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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-05-30-JSBCC-min.pdf ^ s. i A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee was held at the Hanscom Field Officers' Club on Thursday 30 May 1974« /a (� ' Colonel Sigurd L. Jensen, Jr presided. 90 The meeting was called to order at 7 30 p. m. Attending, in addition to Colonel Jensen, were Lt. Col. Thomas N Kane 804th Hospital Center Joseph Manthorne 901st John Finigan, Concord John Damon, Concord Laurence Murray Concord Robert Tarlin, Lexington Raymond Barnes Lexington Major A. T Brainerd, Fort Devens Major General Otis Whitney Concord Lt. Col. John Dolan, Mass National Guard Arthur Flynn, Congressional Aide Frank Hidinger Mass Port Lt. John McElwain, Coast Guard Lt. Col. Earl E Milam, Hanscom Field Captain Gerald Ogden, Hanscom Field Major Donald G Rhoads Hanscom Field John F Coughlin, Hanscom Field Colonel Jensen asked Mr Finigan to recap Concord's Patriot's Day activities (19 April 1974) highlighting any problems that should be attacked now Mr Finigan said that this past celebration Was a restricted attempt at a '75 dry run. The critical area of communication received intense con- centration and all systems went well. Authorities at all functional levels were happy with the general ability to communicate. The command post functioned perfectly The coverage, in conjunction with the Airborne helicopter was outstanding Police communications were very good. Attendance was up but probably less than can be expected next year The makeup of participating units was substantially different from the '75 plan. There were small problems encountered in parade timing, but from this experience corrective measures can be adopted for the bicentennial. The management scorecard for '75 will be different, and '75 authorities couldn't impose requests for dry run tests But as observers they learned a lot. For example some disciplinary pressures will be injected to im- prove timing and spacing. Colonel Jensen asked about youth participation in the '75 parade Mr Finigan said that stringent, but realistic rules would be adopted. The routine "stroll" attitude heretofore permitted, would be eliminated. Mr Damon emphasized that Concord wants to have its youth groups involved, but much attention would be given to spacing, etc No hedging from a tough parade order would be tolerated. Colonel Jensen asked Mr Tarlin for a review of Lexington's Patriot's Day experiences Mr Tarlin reported that Communications the main area checked, was completely satisfactory The helicopter blended perfectly with the system. Two uses for the copter in '75 are planned, including sealing off parts of the Town and checking control points Visibility from the Copter was outstanding. Mr B arnes said that this was the most successful parade in over ten years Communication, timing, spacing were all exemplary Crowds were up, but were only about half of the numbers expected in '75 Youth groups will participate in '75 It is the view of the Celebrations Committee that the age of the marchers should be monitored by the leaders of units All functions will be reviewed so that the reasons for this out- standing success will be known. Colonel Jensen asked about military help for next year Mr Finigan asked that concentrated and immediate attention be given to systematizing the transport of those marching elements programmed for both Concord and Lexington in '75 As guests of Concord, it is the '75 Committee view that Concord supply lunch for participants Confusion in getting box lunches to the proper busses could develop A foolproof system should be developed. A marshaling area is needed for distribu- tion of food, cleanup and delivery to Lexington. Mr Damon expressed his belief that about 4000 participants would be going to Lexington from Concord. It is hoped that the last unit would pass the reviewing stand in Concord at 11 30 a. m. Busses should be so aligned that participants can board them immediately upon leaving the line of march. n Mr Tarlin suggested that the problem was not insurmountable If participants get on the busses with lunches in place the busses can proceed to Lexington High School. Cleanup crews will get on the busses there to remove trash. Toilet facilities will be available at the high school. A discussion about timing followed. Mr Finigan recommended that Mr Barnes of Lexington and Mr Parks of Concord get together to work out the timing details It was agreed. Mr Finigan posed the question of VIP attendance at the '75 Concord luncheon. Lexington might have a demand on some of them. Dr Bruce Alda and Mrs McNally are Concord's point of contact on this matter Lexington's appointee should work out details with them. Colonel Jensen said that General Bellis had reconfirmed previous requests for Air Force Academy and Air Force band and Strolling String participation in the '75 programs He suggested that all of the services do the same Colonel Jensen asked Arthur Flynn about Congressional interest in bicentennial activities Mr Flynn stated that in his opinion congressional interest recently seems to have been reinforced. Mr Tarlin said that he had recently gone to Washington to confer with authorities and that Congressional and Pentagon officials seem very interested in the Concord and Lexington plans He had discussed use of the National Guard for crowd control, and that Congressman Paul Cronin had expressed belief that a decision from National Guard authorities could be expected by mid fall. Colonel Dolan said that the National Guard position on this had not changed. He said that the National Guard members would be especially busy for the next 60 days preparing for summer encampment. He said that Thursday evenings are usually busy ones for National Guard officers and suggested that Committee meetings in the future be scheduled for Wednesday evenings It was unanimously agreed that the meetings be held on Wednesday evenings Colonel Kane said that he had reached an agreement with Major Flaherty of the National Guard on medical coverage of the '75 events It was agreed that the 804th Hospital Center would handle Concord and the National Guard Medical Units would cover Lexington. Colonel Jensen complimented Colonel Kane and Colonel Dolan for taking this kind of positive action. A discussion of Base police coverage of VIP arrival was held. Captain Ogden noted that the total Base Security force would be available on Hanscom Field to cover such arrivals Colonel Jensen asked that as many sub-committee reports as possible should be presented at the next committee meeting. He noted that we are now only about ten months from the target date Colonel Kane said that the medical interests would meet before the next general session. Colonel Jensen directed the secretariat to schedule meetings on the last Wednesday of each month from now on. He said that the next meeting would be held on - .net June 26 1974. There being no further business the -et ng was .djou ed . 10 p. m. E . A_ �I SI f 'DLL. JE Co' - el, USA