City of Laredo, Texas Veterans Affairs Committee Meeting, 9 Aug 2023

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Veterans Affairs Committee Meeting 080823

A

A

We'll pay for them we'll pay foreign.

A

So this is the reason I'm here today, Mr chairman, just to let you know and give you an information on how we're doing that. As far as a park we're working on it, my councilman is taking care of the city, Side I'm, taking care of letting all the babies. So we have dedication. We can invite other awareness to be here.

B

Absolutely I really appreciate all the work.

A

B

C

Appreciate all the work you've.

A

Done. Thank you for.

C

Not only but this is the part that's going to be enjoyed by by everybody also.

B

C

It's and what you're saying is the third key is ready. It's operational already dedication, but I'd like to go back to the mention, because, obviously, but with us, we hold their Warriors in this committee and this neighborhood of our committee Community.

C

We need to sit down more often than others, so what you're saying is that the veteran that suggested, that is, that we can put ventures in for the name of the veteran. Is that what the representative correction of the.

A

C

A

I can buy one and put the name on my father and my uncle or.

C

You can buy one put your name right and that's going to be paid by the.

A

Veteran, you know also another thing one of the awareness mentioned to me. He asked me if we can put some type of uh playground for disabled kids, but the only part that we have for disabled case. The final mistaken is a normal rail. We have kitchen wheelchairs, Walkers or whatever, but you mentioned to me that some of the uh playgrounds on that part are broken down. So so he asked me if we could put some over here in the spark I said well, I'll bring it up to my customer.

A

Maybe we can do it so we have some people inside the window that take their kids all the way to normal weather, so they can enjoy the handicap part there. You know disabled part, so I'm glad we get up before my my city councilman. Now, uh if you guys have any questions the board or any questions.

D

You know how much they're gonna cost just.

A

Changing of any other word, it's going to be a minimal cost, because it's like when you rent uh uh foreign.

B

C

You choose the beef and Juice whatever it wasn't: kind of uniformity of the benches.

A

No, that's the thing Mr chairman I have to get the together with my city, councilman and we'll discuss that I mean we don't want to put yes.

C

A

I mean everything uniform.

C

A

Is the one you're gonna put all.

C

A

Me is the best thing to material.

E

S so uh maybe standardizing it the way he did fed the city on the veteran side like that to include the type of letters and the wording you can put on there. Yeah International Cemetery really allows them to put certain things on there. We.

A

Make sure that all all virtues are the same yeah.

E

That would be awesome.

D

Can you get back with us when you find out the uh the cost approximately but the cost, and when we can go and be at the uh I.

A

Know that the uh Monument across the street, from the from the cemetery, the other one they're, the ones that uh sell the branches there and I know that Advance costs about a thousand dollars to the risk. Marvel yeah and you can put whatever on it.

D

D

A

There any more questions.

D

Absolutely thank.

A

You for your time, sir. Thank you so much I appreciate.

C

A

C

Before we move into the uh later items, there's a couple of points that I'd like to make yesterday.

C

We are remembering honoring all of Corporal partnership. It's just for everybody's information also, tomorrow,.

E

Is a deadline to file for the backpack, so you want to buy them.

E

That is correct, they're talking about extending it, however, I don't have an official member saying that they are an extended. The best thing you can do is between today tomorrow just file an intent to file, and that gives you one more year, one more year together whatever it is, if you're not sure if you qualified or not, if you think you may or you think your brother cousin uncle nephews uh friends, uh there are better things might qualify or they might think just do the intent to file it takes five minutes.

E

You can do it at my office. You can do it at the at the clinic. You can do it over the phone at the 1-800-827-1000 number. Just make sure you do the Intensive file and that will buy you one more year.

E

uh It does have to be turned in and submitted before midnight to at 11 59 tomorrow, PM five, no later than 11 59 pm tomorrow will be early.

E

Even if there's a small chance you might qualify or you think you might just do the attempt to file if you don't or you don't want to do it after all, whenever again technical just goes away, nothing happens to it or you're not committed to anything. It's just for your protection to give you another year.

C

I, don't have all the information on the backpack, but I've been reading on it more interested in, what's going on with the fact that I know that the local VA had a Workshop a couple of weeks or so ago, and I was out of town I couldn't make it, but for the Vietnam veterans, if you served in Vietnam or I, believe it's 200 miles offshore.

C

Thank you for something like that. You're going to be covered under the agent orange. That's that's no doubt about it. It's presumed that uh that you have a problem with their generous, and so you automatically qualified the the Afghanistan Iraq Warriors. There's also very extent the area where, where you will qualified so like we still got to say nothing else. If you don't know exactly just file the intent which I'm going to do myself, I wasn't going to do it, but I am going to do it. It.

E

Won't hurt your if you already had 90, 100 and 5 at 10 it it it's, not it nothing to do with any of that stuff. It's just to hold the date. That's all it is. If so, because I have had veterans. Tell me well, it's because you know their quotations.

B

E

Nothing to do with any of that, it's just to hold the date. Give you one additional year. That's all it is so.

