Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
April 10, 2008
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Commissioners Bennett, Moody, Rodriquez, Sarlls, VanSciver, Yett, Sr.
Absent: Commissioners Dow, Nowalk
Staff: Barbara Shannon-Banister, Chief of Community Relations Division
Guest: Deelynn Ford

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was moved by Chair Sarlls that the minutes be approved as amended. Motion carried.

V. FINANCIAL REPORT
Current status: negative balance due to the expense of National Debt Memorial model.

VI. CHAIR REPORT
The Aurora Veterans’ Center Committee and the UVC are working together and planning to meet with the Department of Human Services for the State of Colorado to discuss the proposed domiciliary and decide whether it will be at Fitzsimons or a separate facility. The Department of Human Services owns the land next to the Fitzsimons Nursing Home. The acreage there was originally intended for a domiciliary that would house 80 beds; 40 of which would be transitional housing for homeless veterans. Chair Sarlls spoke with the head of Human Services, Vicky Manley, who said they will actually only have seven beds for the homeless in that facility. Sarlls mentioned that there are different definitions for domiciliary, so it will be important to work out what they really mean. The intention of the facility will be a homeless transition center for veterans that are not necessarily ready to go into a nursing home but need extra care such as assisted living. They could then transition into a nursing home when they are ready.

VII. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS

Ø Chair Sarlls reminded the Commissioners that they should be in contact with their City Council representatives on a monthly basis in order to answer any questions they may have, as well as invite them to the VAC meetings. Barbara Shannon-Banister will distribute updated VAC rosters listing Council Member contact information.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ø The Memorial Day Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on May 24, 2008 near 14^th and Bannock in Denver. When Chair Sarlls gets official parade orders, she will email that information to the Commissioners.
Ø The VAC will host a flag raising ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2008 on the east side of the AMC. The ceremony will begin at noon, but the Commissioners should arrive at approximately 11:30 a.m. Sarlls will contact Council Members Sandstrom and Frazier and ask them to attend, and will find a piper for the ceremony. Suggestions were made that youth groups such as the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts should be invited to attend. A press release will be sent out announcing the event and all Commissioners are urged to send suggestions and ideas to Sarlls about publicizing the ceremony.
Ø Commissioner Bennett has been trying to get in touch with Facilities Management regarding flag disposal. Chair Sarlls would like to hold a flag disposal ceremony on Flag Day and would like to start publicizing the event. A location would still need to be found for the event. A suggestion was made that the Young Marines be involved in ceremony. Commissioner Yett mentioned his post is planning on having a ceremony in July at the VFW. The possibility of a permanent drop box for flag disposal was discussed, and it was thought that the facility at Potomac and Ellsworth may be the best location to place the depository.

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ø Barbara Shannon-Banister has contacted Facilities Management at the AMC to discuss displaying the National Debt model in the lobby. She suggested the VAC develop a short write-up for the model stating a brief history as well as a description and location of the permanent memorial. Chair Sarlls mentioned that the National Debt Memorial will not be completed until the Freedom Memorial is built. She spoke with Ed Perlmutter’s representative, Bill Holden, who said they have earmarked $500,000 for the Freedom Memorial. He said they would also help with the National Debt Memorial. Donations are currently on hold for the memorial, but the VAC will sell bricks again in the future in order to raise money.
Ø Deelynn Ford suggested printing a “Thank You” in local newspapers to show appreciation to businesses, speakers, and attendees involved in the March forum. Ford thought it would encourage participants to join next year’s event. She will work with Veronica Moody on this.
Ø The veterans’ 1-800 number that the VAC spoke about previously is still on track. The intention is to have a helpline and a central website that veterans can access in order to find assistance in Colorado.
Ø Sarlls revisited the fact that the VAC received a request for endorsement from the Honor Flight Foundation which sends veterans, as part of a healing process, to different locations to visit military memorials. Some concern was shown by the Commission about the group, their intentions, and how the endorsement would affect the VAC. Although other veterans’ organizations have endorsed the group, the Commission decided they would like to address some concerns about the foundation before officially endorsing it themselves.

X. NEW BUSINESS

Ø The Medal of Honor Convention will be held in Denver from September 16-20, 2008. Please call 303-986-1023 if you would like to volunteer. Chair Sarlls suggests wearing a VAC shirt when volunteering in order to represent the Commission.
Ø The legal office at Buckley Air Force base will be closed April 10-24, 2008.
Ø New website for retirees is ________________
Ø The Dedication of the Walk of Heroes will be May 17, 2008 at Ft. Logan at 10:00 a.m.
Ø PVA Awareness Week: An open house will be held for the Mt. States Chapter of the PVA on April 14, 2008 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 12200 E Iliff Avenue, 303-597-0038.
Ø The USO is sponsoring an upcoming golf tournament.
Ø Outward Bound is a program that is helping returning Iraqi veterans to adjust to civilian life. It is an outdoor leadership program held in the wilderness and is said to be very beneficial for the participants.
Ø The 4^th Annual National Day of Prayer is May 1, 2008. An event will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church at Alameda and Moline in Aurora. A retired military person will speaker. The event is from 11:45 a.m.-1:10 p.m. and tickets are $10 each.
Ø The Aurora Multilingual Community Services Directory is out. Commissioners are encouraged to pass out copies wherever they feel appropriate.
Ø Chair Sarlls would like to have the VAC join the United Veterans Committee of Colorado. This group works on legislation to help veterans and is well respected at the capitol. Commissioner Bennett and Deelynn Ford will represent the VAC at the group’s monthly meetings. Sarlls feels it is important that the VAC present a professional image to the group and inform them of the work that the VAC is doing.
Ø Sarlls has a friend at the VA that is looking into what the VA can do to help with the building of the memorial.
Ø A few people are interested in applying for the VAC when an opening is available. Sarlls suggested they come to the meetings anyway.
Ø Volunteer of the Year nominations: Sarlls would like to do this in June and start publicizing it to the community now so that more people can be reached and more nominations received.
Ø Commissioners are urged to contact the White House and their Representatives to demonstrate that they strongly disagree with the newly proposed GI Bill. The bill has been put forth by the Undersecretary of Defense who feels that once military personnel are out of the service, the government owes them nothing. He is proposing that the government distribute final checks to those that are no longer serving and are considered 50% disabled. This payment would mean these individuals would no longer receive any military benefits of any kind.

XI. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.

The next regular meeting is Thursday, May 8, 2008
6:00 p.m. Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission

Recorded by Pam Feigitsch, Program Assistant

2008 Meeting Dates to Remember
05/06/08 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
05/07/08 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
05/08/08 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
05/13/08 6:00 p.m. Police/Fire Community Forums, Bison Room
05/14/08 9:30 a.m. Civil Rights/Human Rights, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl. AMC
05/20/08 6:00 p.m. Community Relations Div., City Cafe, 2nd fl., AMC
05/22/08 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
05/22/08 9:00 a.m. ACOF, Aspen Room, 2nd fl. AMC
05/24/08 9:30 a.m. NAACP, 12075 E. 14^th Street, Aurora, CO 80010