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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-10-30-JSBCC-min.pdf 1 A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee was held at the Hanscom Air Force Base Officers Club on Wednesday, October 30, 1974 Colonel Hugh Miller presided in the absence of Colonel Sigurd L Jensen, Jr The meeting was called to order at 8 p m Attending, in addition to Colonel Miller, were Robert Tarlin, Lexington John Damon, Concord Francis X Brady Fred Hafer, Bedford Leo Talbot , Fort Devens Lt Col Thomas N Kane, 804th Hospital Center Major William Flaherty, National Guard Lt John McElwain, Coast Guard Captain Jay Swander, Hanscom AFB Major Donald Rhoads, Hanscom AFB John Coughlin, Hanscom AFB Colonel Miller suggested that , since all members had received minutes of the September meeting by mail, the reading here was unnecessary There were no objections Colonel Miller advised the group that the Navy representative, Commander William North could not be present at this meeting but had passed on certain suggestions to the members If the towns want the Navy (Norfolk) Band, application should be made immediately to Lieutenant Peter Chase, Aide to the Commandant , First Naval District headquarters, 495 Summer Street , Boston, MA 02210 Application for Naval Academy participation should be made by letter to Admiral Mack, Academy Commandant There has been no confirmation of the assignment of the Navy (Washington) Band to 19 April 1975 observances here John Damon asked about the status of a Concord letter to the Coast Guard headquarters in Washington Lt McElwain said that one boat might be available for river patrol, but no firm commitment had yet been authorized He saw no legal problem in- volved, but there was still some question about propriety Leo Talbot said that firm commitments had been received for 19 April 75 participation by a West Point marching unit and color guard The West Point Band has not yet been firmly committed Mr Talbot reminded the group that the Towns must provide funds for bus transportation to carry the West Point contingent from the Academy and return He estimated the cost to be $3500 John Damon said that Pease Air Force Base would be asked about the possibility of airlifting the West Point contingent Robert Tarlin said that Lekington had been advised that the National Guard support of the 19 April observance would be restricted to medical activities This has been worked into the town ' s plan- ning Added police protection is being, hired as the Town 's budget permits A discussion of Presidential invitations followed Lexington wants the President on April 20 , 1975 , while Concord wants him on the 19th Minuteman National Park would like to have him also All would be willing to revise their plans to fit the President ' s schedule Fred Hafer asked whether Bedford should continue to express concern about bicentennial traffic to the Governor Bob Tarlin thought that this should be done Mr Tarlin noted that State and local police had studied the traffic problem and had reached several conclusions A report noted that Concord and Lexington could expect about 35,000 automobiles Lexington has sufficient parking areas to handle this number Concord, according to the study, can handle about 8,000 Hanscom Air Force Base could park another 10,000 , the occupants then walking to the parades The last conclusion offers several problems which the trans- portation subcommittee studies last August Some progress has been made toward securing shuttle buses to transport the people from Hanscom parking areas to the parades Fred Hafer said that Bedford might be able to take a small portion of the load from the other Towns ' backs Carlisle is handling shuttle buses down Lowell Road on April 19th Mr Tarlin told the group that a young women resident of Hanscom Air Force Base had called his office to ask how she could help with bicentennial projects He asked whether the committee should come up with ideas about how Base residents would like to celebra-e the bicentennial Should the Towns consider Hanscom resi- de residents for the purpose of planning? Major Rhoads suggested the Base Newspaper be used to inform people of bicentennial events, community needs, and to relate these things to Air Force thinking Bob Tarlin promised to keep the editor advised of plans and activities , which would interest Base esidents Major Flaherty wondered about the accuracy of the assessment of National Guard support He thought that support would encompass more than the medical area He would discuss this with Colonel Dolan and keep the committee informed of actions which would impact on plans He cited the current standby status of Guard Units as the sort of contingency that affects plans Major Flaherty will meet with Red Cross representatives to review tailgating plan Major Rhoads noted that the holiday season was almost upon us , and the plan was to defer meeting again until after the holidays This puts us into January, less than 90 days before the big event He suggested that everyone think about his particular situation, come in to the Secretariat with questions , and try to firm up all plans at the January meeting Bob Tarlin agreed and suggested that we be prepared to hit the problem areas hard for the last time There being no further business, Colonel Miller adjourned the meeting a( ' p . . L L ) /Sr L JE ,N, J, USA ,