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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-08-30-JSBCC-min.pdf A meeting of the Joint Services Bicentennial Coordinating Committee was 'Ield at Hanscom Field on Thursday, 30 August J_973 . 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 K . Damon, Concord' Laurence A Murray, Concord • Paul J . Flynn, Concord Robert D . Parks , Con,ord General Otis M. Whitney , Concord Kingston Howard , Lexington Raymond E . Barnes , Lexington Walter C O 'Connell , Lexington Robert W . Custance , Lexington Walter Spellman , Lexington Colonel W . W Parker , Fort Devens Commander William North, First Naval Distric, Lt Col John Dolan , National Guard Major William G . Flan.erty , National Gaurd Lt Col Joseph T . Ma .thorne , 94th USARCOM James D . Viggiano , Hanscom Field Major L . D Kjeldgaard , Hanscom Feld Major Kent L McDaniel , Hanscom Field Major Donald Rhoads , Hanscom ,Field John F Coughlin , Hanscom Field Colonel Jensen opened the meeting wIta ..,ol-rm .e- L,-out the discontinuance of niilitar flih opera, ens a_ Hanscom Field He invited the me-ribership to a-c'. T5na of an era" ceremonies on Friday morning duriwih would fly the last Air Force aircraft from Hansr c Pease AFB He noted tha7. the 94th TAG aircraft Aould leave around September 15th , at which time airport section of the Field would revert to the mas Port Authority. He thanked the towns , through 4:11 membership , for the exemplary cooperation receiver' over the years Colonel Jensen then called for a reading of minutes of the last previous meeting , which was held on June 28 , 1973 . Major Rhoads moved that , since all members had received copies by mail , the secretary dispense with the reading Mr Murray of Concord seconded the motion which was passed by voice vote Kingston Howard of Lexington then reviewed that town ' s plans to reorganize its bicentennial committee . He said that two persons would be taken on as full- time employees , one as an operations/administration specialist reporting directly to the Board of Select- men, and tl,e other a logistic, /planning project leader reporting to the Town Manager. From the present 17 member executive committee a new executive committee will be formed having not more than 9 members Colonel Jensen asked for suggestions about the format to be used .during the September meeting at which the Concord and Lexington Boards of Selectmen are to be briefed Mr Murray of Concord said that the committee might consider giving an rverview of the committee 's composition, then identifying problems in the various functional areas such as public safety, transportation, parking , etc . No decisions were taken immediately on the suggestion Colonel Jensen 'asked Major McDaniel to report on a public safety meeting he had attended at the offices of the Mass Revolutionary War Ricen.tennial Commission on September 20th Major McDaniel said that the purpose of the meeting was to develop an inventory of the security resources that could be available, on permanent or call bases , during the Bicentennial period, 1975-76 . He sub- mitted copies of the Commission ' s (MRWBC) Bicentennial Master Plan Outline Colonel Jensen directed the secretary to make a copy of the outline available to each committee member . Colonel Jensen called for sub-committee reports Robert Parks of Concord , reporting for the Hospitality Sub-Committee , said that meetings were being held in abeyance until functional specifics have been more clearly defined Pertinent considerations include the numbers of participants in both parades on April 19, 1975 , identification of units to remain in Concord and to be cared for by that town; and the precise official level of the honored guests definitely expected . 2 • When these factors are defined, a sub-committee meeting will be held to determine the menu, sources of box lunches for participants ; sources of refrigerated vehicles ; size and number of vehicles to handle this service , facilities available for hospitality to be offered to honored guests . As areas of need become known, sub-committee will consider promptly. A general discussion followed John Damon of Concord said- that some Concordians had been frightened by bicentennial publicity, but that parade planning was not wavering . Committee might have • to back off a little on numbers , but no insoluble prob- lems are anticipated Colonel Jensen suggested that , since the flight line at Hanscom Field would soon be turned over to the Mass . Port Authority, the Airport Manager should be appointed to membership on the Committee. There were no objections Colonel Jensen asked the secretary to prepare the proper correspondence Kingston Howard of Lexington reviewed that town ' s • plans On the morning of 19 April 1975 there would be a reenactment of the Battle of Lexington, followed by a morning parade , restricted to local uniformed par- ticipants Afternoon parade would include larger number of participants Major Kjeldgaard reported for the Construction Sub-committee Possible locations for canstruction of reviewing stands and comfort stations in Concord had been identified tentatively Problems include size of reviewing stands and security measures required . A discussion followed during which it wras pointed out that the President probably would not review parades , but would. be eagaged more in speaking engagements . Major Kjeldgaard. thought Concord ccuye offer sanitation support for some. 250, 000 people A general discussion of transportation ane tra.fc patterns followed The question was asked whether the Boston and Maine Railroad might not be able to get people in and out of the towns fast . Money and car inventory appeared to limit the feasibility of this plan Definitive action was deferred Walter O ' Connell of Lexington and Paul Flynn of Concord reviewed problems being considered by their towns . Mr . Flynn submitted a Concord Needs List which Colonel Jensen accepted and directed the secretary to circulate among the membership . Copies are to go out with the minutes . 3 MMMIMIMMIMMINNII Commander North stated that , as of 1 July 1974 , there would no longer be a Navy pier in Boston . Navy personnel in Boston at that time would be limited virtually to a Public Affairs Office Mr Flynn sai,d that Concord had contacted two Lincoln Laboratory experts who would study communications problems associated with the 19 April 1975 observance . Their recommendations would expedite and solidify planning . Major Flaherty of the National Guard said that medical support elements have been aware of the 19 April 1975 needs and when directed 1!..y.. proper authority, are prepared to implement medical evacuation plans . They have taken into consideration the requirements for medical evacuation planning submitted by the towns Further consideration has been given to resuscitation units , warning units , support of civil medical emergency facilities , and the development of a general medical service plan. Specific missions have yet to be identified . He stated that sufficient equipment is available to support - the plans Colonel Jensen noted that the plans unfolding seemed to encompass local , state and federal contingencies He suggested that certain state and federal officials be invited by the two towns to attend the 25 October briefing . It was agreed that the towns would issue a joint invitation over the signatures of the two chairmen . He believed that the suggestion as to the format for this meeting , made by Mr Flynn , should be adopted That suggestion was that each town use two briefers , the Town ,Chaitman to revieiir events , and an operations specialist to review logistics to support those events It was agreed . Kingston Howard said that Lexington would prepare a Needs List similar to Concord ' s in sufficient time for the Chairman to circulate the military tasks . Both towns agreed that they would be ready for the September dry run meeting The meeting was adjourned at 10 • 25 p .m. Next meeting : September 27 , 1973 in the Command Management Center, 1st floor , Bldg . 1606 , ESD Headquarters , Hanscom Field If directions to the CMC are needed, call the Ircretailit p,611317 or Autovon 478-5317 . 4 ' 44 livnto 41.COD L . JElpEN, R . 6o+efel , US,0 Chairman