Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
August 14, 2008
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:07 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Commissioners Dow, Ford, Sams, Sarlls, Yett
Absent: Commissioners Bennett, Moody, Nowalk
Staff: Barbara Shannon-Banister, Chief, Community Relations Division
Guests: Greg Echols, Alan Mitten
Presenter: Henry Mondragon, Veterans Service Officer, Arapahoe County

IV. PRESENTATION
Henry Mondragon, Veterans Service Officer from Arapahoe County gave a brief presentation on the purpose of their organization which is essentially to help veterans help veterans. A discussion was held regarding the services offered which include help with DD214s, burial benefits, pension claims, and compensation claims. Mondragon distributed business cards and contact information.

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Ø Minutes were approved.

VI. CHAIR REPORT

Ø Chair Sarlls mentioned the need to update the website.
Ø The Veteran Volunteer of the Year nominations must be in before September 1, 2008. The volunteer will be selected at the September meeting and a celebration will be planned. Past celebrations have included receptions and a dinner at Mt. Fuji Restaurant in the Southlands shopping area.
Ø The Veterans Salute is November 12, 2008. At the salute, whose theme is “Medals of Valor”, medals will be given to veterans who had not received their medals in the past. The Commission will get a table for VAC members who would like to attend.
Ø Chair Sarlls discussed purchasing POW/MIA flags to be flown throughout the city. Each flag would need to be replaced up to four times a year with a cost of up to $2,000 per year. The VAC will need to get annual sponsorship to pay for the cost of the flags themselves as well as the cost to fly them.
Ø The Veterans Day Parade will take place November 8, 2008, the Saturday before Veterans Day.
Ø Chair Sarlls briefly reviewed yearly events for the VAC.
Ø Commissioner Sams mentioned that he was told a group was planning to set up a memorial in Heather Gardens. Chair Sarlls believes it would be best if Heather Gardens and/or Windsor Gardens would donate money to help with the Freedom Memorial instead of erecting their own memorials. She mentioned that once the Freedom Memorial is built there is another memorial that will need to be built. Sams asked if the VAC could put a small plaque at the Freedom Memorial in memory of an Aurora Veteran who passed.
Ø Chair Sarlls passed around a letter regarding the memorial. Kaleidoscope Aurora Council paid for the model of the memorial. Dignity Memorial paid for the display case for the model. A plaque which will be placed in the case will be donated by Matthew’s Markers, a company that works with Dignity Memorial.
Ø Commissioner Ricardo Rodriguez has resigned from the VAC. Chair Sarlls will recommend Greg Echols for the open position.

VII. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS
A report was given by Commissioner Clif Sams regarding homeless veterans in which he mentioned that an ad hoc committee was formed a few years ago to focus on building a homeless shelter for veterans. The group meets monthly to discuss and plan what is now called transitional housing. They have looked at several existing buildings and housing units in Aurora but decided it would be best to have their own building. They believe the best site at this point is a 3 to 5 acre lot at the corner of Colfax and Airport Boulevard. The group is at the point where they are going to start soliciting funding to buy the land as well as build the building.

VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ø No report.

IX. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Ø No report.

X. NEW BUSINESS

Ø No report.

XI. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 7:16 p.m.

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission

Transcribed by Pam Feigitsch, Administrative Technician

The next regular meeting is Thursday, September 11, 2008
6:00 p.m. Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

2008 Meeting Dates to Remember
09/02/08 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
09/03/08 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
09/10/08 9:30 a.m. Western Region NAHRW, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl. AMC
09/11/08 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
09/25/08 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
09/25/08 9:00 a.m. ACOF, Sand Creek Room, 4th fl. AMC
09/27/08 9:30 a.m. NAACP, 12075 E. 14^th Street, Aurora, CO 80010