F

E

It's very important five minutes to fill out the intent and more.

C

Important uh is the health care that you're going to get if you are covered under this back, then, is more extensive but I understand than what we get right now and.

E

How it is I, don't know, and and when we all pass away and if we survive our spouse, then our spouse gets benefits. Because of that.

B

E

So, even if you're, not at 100 or if you have children that are under the age of 18 or under the age of 23 and going to college, they will benefit from that too. So it is that's what I'm saying, even if there's a small chance just do the intent.

E

uh It's the best uh thing that we just came from a training up in a college station uh for the entire State and are both Regional Offices, whether Waco and Houston and I won't go on anymore, but I'll just say. Both of them were emphasizing to tell all our veterans to do the incentive file.

C

Before we move on on with this meeting, I was just informed that I I t Department was not present and our meeting has not been recorded.

C

We are being asked that if we start our meetings from scratch and I would like to have the input of the community members as to whether they want to restart the meeting from the beginning or just continue and being recorded from this point on what are the wishes of the committee. The meeting that we started at 11 30 was not being recorded by the anti-department because they were not president. They requested that we start the meeting from scratch.

G

C

You please come to the podium, please whoever wants to address this issue.

A

G

For the record, I suggest that we continue the meeting, uh as as it is in this prison form, as opposed to restarting. Thank you, sir. Anybody else.

A

C

But she was but I, don't know where she's from she's there.

H

C

She could give the say something: oh, who is this sorry I can't see you that far.

A

C

Okay, with that, with that said, uh I will entertain a motion to continue the meeting. As of this.

F

C

In a second that we continue meeting as we started, all those in favor say: aye aye goes against the motion passes. We will continue the meeting from this point on, like we did at 11 30.. Thank you so much so anyway. uh Any other questions or comments on the fact that or any items that we have discussed uh with the.

F

I'm! Sorry, for that.

B

Yeah, absolutely yes! Yes,.

E

There's two more things that they added at least two that they added there's more coming down the pipeline. It just came from the train yeah.

C

If you served in Vietnam it doesn't matter what part of Vietnam.

C

Of Vietnam you already qualified under agent orange, that's funny other categories that you can qualify, but under all of us that were in country regardless what unit you were in, you will be covered under agent, arms and the benefits are. What I believe is is the health, because we are deteriorating us Warriors from Vietnam or the Tyrion faster than anybody else, and new new Wilderness are coming I've.

F

Already got 180 service.

C

Well, that's that's! That was my question.

B

C

Why I was not going to file because of that? But.

E

So it's easy! So are you at a hundred percent 10 years.

F

E

Okay, so Euro you'll be okay, because you are 100 10 years. However, if anybody else is at a hundred percent less than 10 years and they pass away of- let's say hypertension, which is one of the items that coming up for Agent, Orange, I'm, sorry for the pack act, then their family will be covered. That is less than 10 years, if you're at 90 or less for 30 years, it doesn't matter but you're, not at a hundred. Your family will be covered, even if it doesn't get you to a hundred percent.

E

So in your case, yeah you're good you'll be good because you hit 100 over 10 years, so you'll be good. Your family will be covered, no matter what happens all right, but the next veteran might not and that's why that's why the both Regional Offices, Waco and Houston.

I

E

To us to just tell everybody: it takes literally financially intent to file the hardest. Part is nothing we just direct submitted. You we can fax it in. You can fax it in if you mail it in it might be too late. Now, yes, sir,.

A

Yes, sir, uh that's the point of information. That's why I came back from Vietnam from 1970 to around 5 or 10 years later, I got a letter from the VA in Vietnam from this day this year and around this area to go and check myself for Adrian oil.

E

I did and I wasn't so I got a letter from the video and I went to the VA and, and they did find out that I was affected by anything Lawrence But, but so agent orange itself is not a disability.

E

The effects that come from right, so you can be exposed to it in Orange and be totally healthy and it just didn't affect it and you could have been exposed to literally where they were dropping them on the canopies in the jungles of Vietnam or or wherever.

E

So it's only if you got affected, if you had one of the known diseases that come from the effects of Agent Orange.

H

D

The service and it's actually herbicides, yeah.

E

So, uh like I said and.

J

There are veterans believe.

E

It or not and I've, seen them uh that were Vietnam were in designated areas and they don't have the diabetes. They don't have the heart issues. They don't have the skin issues. None of this stuff. It just affects people differently, I, don't know what the triggers are or that I'm, not a medical doctor, but I do know that uh it's the effects they come from, but.

C

Correct me again: Mr Russell, if I'm wrong, but this backpack will will cover if you cover under the fact that will cover your dependence, your family members.

E

Correct, are you talking about medical wise? Yes, no.

C

No! No! No! No! No! No! No! That's.

E

Something else that's the expensive, video I, think okay, but that's something different, but also due to Agent Orange. But that's uh that support the fact that comes from that.

C

But they're under 18 hours, there's multiple items that are covered: the diabetic, hypertension with different cancers, yeah.

