Lewis: Think we can pass the motion, as stated, then do the separate motion. Don't know if that motion allows for stating of the qualities. T Wojszynski: Let me modify the motion then, the membership of the committee shall include 12 at -large members who actively participate in and represent a variety of community perspectives. D Lewis: Nice. T Wojszynski: Is that sufficient? J Hiduchick-Nakayama: Have to jump off. In terms of the language do we want to add honorable discharge into the language? T Wojszynski: Not sure we're going to get anybody less than honorable. J Hiduchick-Nakayama: Something to think about. Chair M Doolittle: That also comes into the confirmation and recommendation process. We don't want to make it too complicated. Have we concluded the conversation/discussion process? All in favor of the motion say aye. Collective ayes. Chair M Doolittle: Any opposed? Have a unanimous passage of the motion. Will wait for Tom to put into some kind of written form and distribute it through DPR back to the committee. Update: DCC Frenz: sent e-mail to M Alameda on VAC behalf, made ask if they would consider sending all VAC applications to VAC for review and feedback and he said yes, understanding that regardless of VAC recommendation, decision is up to the Mayor. M Alameda will facilitate that request and get applications to DPR for dissemination via bcc. Expect that you have a very short window to provide review and feedback. If you have thoughts, DPR can share back to M Alameda for consideration. Issues & Ways to Curtail Costs for Parades i. Police & Fire Discussion for assistance D Lewis: would like to let committee know, after negotiating a price reduction, used to be all volunteers, now costs almost $3400 to have the police. Up'ed number of police required to have because of Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements, not police requirements. Donated offices on bicycles. DOT added another requirement, electronic signs for three days, came out to almost $4000. Had DPW help do the route but the commercial quote that came in was so expensive. Council used to fully fund, back when items were donated. Total cost is about $15,000. Would be nice if parade had more guaranteed support. Stage at Wailoa which requires insurance coverage. Chair M Doolittle: In danger of losing parade because of costs. T Wojszynski: At least meeting took an action to work with DPR to see about submitting a budget request to offset costs. Worked with Charmaine Felipe, took it up to Clayton, response back was: parades are not part of the programs or services provided by the DPR for the funding of the Veterans Day Parade to be included in DPRs budget as a line item. Clayton suggested continue down CRF path. After comments this morning, why can't VAC just go to DPW and Police to request they include in their budgets? Feels costs should be in budget. D Lewis: Cause it's standard but it's not. DCC D Frenz: also represent Police and used to represent Fire, the same problem is going to be found there. If it were going to fit with anyone it would fit with DPR. The way we have to view everything, even the CRF funds, if it's not something the department generally does as a standard role and responsibility. Wouldn't fall under Police and same problem you are going to have with Fire and Public Works. Not to say you couldn't get some of the signage from DPW. You're going to have to try to find more CRF opportunities, maybe get more from multiple council members. Reach out to veteran member from each department that want to volunteer their time for security, EMS. Might be the best way to save and then get the CRF monies for everything else. D Lewis: some years are lean. One year didn't get any money from council and last year got $4000. Chair M Doolittle: A lot of members of police and fire departments are veterans. Appealing to them to volunteer their time, not asking them for any more than we're putting out ourselves. D Lewis: Used to be easy but hard enough to get it, even when you're paying them, to get the numbers required to have. Chair M Doolittle: Would hate to think that some time down the line were going to lose this as a community event. T Wojszynski: don't want to belabor the point but there are more parades than just the veterans day parade, don't understand why police can't put a budget line item, support to big island parades. DCC D Frenz: You're free to ask but its tight. That's just what I think but if the Chief is able to find a way to get creative and its approved... they are currently in budget, if it were going to be granted, would be a supplemental which means it would not be guaranteed. Step one would be to reach out to the Chief and his private secretary, Lynn Peterson, and see if this is something he would consider. No harm in asking, just don't want to give false hope. Chair M Doolittle: it's a long-term problem that needs addressing in the long term. d. Urn Vaults Chair M Doolittle: I believe T Wojszynski just delivered M Hanato a letter from Washington DC in regards to that subject? T Wojszynski: Have been in communication with James Earp, Director of Veterans Cemetery Grants Program at National Cemetery Administration of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, who basically said they no longer