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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-03-26-JSBCC-min.pdf A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee was held at Hanscom Air Force Base on Wednesday , 26 March 1975 Colonel Sigurd L Jensen, Jr presided The meeting was called to order at 7 30 p m Attending in addition to Colonel Jensen , were John Pinigan , Concord John Damon , Concord David Emerson, Concord Robert Tarlin, Lexington Raymond Barnes , Lexington James Broderick , Lexington Nathaniel Brown , Bedford David Moffitt , National Park Captain James Kincaid , National Guard Lieutenant John McElwain , Coast Guard Leo Talbot , Fort Devens Major A T Brainerd, Fort Devens Captain C R Corey , Fort Devens Captain James Kirk, Army Old Guard Lt Colonel Thomas N Kane , 804th Medical Center Nick Scurto , Hanscom AFB James Viggiano , Hanscom APB Major Fred Barrett , Hanscom AFB Joseph Besso, Hanscom AFB Lt Colonel Earl Milam, Hanscom AFB Captain Jay Swander, Hanscom AFB Captain W H Lundquist , Hanscom AFB Captain R G Donovan, Hanscom AFB Wes Chavis , Hanscom AFB John F Coughlin, Hanscom AFB Colonel Jensen noted that this was the last general meeting of the Committee and asked whether there were any loose threads that should be considered now He said that the town of Lincoln had requested a radio capable of communicating with its civil defense helicopters Wes Chavis , who had volunteered to search for this radio , told the group that he had located and secured four more variable frequency units They would be delivered to Colonel Jensen 's office Colonel Jensen said that when the radios were ready for pick-up by the Towns he would pass the word The representatives picking up the radios would be given instructions in their operation James Viggiano said that there was a slight power problem involved in the public address setup at Concord When that is overcome , the communications systems will be set to go He said that some help from National Park authorities would be needed to site the speakers David Moffitt said that help would be available Major Barrett noted that there was no longer a requirement for refrigerated vans Leo Talbot said that it was his under standing that the vans were being gotten through commercial sources Colonel Jensen stated that he had approved a request to locate a detachment of the National Guard at Ilanscom APB , in reserve status , on April 19th Frank Hidinger noted that a group of State Police would be located at Ilanscom field in reserve status on April 19th He said that there would be twelve helicopters operating in the area on Patriots Day , and that there would he a 2500 ft minimum over Concord and Lexington A meeting of the pilots would he held at the Ilanscom AFB Officers Club on Thursday (27 March) at 2 p m Captain Lundquist reported that the two flatbeds requested by Lexington were all set to go Wes Chavis reported that he had located a PA system and backup for Lexington Lieutenant McElwain of the Coast Guard asked whether Hanscom AFB would be open on 18 April Colonel Jensen assured him that it would he , that Coast Guard aircraft could come in and use his ramp area , but that no ground handling equipment would he available from the Air Force Frank 11.idinger noted that , should the President come into Ilanscom, the field would he closed one half hour before he arrives , and remain closed until one half hour, after his arrival John Finigan outlined several contingency plans for application in the event that the President should attend the Patriots Day ceremonies in Concord He noted that it might he difficult because of traffic constrictions , to move backup men and material to pressure points after festivities begin on 19 April He urged the group to grind this consideration into contingency plans He reiterated his personal appreciation , and that of Concordians generally , for the support given the ' 75 Committee by the military Raymond Barnes and Robert Tarlin thanked the committee for its cooperation and support over the planning period Captain Kincaid of the National Guard told the group that Colonel Flaherty was unable to attend this meeting because of an organizational meeting of the Guard He passed on Colonel Flaherty ' s assurance that all plans and agreements entered into 2 by the Guard, relative to April 19th were fully coordinated and ready for implementation Colonel Kane said that the 804th Medical Center would have a combat support hospital operating at Fort Devens on April 19th At Colonel Jensen ' s suggestion , lie promised to contact the Hanscom Aril Clinic Commander to explore the possibility of placing some medical personnel of the 804th in place at Hanscom on Patriot ' s Day David Emerson of Concord expressed the hope that this committee would not disband completely after the Patriot ' s Day festivities The Committee , in his opinion , is a very effective tool with which to build military/community cooperative effort Colonel Jensen called for new business John Damon said that Concords General Orders had been cut and would be mailed to all participating agencies by April 2nd He asked to talk to the Old Guard representatives after this meeting Colonel Jensen instructed the secretary to solicit after-action reports from all agencies late in April These should be appended to the Committee 's Meeting minutes A complete set of the minutes , with appendages , should be forwarded to every agency involved with the activities of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee The master file should be given to the ESD Historian for permanent retention Colonel Jensen suggested that a disestablishment party be held some time in May He offered the Hanscom AFB Officers Club as the site and the services of Major Rhoads as coordinator Word will be circulated to all members in sufficient time for planning James Broderick reported that Lexington ' s parade order would be cut next week, and would be circulated immediately after pub- lication He noted that the parade route is a closed loop and that some 200 busses could be handled at the High School and contiguous street areas The parade would take about 2 1/2 hours and refreshments would be available for participants in the busses after they concluded the march and were waiting for clearance to depart Nathaniel Brown asked about the status of his request for a back pack Radio to be used in Bedford Colonel Jensen assured him that the radio would be available , that he would call Mr Brown when it was ready, and that the Bedford courier would be thoroughly instructed in the operation of the unit when he came to pick it up 3 There being no further business , Colonel Jensen adjourned the meeting at ' p m up2 / 7 f/ 1/9 . v.. 4 , ..,: � � " S ,U n , JShN• ' 4