Veterans’ Affairs Commission
Minutes
October 9, 2008
Regular Meeting

I. CALL TO ORDER
The Veterans’ Affairs Commission meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
Present: Commissioners Bennett, Dow, Echols, Moody, Nowalk, Sams, Sarlls, Yett
Absent: Commissioner Ford, Barbara Shannon-Banister, Chief, Community Relations Division
Staff: Pam Feigitsch, Community Relations Division

IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes approved.

V. CHAIR REPORT

Ø Chair Sarlls announced that the UVC Candidates Forum will take place on Tuesday, October 14, 2008. A continental breakfast will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. along with networking with the candidates. Each candidate will then have an opportunity to make remarks.
Ø Chair Sarlls attended the Medal of Honor Convention closing banquet. She mentioned that many high-profile people were in attendance and that she thought the event was wonderful.
Ø The Veterans Day Parade will take place on November 8, 2008. Chair Sarlls will register the group to participate. She encourages the Commissioners to take part in the parade.
Ø The Veterans Salute will be on November 12, 2008. Per Barbara Shannon-Banister, the table will be paid for from the VAC budget rather than by the individuals as previously thought. The VAC has a table for ten so Commissioners must get their name to Chair Sarlls in order to be on the list to attend.
Ø Chair Sarlls is expecting the Veterans Recognition Month Proclamation to be presented at the October 27, 2008 City Council Meeting. Sarlls requests that all Commissioners be present at the meeting.
Ø Chair Sarlls presented the Volunteers of the Year rating scores for 2008. It was motioned, seconded, and passed that Rick Crandall and Clif Sams receive the award this year. The award luncheon will be held at and provided by Mt. Fuji Restaurant on November 10, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. Commissioners are requested to identify disabled or currently serving veterans as special guests. There will be ten seats available for each awardee, ten for disabled veterans, and ten for the Commissioners. Names must be turned in to Chair Sarlls to be valid to attend.

VI. COUNCIL CONTACT REPORTS

Ø Commissioner Bennett announced that Council Member Beer and his wife, Karen Middleton, had their baby last month. Congratulations.

VII. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Ø Commissioner Sams mentioned he distributed letters to the Chamber of Commerce asking for funding for POW/MIA flags. He found flags available for $12 to $15 each for the 5’ X 8’ size. He mentioned he is continuing with the project for transitional housing for veterans. He also reminded the group about the upcoming Veterans for McCain meeting.
Ø Commissioner Bennett will be in charge of collecting POW/MIA flags. She mentioned that Delaney Farms flew POW/MIA flags during POW/MIA Week. She suggested offering individual placards to those who sponsor a flag and placing it on the flag pole as a show of appreciation.

VIII. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
No report – see previous comments.

IX. NEW BUSINESS
No report – see previous comments.

X. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Paula Sarlls, Chair, Veterans’ Affairs Commission

Transcribed by Pam Feigitsch, Administrative Technician

The next regular meeting is Thursday, November 13, 2008
6:00 p.m. Fletcher Room, 1^st Floor, Aurora Municipal Center

2008 Meeting Dates to Remember
10/27/08 7:30 p.m. Veteran Volunteers of the Year Proclamation, Council Chambers, 1^st fl., AMC
10/29/08 5:00 p.m. HRC Community Forums, Council Chambers, 1^st fl., AMC
11/04/08 8:00 a.m. KCRT, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
11/05/08 6:00 p.m. HRC, Aurora Room, 1st fl., AMC
11/08/08 10:00 a.m. Veterans Day Parade, Denver
11/12/08 Veterans Salute
11/12/08 9:30 a.m. Western Region NAHRW, Sand Creek Room, 4^th fl. AMC
11/13/08 6:00 p.m. VAC, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
11/20/08 9:00 a.m. ACOF, Aspen Room, 2nd fl. AMC
11/20/08 6:00 p.m. KAC/ICCNA, Fletcher Room, 1^st fl. AMC
11/22/08 9:30 a.m. NAACP, 12075 E. 14^th Street, Aurora, CO 80010