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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMITTEE MINUTES - 09/15/1992 NOTE: IMPORTANT meeting of the Sullivan Commemoration Event Committee on October 13, 1992 at 4 P.M. at the Waterloo Public Library. SULLIVAN BROTHERS COMMEMORATIVE EVENT COMMITTEE MEETING September 15, 1992 MINUTES Present: Junior H. Grimm, George Hubbard, M. A. Bauer, Vic Gibson, John Bedard, Jr., Jim Wilson, Bette Wubbena, Mike Magee, Bill Chamberlain, Joe De Bonis, Bob Schreiner, Pat Kinney, Bev Lind, Craig White, Ed Gallagher, Jr., Don Irwin, Mayor Al Manning, The meeting was called to order by Chair, Ed Gallagher, Jr. in the meeting rooms of the Waterloo Public Library at 4 P.M. Mr. Gallagher reported that plans have been finalized for a flyover of F 16's and helicopters on the day of the parade. He has been in communication with Mrs. Wyatt Butterfield, widow of the Juneau survivor who was in attendance at our 1988 event. He also reported on his communication with Admiral Ramage who has agreed to be the parade's Grand Marshall and will serve as our speaker at the banquet, if we are unable to obtain a speaker through the Navy. Captain Bauer reported that he had recently been in touch with Lt. Koontz in Chicago. He was quite certain that we would have a Navy drill team, a Navy color guard, and possibly an Army band because the Navy bands are booked for the U. S. Marine Corps birthday celebrations the same weekend of our event. Lt. Koontz will know more about funding after October 1, the beginning of the federal year. He confirmed the flyover would be from Sargents Bluff and would be four F 16's. An Air Force Unit and Navy Unit might include F 18's and A 7's. Captain Bauer indicated that we will see more action on our requests as we are now 60 days from the event. Lt. Koontz is still working on a speaker from the Department of the Navy. Don Irwin reported on the activities of the Public Relations Committee. Distribution of information will be on a local, regional and national basis. 300 dailies and weeklies have been sent information. At the national level, material has been sent to USA Today, Christian Science Monitor, and Wall Street Journal. All local AM and FM radio and TV stations have been notified. It is hoped we can get coverage on a talk show like the Today Show. Work on the limited edition commemorative poster is progressing. It is planned to have 400 of these in 4-color copy. There will be other copies available of the poster, but in two-color for distribution widely. There will be 2,000 copies of these posters with 500 - 800 to be distributed locally. They will be 18" x 24"on gray stock with blue printing. Doug Dillon has been contacted about billboards. It will address the public invitation to the banquet and parade. It appears the billboards would be at 4th and Washington, and 1st and Sycamore. There will be a VIP mailing of 700. The brochure will be included in the Chamber newsletter October 1. Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary Clubs will be visited in October and November. Jan Payne is responsible for marquee publicity. PSA's will be done and plans are to release something every week to promote the events in the media. Releases have been sent to 50 magazines including Veterans' magazines. Betty Wubbena suggested the brochure could be sent via the Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids Chamber newsletters. Mr. Gallagher commended the Committee on their work. Bob Schreiner reported for the finance committee. With $811 remaining from the 1988 Sullivan event, we have added $725 donated by committee members or groups. He urged all on the committee to donate. A check was received from the USS The Sullivans' Reunion Committee and Jim Lind Standard. These above amounts total $5,690. Pledges from the local banks, Zeidlers Concrete and IPS will bring the total to about$10,000. Committee members agreed to visit with the following firms for contributions: Brown & Dieckman - Jim & Ed Waterloo Courier- Bob Northland Oil - John Bedard Waterloo Industries - Bob McElroy Trust- Billie Bailey Minnie Crippin Foundation - Billie Bailey U.S. West- Betty Wubbena Dick Witham - Ed All Veterans Groups - Jim Wilson John Deere Foundry- Craig White Don Hurst- Jim Wilson Will Chamberlain reported a contribution of$500 would be coming from the USS Juneau Association. Bob and Ed urged all to make their donor calls as soon as possible. Ed Gallagher expressed his desire to see a plaque or other markings at the airport to read something like "Waterloo, Iowa - Home of the Five Fighting Sullivan Brothers." Jim Wilson reported on the Banquet Committee's work. The committee met on August 11. The invitations to the banquet will be mailed October 23 to VIP's. Tickets may be ordered through the Chamber of Commerce. The Committee approved the use of the logo for the invitation cover. He explained the table centerpieces will be styrofoam centerpieces with U. S. flags so everyone attending will receive a U. S. flag. It was suggested the banks be contacted for bunting needed. The Ancient Order of the Hibernians will donate the flowers for the head table. Craig White reported Post 730 has 15 3x5 flags and four casket size flags which can be used, if necessary. Will Chamberlain reported that the San Diego group plans to do the memorial service. Committee members asked if there would be a video tape of the banquet and the parade. Ed reported the Executive Committee would have to determine if funds would be available for this. It was suggested that folks with camcorders could be helpful for this. Captain Bauer reported on the plans for the parade. Ed Gallagher urged committee members to respond to Captain Bauer if he should call for assistance, reminding committee members that the captain could not do it on his own. Captain Bauer reported that registration forms for the parade are now ready and will be out by the end of the week. He invited all groups who wish to participate in the parade. We have commitments from the East, West, and Columbus High bands. The Cedar Falls Amvets will carry their large U. S. flag. The Committee is asking all WW II veterans to march in the parade. For those who might have difficulty in walking the entire route, the Marine Reserves will provide transportation. Captain Bauer urged all to contact him if they wanted to participate or knew groups which should be invited. He anticipates 100 units in the parade. It was reported that the parade permit has been taken care of. The City's Public Works Department will place and pick up barricades and the Park Board will handle the Sullivan Park rededication. Junior Grimm urged that insurance coverage be checked into and recommended that throwing of candy from parade participants to the parade viewers be discouraged to prevent accidents. Captain Bauer indicated all four services would be represented. Knights of Columbus want to participate. Bev reported for Sarah Barth that to date the Holiday Inn has registered for the USS The Sullivans' Reunion 90 people in 50 rooms, and the USS Juneau has 53 people in 29 rooms. Will Chamberlain reported that the deadline for reservations for the USS Juneau is October 15 so this number will rise. Sarah had also reported that bunting could be obtained from the Waterloo Savings Bank. Ed Gallagher informed the Committee he would be involved in business matters in Cedar Rapids from November 2 on so he asked that Committee members try to complete their planning as much as possible by the next meeting. Ed asked about progress on the plaque for the convention center. Bev indicated no progress in this area. When asked, Mayor Manning indicated he would help in necessary contacts in this area. Junior Grimm reported that he has enjoyed working on the project, but he would not be in attendance at the November event since he would be out of town for the winter season. The next meeting was set for October 13 at 4 P.M. at the Waterloo Public Library.