Veterans Memorial Committee

Approved: 10/21/20 Veterans Memorial Committee Meeting October 7, 2020 Via Teleconferencing through GoToMeeting 7:00pm Term Expiration Members Present Absent Staff Robert Marsili X 6/30/2021 Andrea Benedetti X Honorary Member Deloris Cass X 6/30/2022 Mary Cook X 6/30/2022 Tom Davis X 6/30/2023 Lisa Fischer X 6/30/2023 Joseph Ruth X Also present: Sheryl DeWalt, contract secretary; Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk NB: Robert Marsili, staff liaison, had a family emergency and Yvette Allen, Assistant City Clerk, is sitting in for him. The meeting was called to order at 7:02pm by Ms. Cook, Chair 1. Mr. Davis made a motion to have Mary Cook serve as Chair. Ms. Fischer seconded. Ms. Cook accepted nomination. Motion carries 3-0-0. 2. Ms. Cook made a motion to have Lisa Fischer serve as Vice Chair. Mr. Davis seconded. Ms. Fischer accepted nomination. Motion carries 3-0-0. 3. Discussion on the Veteran’s Memorial Committee and a brief history. Ms. Cook had heard that Mayor and Council were going to dismiss the committee. Ms. Fischer stated that she was surprised that the City wanted to handle the two events, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day, in house. The former Chair has moved from College Park and had not reach out to the City Clerk’s office. Mr. Davis stated that the Mayor reached out to him. He also stated that several months ago a box of historical records appeared on his back porch. The box of materials must have came from the previous Chair, Seth Gomoljak. The City Clerk’s office was kind enough to have them stored at Davis Hall. Mr. Davis feels that the chair should be the keeper of the records. Ms. Allen stated that she would be more than happy to meet the chair at Davis Hall to retrieve the box or keep the box with Administration files in storage. Mr. Davis stated that he remembered that there is stationary in the box and when a letter is sent from the committee, it would be good to use it. For the interim, the box will stay in storage at Davis Hall. 4. Mr. Davis reviewed the Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony took about 15 minutes and there were 6-7 people present. Social distance and face masks were worn. There was an Opening and Closing Prayer. The flag was presented by the American Legion Color Guard. There were at least two wreaths presented and hung up. Veteran’s Day is November 11. Mr. Davis has suggested that the same format used for Memorial Day could be used for Veteran’s Day. Ms. Fischer asked if the ceremony could be livestreamed and the then the link could be added to the website. Ms. Allen indicated she would have to consult with the City’s IT department and Communications Coordinator on whether this could be achieved. Ms. Fischer stated that if the City could not assist, she can ask her IT associates for assistance. The following tasks will need to be completed: - Ms. Allen will contact the City Manager to get approval for the ceremony and the parameters for number of people. She will also reach out to the IT Department/Communications Coordinator for potential livestream of the ceremony. - Ms. Allen ask the Staff Liaison, Robert Marsili, to inquire with the Finance Director on the amount of money in the budget for the committee. Ms. Allen will also look into the cable tax monies. - Mr. Davis will call the American Legion and confirm the Color Guard and also the wreaths. There should be a wreath from the City of College Park, the VFW and the American Legion Auxiliary. Ms. Allen will order the wreath from the City and have it delivered on Veterans Day. - Ms. Fischer will work on a mock-up of signs announcing the Veteran’s Day ceremony. - Ms. Allen will send the committee list to Ivy Christophers. She will need to have Ivy’s address emailed to her. - The prayers have to be non-denominational. Ms. Cook did not completely agree. - Mr. Davis suggested that there are photographs, taken by Jimmy Robertson, from years past and it would be very nice to organize them and show them on the College Park TV channel. Ms. Cook also stated that she has some photographs. - Ms. Cook will call the University of Maryland to ask about using the UMD TV. 5. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 21 at 7:00 pm. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.