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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-09-25-JSBCC-min.pdf A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee was held at the Hanscom Air Force Base Officers Club on Wednesday, September 25 , 19/4 Colonel Hugh Miller, recently arrived Deputy Base Commander at Hanscom Air Force Base presided In the absence of Colonel Sigurd t Jensen, Jr who was on military leave of absence The meeting was called to order at 8 p m Attending, in addition to Colonel Miller were John Finigan, Concord John Damon, Concord Laurence A Murray, Concord Arthur Flynn, Congressional Aide David Moffitt , Nat Park Service Commander William North, First Naval District Leo Talbot, Fort Devens Robert Tarlin, Lexington Major William Flaherty, National Guard Major Donald Rhoads, Hanscom Air Force Base John F Coughlin, Hanscom Air Force Base Colonel Miller asked Major Rhoads to lead the discussions, since he had not had time to get up to speed on the status of the Committee 's work Major Rhoads assumed the position of moderator Under old business Leo Talbot advised that from 19 April 1975 commitments had been made for the Army ' s Old Guard, the 18th Army Band Prom Fort Devens The number of Army marching troops was still uncertain, and negotiations with the Military Academy at West Point were 'till underway He noted that there would be Sufficient number of helicopters available to satisfy the local needs John Damon stated that he was pleased with the program of the Army ' s plans Commander North said that Navy progress was a little dis- appointing The Navy Bands ' schedules have been worked up to January 1975 Scheduled appearance,3 beyond that date will not be known for at least another month Nothing has been forthcoming from the Naval Academy at Annapolis He advised that the Towns should communicate with the Academy Superintendent post haste, and he gave members the proper mailing address to use A conference on ship scheduling will be held in the near future Commander North warned that funds are quite limited The port fee in Boston is from three thousand to five thousandoll rs for three days The picture is not pretty for those who want ships (- to to vi .it such as the Concord The inviting agency might be asked to supply the funds--to support the visit The Naval Bicentennial officr, at the Pentagon will discu, the Concord and Lexington with the f'hi( P of Naval Operations, hut, money will be a constricting I' i.ctoi commander North ha a w (.Dann( rcial telephone number in Boston It i. John Finigan noted that the Marine Band has participated in Concord observance regularily over the years He asked whether the hortage of Navy funds affected the Marine Band, and if so , what avenuc.a might In. taken to secure the Band ' s services for 19 April 1975 Commander North indicated that he was not speaking for the Marine„ and that quo tinns about the Rand should be addressed to the Corps Leo 'Talbot said that he was still checking the availability of the West Point band Major Rhoads said that the Coast Guard representative couldn't attend thin meeting, but had discussed matters over the phone It seems that the local Coast Guard officials cannot commit resources for the bicentennial This is done by an ad hoc bicentennial com- mittee in Washington The request previously submitted by the Towns are with the committee John Damon noted that Concord had received assurance from the Coast Guard that it would be happy to participate but que tions of funds and housing had to be considered Major Rhoads read a letter from Major General James F Allen, Superintendent of the Air Force Academy , which assured General Rallis of participation on 19 April 1975 , in Concord and Lexington, by the Fourth Class Rifle Drill Team (80-100 cadets) and the TJSAFA Color Guard John Finigan said that Concord intended to invite several former ESD Commanders to the bicentennial functions, and he asked where invitations to Secretarial level military stood Major Rhoads said that the current names and addresses of the Secretaries would be forwarded to Larry Murray Mr Finigan asked Commander North for the address of retired Captain Pinkepank, whom Concord also intends to invite Larry Murray praised the work and the report of the 357th Army Civil Affairs Group, which had used its two-week active duty stint to study local bicentennial problems Bob Tarlin noted that the 35th report was excellent , but that Reserve Unit which studied Lexington 's problems wasiless than effec- tive II ' suggested that all members secure a copy of the 357th report and dig( $L its recommendations before the next general meeting The report might then be made the subject of the logistics portion of the meeting lie noted that , although the report is addressed to Concord ' s functions, the committee should remember that Lexington 's needs are dimilai He asked where the 150 oil drums promised to Lexington were stored Major Rhoads suggested that Nick Scurto be contacted on this subject Colonel Miller said that , during the recent Hanscom Air Force Base Open Ilou.e conducted by the 8011th Hospital Center, plastic bags attached to trees proved effective as trash containers He suggebted that the Towns might constder this system John Finigan reviewed military participation in the 19 April 1975 parade He understood that Air Force participants would be supported by IIanscom Air Force Base--quarters , food except for box lunches The Army participants would be supported by Fort Devens The Navy problem is considerably different and nothing can be promised until it is known who and what would be coming to the 19 April 713 functions Major Flaherty said that nothing had changed in the National Guard plans The Surgeon General has said that the health and afety of the people in Concord and Lexington during the functions must be protected, but no order has been issued The order will come from the Adjutant General of the Commonwealth Major Rhoads said that he would represent the Committee at the SILC meeting on September 26th He would suggest , at that meet- ing, that the various Towns contact the Adjutant General for medical assistance in bicentennial programs Bob Tarlin asked Major Flaherty if he would check with the Lexington Red Cross unit on their plans for medical assistance Major Flaherty said that he would check John Finigan expressed concern about the 2 1/2 million dollar bond issue for bicentennial support If the bond issue passes, what- ever is needed for a National Guard pay clay would flow He wondered whether this was not now the case It has not been verified that money is not now available for a pay day The key question is whether 19 April 75 is considered a drill day, and the Guard members can be paid from State funds The pay question is essentially - political, and we need a prompt answer to it Larry Murray addressed the Joint traffic problem Concord believes that the Regional Planning group study should continue The recent report has pointed up the limits of local authority, and the Commonwealth should step in Bob 'I' .3illn noted that the State was working on this problem on a regional basis , and that traffic emgineers were deeply involved in the detail right now David Moffitt reported that the National Park plans are pro- ceeding smoothly According to the cont! actor. the Visitors Center will hu completed in April , three months ahead of target Hod Tarlin said that Lexington was raising money in various way One method is the sale of commemorative medals He wondered whether one might be displayed at the Officers Club to show visitors and member' what the medals look like Major Rhoads will check this out with the Base Commander when he returns from leave Major Rhoads asked the members whether there were any thoughts about continuing the meetings on a monthly basis , since we seemed to he well down the road in our planning Bob Tarlin thought that we should so that absolutely nothing would fall through the cracks John Finigan noted that we probably wouldn't meet in December, because of the holidays , but that we should meet monthly otherwise Thus decided , Major Rhoads asked that the representatives submit agenda items about a week before each meeting so that nothing would be overlooked Agenda items can be given to Major Rhoads or Jack Coughlin on 861-5316 or mailed to their attention at the LSD Information Office There Nein: no further business, Major Rhoads returned the gave" :o Colo. illerr who adjourned the meeting .. 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