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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOMMITTEE MINUTES - 08/19/1992 NOTICE: The next meeting of the Sullivan Brothers Commemorative Committee will be held at the Waterloo Public Library on Tuesday, September 15, 1992 at 4:00 P.M. SULLIVAN BROTHERS COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE MEETING August 19, 1992 MINUTES Present: George Hubbard, Jim Mount, John W. Lambertson, Terry Poe, Jan Payne, Don Irwin, John Fisken, Jim Wilson, Sarah Barth, Murray Davidson, Bill Chamberlain, Mike Magee, Paul Fant, Joe De Bonis, Vic Gibson, Donald Baker, Junior H. Grimm, Ed Gallagher, Jr. , Billie Bailey, John Rooff, Bev Lind The meeting was called to order by the Chair, Ed Gallagher, Jr. at 4:05 P.M. in the meeting rooms of the Waterloo Public Library. Minutes of the July 16, 1992 meeting were approved as mailed. Don Irwin distributed copies of the proposed poster by Hellman Associates, Inc. and asked for input from committee members. It was suggested that the appropriate numbers appear on the bow of the Juneau. It was pointed out that the brothers received the Purple Heart and not the Navy Cross as depicted on the poster. It was agreed the numbers be added to the sketch and a change be made to reflect the Purple Heart on the poster. Mr. Irwin left momentarily to convey these changes to Hellman Associates by telephone. Mr. Gallagher introduced Terry Poe, Murray Davidson and John Rooff who had joined the committee for the first time, but had received all the past minutes. Mr. Gallagher asked for a report from the parade committee. Junior Grimm reported that arrangements have been made with Major General Lawson in Des Moines who has sent a letter to Mayor Manning indicating they will have helicopters and F 16's in the flyover. He further reported that he had contacted the Waterloo Public Schools' person, Mr. Phil Miller about the school bands being in the parade. He will contact Mr. Miller again on Monday. We do know that Columbus High band has the parade on their schedule. Jim Wilson reported on the banquet plans. Betty Willasson has agreed to assist the committee. Jim indicated that RSVP has agreed to address the invitations. However, a mailing list is needed. Ed asked Jim to set up a meeting of the small committee to plan the mailing list. Mike Magee asked if there would be room to set up seats in the exhibition hall after the banquet for those who wanted to see the program. There was some question about whether there would be room for this and Jim indicated he would check with Sarah to see if additional seating could be set up. Mr. Gallagher reported on fundraising for Bob Schreiner who was unable to attend. UAW has notified Ed that they will send a check for $500. John Rooff indicated that he had pledges for $300. Contributions were received from Will Chamberlain and Vic Gibson. The U.S.S. The Sullivans Reunion Committee presented a check for $500. It appears that we have about $3,000 at the present time. Mr. Fant asked where any shortfall in our goal will be made up and Ed Gallagher indicated that we had to raise the money. Any excess funds will go to the Grout Museum for improving the permanent display at the convention center, a display at the Grout Museum or in the airport. There was no additional report from the reunion committees. Page 2 Billie Bailey reported that the Grout Museum will refurbish the permanent display in the convention center. The exhibit being planned at the Grout will follow the series of events, the -bombing of Pearl Harbor; the impact on the home front; how the death of the five brothers was used by the United States to encourage everyone to participate in the war effort. The exhibit will have letters, cards, uniforms, weapons, photos, the ship model, the 5 star flag displayed in the Sullivans home, and possibly the script of the movie, "The Fighting Sullivans". It was suggested that Billie could contact Admiral Ramage, or Senator Grassley about possibly getting five Purple Hearts for the display. Billie indicated she would contact Senator Grassley's office. She urged everyone to let her know of other memorabilia available for the exhibit. Billie also reported on the memorabilia available for sale. The following items are available for purchase at the Grout Museum: Keychains - $2.50; mugs - $5.00; patch - 1.50; cap with patch - (being considered) small button - $.50 (Buttons from the 1988 event are available for sale) Available at Post 730 are T-shirts; sweatshirts; caps; and possibly belt buckles. Don Irwin reported on the activities of the publicity committee. It was agreed that when the poster was ready that we would have 400 produced of the limited edition. It was suggested that a booth could be obtained at the National Cattle Congress in September as a place to sell the poster. Don indicated that volunteers would be needed to help distribute and sell posters. There was some talk about seeking information on the possibility of getting the Navy Cross for the Sullivan brothers. Ed Gallagher indicated that he could look into it. It was agreed, however, that others who did go down with the ship were awarded the Purple Heart, and that would be the correct thing to accept. Don indicated that the brochures would be ready by late August. It was the consensus of the group that 10,000 should be printed. Possible places of distribution were the Chamber of Commerce, the Cattle Congress, to the reunion participants, and others. Don indicated that a press release was being composed and would be distributed to national papers in September. Jan reported that she had been in touch with military magazine publishers who were interested in material. Some have their October-November issues ready for printing. There will be material sent to national TV shows, talk shows at local stations. It was agreed that Ed Gallagher and Will Chamberlain could be possible speakers on these local time slots. It was suggested that possibly banners could be made to string across the street for that day. There was brief discussion about banners from the