07-26-2011 i a
Las Cruces Veterans Advisory Board
Minutes of July 26,2011
Las Cruces City Hall
Open Meeting:
The Meeting was called to order at 9:04 a.m.,and was followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance.
Roll Call:
DAV Chapter 10 Kevin Dasing,Chairman
American Legion Post 10 Lawrence Orvis
MOAA James Harbison
Member at Large#1 John Muir III (Absent)
Member at Large#2 Lester Palmer
VFW Post 3242 Cosme Padilla
Marine Corps League Jack Petrowsky
Special Forces Association Frank Lujan
VFW Post 10124 Darrel Angel,Chair
Vietnam Veterans Fred Schneider(Absent)
Reserve Officers Association Vacant
VFW Post 6917 Vacant
(A quorum of appointed member was present)
Introduction of Guests:
Dolores Archuleta Mayor's VAB Liaison
James Turner New Mexico Department of Veterans Services
Jacquelyn Williams Department of Veterans Affairs
Xochitl Torres-Small Representative for Senator Udall
Ed Brady Special Forces Association
Frank Meerscheidt
Melanie Goodman Representative for Senator Bingaman
Ray Reta CLC Parks&Recreation
Lana Brown Las Cruces Veterans Center
Sally Schutte CLC Senior Programs
Dolores Connor City Councilor
City of Las Cruces Staff:
Travis A.Brown City of Las Cruces Representative (Absent)
Steve T.Mims Deputy Chief
Dolores Estrada Recording Secretary
Approval of Agenda:
Acceptance of the Agenda for today's meeting was motioned by James Harbison and 2°d
by Larry Orvis. Motion passed unanimously.
Acceptance of the Mimes from regular meeting of June 28,2011,Larry Orvis
motioned and Darrell Angel 2nd the motion.Motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
JR Turner has been the responsible party for flag and keys to the bulletin board at
Veterans Park_ Jack Petrowsky motioned for Mr. Turner to continue being the
responsible party for the keys to the bulletin board and flag at Veterans Park. Darrell
Angel 2'the motion.Motion passed unanimously.Ms.Archuleta thanked Mr.Turner for
taking the time and dedication to the park and its events. Mr.Reta from Parks and
Recreation will be making extra set of keys.
Motion made by Larry Orvis to change the raising of the flag on Memorial Day from 8
a.m.to 7 a.m.Frank Lujan 2nd the motion.Discussion was among the board decision was
conclusive.Larry Orvis withdraw his motion to have the raising of the flag and to have
the item tabled for August 23rd meeting.
The removal of regular flag at Veterans Park the City Parks shortage of personnel will
not be able to abide.Larry Orvis motioned to take information to organizations and table
to next months meeting.Frank Lujan 2°d the motion.Motion passed unanimously.
Darrell Angel motion to have the garrison flag raised for the Centennial Parade on
January 7,2012,Jack Petrowski 2nd the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
Reminder,the parade will begin at 11 a.m.
New Business:
Ed Brady from Special Forces Association of White Sands Missile Range represented the
2nd Engineering Battalion of White Sands Missile Range. The organization would like to
place a monument along Memory Walk and their units crest on the pavilion.The army
unit will be celebrating their 150' anniversary;they would like to have the plaque
installed by Nov. 290' The plaque will give a brief explanation on the unit's history.
James Harbison motioned for placement of plaque site only and Frank Lujan 2'the
motion. Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Dasing went on to advise that the only
veterans' organizations are placed at the pavilion.
To order the Purple Heart Medallion,UVC donated$480.00 and after it is purchased will
be placed at the pavilion in Veterans Park. Darrell Angel motioned by to have medallion
placed at pavilion and 2nd by Larry Orvis. Motion passed unanimously.
Public Participation:
Melanie Goodman shared that the VA is reaching out for women's veterans.Also,that
Senator Bingaman is in favor of raising the debt ceiling in reference to the presidents'
speech last night.
Xochitl Torres-Small gave an update on travel reimbursements in El Paso,still no direct
deposits and doesn't know when it will become effective.
Lana Brown from the Las Cruces Vet.Center,stated that the outreach program will visit
Deming twice a week.The mobile unit will visit Ruidoso and Alamogordo once a week
in each city.
Jacquelyn Williams from VA reported there is still no official starting date;on the
combine exam. They are looking to start a Home Base Primary Care Unit. On August
19'h at the Diablo's game they will have a table set up with information. Mr. Harbison
thanked Jackie for the contact person of the director of the VA health system who will be
a speaker at the MOAA luncheon.
JR Turner reported that process for free property taxes for veterans applications will start
on September 10. Also,a veteran's information fair will be held at the Dona Ana
Community College,rooms 75,77 and 79 from 9 a.m.to noon. Secretary Hale is
traveling around NM meeting with veterans(Meet and Greet),will be in Deming at 11:00
and Silver City at 3:00 pm the Thursday July,2e both meetings will be held at the
American Legion and are planning a meeting in August in Las Cruces will also be held at
the American Legion.
Dolores Archuleta announced that children from the Lutheran Mission School on
Roadrunner Parkway are planning a singing group to sing on Veterans Day at the
Veterans Park,starting around 10:30.The Veterans Museum is on hold for now because
of funding; also Col.Joe Long is no longer the director of the project.Ms.Archuleta
attended 7 homeless veterans at Ft.Bliss,Irene Villa of St.Genevieve's Church made the
contacts to have them buried at Ft.Bliss.
Mr. Meerscheidt picked up the DAV van in El Paso,TX. Also shared a picture of the
medallion of the Purple Heart for those that did not know what it would look like.
Lester Palmer also,had applications for drivers that are needed to drive the DAV van.
Asked if anyone knew of anyone that would like to please share,help needed
Good of the Veterans:
Mr.Dasmg shared information from Mr.Brown. (attachment included).
Jack Petrowski shared Toys for Tots is having a 4th Annual Cactus Golf Scramble on
August 20"sponsored by Pat Campbell Insurance. It will be their 1st event to help raise
funds for Marine Corp-Toys for Tots annual Christmas gifts.
Frank Lujan reported that City Parks does a good job keeping the grounds at Veterans
Park looking nice.
Larry Orvis motioned to adjourn meeting,Cosme Padilla 2°d' Motion passed
unanimously.
Next Meeting Date—August 23,2011