South Central Reporter

City of Centralia Veteran Affairs Committee met April 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. CALL TO ORDER – 4:01 P.M.

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. ROLL CALL

Burris _ X _            Ulen _ X _

Stevens _ X _        Castellari ____

Mathus _ X _          Moran _ X _

Mulvin _ X _          *Murphy ____

Sensel _ X _           Smith _ X _

Sutherland _ X _   *Aarons ____

City Staff –Asst City Manager/Economic Development Director- Sherman X

*Emeritus

IV. PUBLIC COMMENT – None

V. MINUTES – March 10, 2022 – $7,847.70, but it was missing a $25 donation for flags that should be added on for the next meeting. Motion made to approve 1st Burris 2nd Ulen. All voted in favor with no opposed.

VI. TREASURY REPORT – Motion made to approve 1st Burris 2nd Mathus. All voted in favor with no opposed.

VII. ONGOING BUSINESS

1. Elmwood Cemetery Maintenance

a. Maintenance on the cemetery has been delayed due to all the rain, but it will be cleaned up as soon as it dries up a bit. Moran asked why we were discussing cemetery maintenance, and Smith stated that the Veterans Affairs Committee wanted to make sure the grass wasn’t blowing on tombstones and that VA bronze plaques were being taken care of.

2. 2022 Memorial Day Service

a. City staff requested suggestions for a minister that is a veteran. Jeff Moore was suggested as a potential option. Moran was going to check about Father Steven being a veteran as he could be another option. Crossroads Church’s minister may be a veteran that would provide another option. Regarding the music, it was requested for patriot songs. If Morgan Isaiah came to do the music, her father is a veteran and minister as well. Double check that we have enough wreaths and the letters are sent out to the Mayors of the three neighboring municipalities. It was decided to put the flags out on the Thursday May 26th at 10 A.M. so that the mowing can get done. We will pick the flags up the following Tuesday May 31st at 10 A.M.. It was suggested to make sure everyone bring a screwdriver and broom to put flags into the ground & help clean up the tombstones. Stevens updated the committee that she has sown all the tags onto all the flags. Ulen and Mathus want to put the veteran flags along Broadway Street. Ulen intends to take an inventory of all our flags, straps, grommets, and brackets, so we have an inventory to plan for growth and future replacement needs.

3. VA Informational Day

a. City staff needs to call the Marion VA and Springfield VA to help coordinate an informational day that would be at American Legion or VFW. It was suggested that Earl White would be a good contact to get information or to help get into contact with the state’s VA office. Also, it was suggested that the U.S. Army recruiting office in Mt. Vernon may be able to provide information and assistance.

VIII. NEW BUSINESS

IX. OPEN DISCUSSION

1. Mathus mentioned that Sunday, May 1st was the 50th anniversary of the Murry Parents Association. There will be a parade around Murry Center with state representatives present to celebrate the Murry Parents Association. Mathus mentioned that Mayor Kuder’s presence was requested along with the Centralia Police and Fire Departments to participate in the parade. Mathus requested the American Legion Honor Guard be there. City staff stated they would confirm Mayor Kuder’s attendance at the parade and ask the Police and Fire Departments to come as well. Also, the commissioners requested the Korean War Memorial get some pereniall landscaping added to it to help make it look nicer and match our other memorials at Fairview Park. There was a request to ask the Public Properties Director about installing flag holders in the ground around the memorials to accompany our general flag installations around Centralia.

2. Our beggars corner dates for the 4th of July parade are going to be June 4th and June 18th.

3. It was requested to make some patriotic improvements around the memorials at Fairview Park and some landscaping around the Korean War Memorial.

X. ADJOURNMENT – Motion made to approve 1st Burris 2nd Mulvin. All voted in favor with no opposed.

https://cityofcentralia.org/vertical/sites/%7BFC680FE7-BE5C-4903-A103-67AF5EF51655%7D/uploads/4-_April_14_2022_Minutes_Veterans_Affairs.pdf