November 2019 Veterans Council Meeting MinutesJerry Guilebbe called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.
Veterans council members present:
Jerry Guilebbe, President
Charles “Buddy” Rehal, Vice President
Susan Moran
David Perinchief
Corey Paulette
Chuck Clark
Bob Laws
Paul Lantz
Advisory members and guests:
Jan Pierce
Reading and Approval of the Minutes
Corey Paulette made a motion to amend the September minutes to include the vendors that will be at the Homecoming Barbecue. Motion was seconded and carried.
Corey Paulette made a motion to accept the October meeting minutes. Motion was seconded and carried.
Financial Report
The balance in the account is $12,777.11. The Beverly Vietnam Veterans alternative account balance is $750.00. Jerry Guilebbe made a motion to accept the financial report. Motion
was seconded and carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Veterans Day – David Perinchief was approached by a citizen requesting that the bell be rung. He will speak to the churches to ring the bells at 11am. Chuck questioned if it was appropriate.
David will research it further to find out the protocol for ringing the bell. Bob Laws received a complaint that the ceremony was not held at Odell Park and that there was no volley
fire. David will investigate the historical precedence for firing a volley. The ceremony will continue to be held at Vietnam Veterans Plaza.
There were roughly 12 events held for Veterans Day.
School students wrote letters and drew pictures for the VFW and Beverly Vietnam Veterans. Jerry handed out the students’ letters to the Beverly Vietnam Veterans and the VFW guys and
they hand wrote letters back to the students.
Certificates were given out at Ledgewood. The cost for the frames for the certificates was $17. David made a motion to use the alternative funds to reimburse the $17.00. Motion was
seconded and carried.
Cemetery Flag Removal - Almost all the flags have been removed from the cemeteries. Students and teachers from the North Shore Christian School did the North Beverly Cemetery. Paul
Weinberg took care of Cole Street. Shawn Murry took care of Beverly Farms. There are still some in Central Cemetery that need to be done. David will send some of his work study recruits
to finish Central Cemetery.
Holiday Parade – Chuck has secured a truck to decorate. The decorating will be held at Corey’s house on November 30. Jerry will investigate getting a banner that says, “Salute to Veterans”.
Holiday Help for Veterans – David has turkeys to give out. He was also approached by a Santa’s Village group and they would like help veterans’ and their families by providing dinner
and gifts. Buddy Rehal made a motion to direct these activities to Jerry Parisella or the veteran’s agent. Motion was seconded and carried.
Beverly Vietnam Veterans Memorial – The City is obtaining prices for the black granite.
Memorial Day Parade – David would like to propose that the 2021 parade date be changed to before Memorial Day. This will allow more people to attend and bring more business to Beverly.
Chuck suggested all commanders talk to their posts and bring the info back to the veterans’ council.
David suggested changing the route of the downtown parade. The Spear Post lot is too small for the growing parade. He suggested following the same route as the Holiday Parade, starting
at Beverly High School and ending at Odell Park. Jerry suggested starting at the Beverly Middle School. Chuck suggested using the Cummings Center parking lot.
The parade will need to stop at Vietnam Veterans Plaza to place the wreath. David suggested having the Beverly Vietnam Veterans start the parade. Once they place the wreath, the parade
will begin.
Beverly Farms Memorial Day Parade - The route of the Beverly Farms parade will be changing. The parade will stop going to West Beach. The wreath will still be placed at the beach and
then they will radio down to start the parade. $1,000.00 will be needed for the trolly to transport elderly veterans. David will talk to Endicott College about the bus that they use.
NEW BUSINESS
Good of the Order
Buddy found out that Homecoming Week was for the returning veterans of WWII. A parade and recognition were held. He would like to make the history of homecoming more public.
Adjournment – Buddy Rehal made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded and carried.
The next meeting will be January 23, 2020