light poles, but these would have to be designed and approved before making them. Bev Lind asked that it beclarified that the dates to be advertised for the event would be November 13 & 14, 1992. It was agreed by the committee. Sunday is reserved for the reunion groups. It was indicated that KGAN, IPTV, CNN and others will be contacted and a press conference will be set. Don pointed out that a new U.S.S. The Sullivans is being built. Mike Magee suggested that we check to confirm the time of day in Waterloo when the sinking of the Juneau happened at 11:01 A.M. near Guadalcanal. Perhaps the churches of Waterloo could all ring their bells at that time. Bev Lind said she would check on the time of day in 1942. Page 3 When Don Irwin mentioned the quality of the picture of the Sullivan brothers he had to work with, Murray indicated that he had the negative of the original photograph he would loan so that additional pictures could be made. Ed Gallagher reported that he had heard from Admiral Ramage who accepted the request to serve as Grand Marshall of the parade. A letter will be sent to the Chief of Information to try to help us wrap up some of the loose ends. Ed learned that our contact in Chicago, Lt. Koontz is being transferred to the U.S.S. Constitution, leaving on October 30, 1992 which could be a bad time for us since he has been pushing to help us get things planned with the Navy. There may be some problems with getting the drill team and Navy band. Ed also indicated that he had talked with an executive in a firm with local billboards who was going to see what he could do about that medium. Bev reported that she had talked with the Waterloo airport director, who advised us to obtain tickets now for the survivors. If, at a later date the airlines come through, we can deal with refunds at that time. An unknown expense at this time is costs to bring in the military personnel. Mike Magee indicated that Stan LeMaster who made the trees available to us would very much like to attend. Billie indicated that she would check with the Natural Heritage Foundation to see if they could help us bring Stan by means of a grant. It is anticipated that the Friday luncheon at the Grout will probably be for 100 people. Mr. Fant suggested that some acknowledgement be made to Mrs Wyatt Butterfield. Ed Gallagher indicated that he had written to her several times and agreed that he would do this. Mike Magee asked if any contact had been made with Juneau, Alaska about what they were doing this summer. Ed Gallagher indicated that he had written to the contact Mike had given him, but had not ever received anything. Mike indicated that he had been in touch with the National Geographic people who are planning on a production regarding the Solomon Islands and the battles fought there for Summer, 1993. They are interested in obtaining access to the newsreels that Mike has clips from. Bev asked if there was interest in having the film "The Fighting Sullivans" shown some time during the commemorative event. The committee agreed that this could be done at the convention center on Saturday afternoon. Someone suggested that KWWL be contacted about possibly showing the movie on late night TV around the time of the event. Mr. Gallagher commended the members of the committee on their progress. He indicated that he was pleased with the progress and expressed his appreciation to Murray Davidson and John Rooff for the interest shown by the family members. Mr. Gallagher asked if contact had been made with Jimmy Sullivan. Bev Lind indicated that she had talked with him personally several times and he has been receiving all of the minutes of committee meetings so he has been kept informed. Don Baker indicated that he would contact the Cedar Falls Amvets to determine if they would be willing to carry their large flag in the parade. Mike Magee asked Ed if he would be willing to sing "Danny Boy" at the close of the banquet. Ed indicated that he would be willing to lead the singing of "God Bless America". The next meeting was set for Tuesday, September 15 at 4:00 P.M. in the meeting rooms of the Waterloo Public Library. The meeting adjourned at 5:40 P.M. FIVE SULLIVAN BROTHERS COMMEMORATIVE EVENT BANQUET COMMITTEE REPORT August 11, 1992 At present the committee is still planning for 1,000 people for the banquet on Friday evening, consisting of about 600 from the reunion groups and 400 from the general public. The Chamber of Commerce has a master mailing list of VIP's and will obtain a similar list from Cedar Falls. Committee members who have suggestions for the invitation list should see that Jim Wilson receives them. Deadline for registration for the banquet will be November 6, 1992. Banquet reservations will be coordinated through the Waterloo Chamber of Commerce. The committee will mail invitations 3 weeks prior to November 6, 1992. The set-up for the banquet will be 123 tables of rounds seating 8 people at each table. A head table for (16) people is being planned at this time. For decorations plans include a styrofoam ball in the center of each table with 4" x 6" size American flags (8 - one for each person at the table.) Streamers of red, white and blue will also be used. This will be done pie-style. The flags will be used in the closing ceremony. The committee plans to check with Dan Yates of the Waterloo Diamonds to see where they get their flags and how much they are. The committee has a source for flags at for each of them. Costs could be $34.50 plus flowers for the head table, an arrangement on each side of the podium. It is planned to hang full size American flags from the ceiling/rafters in the hall. Betty Wubbena will check with the American Legion to see if committee members can borrow their flags for the event. Invitations will include a return card and money envelope will be provided to return the card. BE CERTAIN TO GET YOUR NAMES IN TO COMMITTEE MEMBERS RIGHT AWAY. Cash bars will be placed in the lobby area of the Convention Center, Sullivan display side prior to the banquet. Committee members can be reached through the Chamber of Commerce in Waterloo.