provide 2 x 2 cement vaults and it is the responsibility of the mortuary that the individual is working with. Exchange on proper procedure to include letter into minutes. Ultimately, because it was read into minutes, becomes part of the minutes that way. Chair M Doolittle: Subject is closed unless find a way, other than through the mortuaries, to get that accomplished. REPORT ON CEMETERIES — STATE VETERANS ADVISORY BOARD a. Hawaii Island — East Hawaii Representative — Kelcie Figueira (OVS) Chair M Doolittle: Kelcie not available today. T Wojszynski: James Earp was curious why none of Hawaii cemeteries are in the Nation Veterans Cemetery Registry? Connected him with Kelcie and now all three Big Island cemeteries are represented in the nation grave locater under the Veterans Administration, National Cemetery Administration. Chair M Doolittle: Your efforts, in the directory of the cemeteries, along with DPR has just been phenomenal. Have had a lot of people comment on that. b. Cemetery Audit Results — Director/Deputy Director Chair M Doolittle: do we have a county comment on the results of the cemetery audits? Have they closed out all of the deficient items? M Samura: have asked staff, didn't have any notes from previous deputy regarding any audits. Don't have those audits. Unsure what that looks like. Have nothing to report on that. Chair M Doolittle: Inspection from the national veterans graves department gave us a report 3-4 years ago. It had a number of deficiencies within that audit. Been working through deficiencies over the years and think were close to closing it out. M Samura: What would be an example of a deficiency? Chair M Doolittle: alignment of headstones throughout cemeteries was one of them. Don't ever remember seeing a copy of the actual inspection and deficiency items listed, it was a verbal discussion that Maurice or Michelle delivered to VAC. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: J Dempsey should have them in his files. He was onsite during the inspections and he has reported results to various organizations. T Wcjszynski: nothing recent from J Dempsey. Inspection actually happened 2 - 2 1/z years ago and it took like a year to get to the report. Deficiency report came out. Main one was gravestone alignment mostly in cemetery 42. Problem solved in West Hawaii. In 41 their pretty good. One of the biggest areas was alignment of gravestones in cemetery 42. Vice -Chair M Brinkley: Not having written SOPS for certain things. D Lewis: Delay of names on the headstones and an inventory, location inventory. T Wcjszynski: Thinks Jaye has the physical report. ANNOUNCEMENTS D Lewis: presented recognition to a 107 old woman veteran. Want to make sure women are in the memorial registry. Have 3,000,000 and only 250,000 in the registry. It's free and can afford recognition for women veterans. A Gaspar: American Legion will be doing community service projects in Hilo and Kona in March. Doing free income tax preparation at Hale Hawwai, Waimea Community Center and Yano Hall. Konaweana ROTC awards and ceremony in April. American Legion will be donating medals and certificates and possibly cash awards. Monies are raised from golf tournament. T Wcjszynski: have three announcements. Members of veterans community supported and teamed with USO at Pohakuloa training area to feed 1300+ marines, soldiers and seamen who were performing training exercises. USO is completely funded through volunteers and donations. Please consider a donation to USO at PTA. Donation has to be sent to Honolulu and earmarked for PTA. West Hawaii Veterans Ceremony Memorial Day ceremony is scheduled for Sunday, May 26 h at 11:00 a.m. This year as part of the ceremony, dedicating a war memorial plaque, joint effort between Daughters of the American Revolution —Hawaii Loa Chapter and the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery Development and Expansion Association. On State committee for America 250, celebration of the 250' anniversary of the United States to be celebrated on July 4 h, 2026. The Legion Riders in Hilo will be doing a reenactment of Paul Reveres famous ride on April 18, 2025. D Lewis: DPR has been instrumental in making sure events get put on the County list for things. Want to make sure events are listed. Requesting help with the publicity in making sure the county is aware and it gets out to the public. Chair M Doolittle: also for memorial day, at Hakalau Veterans Park just completed rejuvenation project, Paul Austria will be a featured speaker in the re -dedication of the Hakalau Veterans Park memorial. If anyone can attend, would greatly appreciate it, May 24 h at 10:00 a.m. M Hanato: was made aware that a lot of veterans don't know they deserve military honors, the families don't know. If anybody asks, let mortuaries know they are veterans. Chair M Doolittle: Most mortuaries know to ask. Best way to get the word out would be a flyer from the different organizations to the mortuaries because that's where that contact is being made. NEXT MEETING May 28, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Motion to adjourn made by D Lewis, seconded by Vice -Chair M Brinkley. Collective ayes. No opposed. Summary of Veterans Advisory Committee meeting prepared by: Amy Bautista Veterans Advisory Committee, Secretary