E

So so that's why I'm saying like you might be healthy today, but if you develop it tomorrow, you know, and that does happen you know so not everybody develops it at the same age or same time like the investors.

A

I mean very in the system, but he said dorm yeah.

E

Or, or not, or not, or not, yeah, so that yeah that that that's a horrible disease.

C

Like I said just upon the information tomorrow is a deadline unless they extend it, uh they won't take. uh You can go online also, but uh I'd rather go in person, and then you think you.

E

Can take us five minutes to do it? It's a very short form. It's the signatures. Basically, at the end, all it does, it just holds the date. um That's.

C

Pretty much it okay, any other questions or comments. Thank you very much.

I

This is concerning those that have not filed if you have any questions filed for an intent. They'll give you another year to discover what exactly your qualify for right.

B

I

C

Okay, we're gonna move on to a items for discussion on the agenda. The first item we have is discussion with possible action by sabriel Ramirez route regarding the creation of a veterans community calendar and any matters incident there too.

C

C

Yes, yes as well, can you hear us.

C

C

Okay, with no uh no response, we will uh we will table this item so I'll entertain a motion to the tables here.

C

Very good, but what's the table and a second all, those in favor, say aye I promises motion will be tabled next item. An agenda has also been uh it's a discussion with possible action, but VFW represented regarding accountability of every veterans organization in the community. In any matters instantly too I've been advised at this this item they would like to table it. Also. So all entertainment motion to table that. The item uh item number two: don't move.

F

C

Yeah much in a second also some people say hi all right. Those against me. The motion passes item number three discussion with possible action by VFW representative regarding active service members to go in free to the rec centers and any manner incident there too.

K

Good afternoon Jeremy, yes for the record, uh just you know the cedar-radio rec centers parks and recs, any veteran I, don't know if you're aware any veteran could go to a rec center and it's free of charge. I don't know very.

E

K

Veteran that's a thing: it states better and that's why I'm here, okay,.

C

Yeah to have yeah- because the item says active service members, yes to.

K

Add active service members, yes to all service members, whether active or not active. The reason is: there's a lot of service members here on operation, Lone, Star, Assistance, Department, assisting Department, Homeland Security right, and this way they have a way out Sports kind of like ease their mind by physical activity. So they can use the gym. They can use the basketball court they can use my understanding is they like using the Haynes Rec Center racquetball, and that way we could spread the word and they could go out there and have some physical activity.

K

C

They cannot uh no, they can knock it off. No.

B

K

Don't we don't have.

C

K

City council members, yes,.

C

So we'll make sure that uh this particular item is sent over to the city council for for their consideration. Yes,.

E

Sir, can I create a question so if I heard you correct you're saying that right now as it stands, all rec centers are free of charge to Veterans as it stands to date without any modification right. So does that include like the pools and the uh Community fields and stuff like that, or is it.

K

Myself, when I spoke, when I spoke to uh Mr Gustavo the in charge of Haynes rexer, he did mentioned it's. It's free, 12 veterans, all the rec centers, no matter where you go, it could be the fastest I. Don't know all about the pools, though,.

E

Like the baseball fields,.

K

E

Whatever other fields are out, there even charge them no well yeah, I! Guess when you go in right.

K

I would get clarification, I could give them a call, and that way I could kind of like include more yeah for veterans.

E

And service members, because I know the pool like I, know a couple of veterans that go to the uh the North Central Park one and they have a class uh movement class in the water man I think they have to pay but I'm, not too sure. Well,.

C

I know when I start playing ball a couple years or years ago, we had to pay for the electricity to use the lights yeah.

E

Something so if yeah, if you don't mind anything, there's no Mr, if you have no good.

K

Approach I'll get more clarification, I mean I'll, get more clarification for that Mr Garza. But you know the the main.

E

Yeah, especially.

K

The ones here uh from San Antonio Houston Dallas Fort Worth they're, all from all over Texas yeah.

C

But this is used to me about veterans being able to use the rec centers for free. So that's something that uh that we need to put out through a community of veterans- yes, sir, and uh and see if that's that's the case and how how expansive it goes. You know to baseball fields and things like that yeah. So we appreciate the work you're doing, don't don't leave it handle because we're at the end of our items on the agenda and would like to bring back the uh your item on the Mia Korean, War veterans,.

I

C

Think any ideas working now record.

I

Yeah: okay? What about number four.

C

No Howard number number four. Yes on communities, oh, that was number three. The number one on the communications: oh okay, okay, gotcha,.

E

E

There we go face.

K

Up: okay, as you can see here, um this celebration of life, where uh sergeanto Garcia Jr uh passed away uh down in Korea his remains were found through DNA um he's going to be coming to Laredo his burial service. It's uh my understanding. It's going to be done through Fort Sam Houston are going to be providing the services, the military services for uh Sergeant Garcia Jr, it's going to be October 14th. uh The time is still to be determined.

K

Okay, um the nephew I believe it's Rolando Vera requested many veterans to attend the funeral and pay respects for the veteran um the VFW Post 9194 is in as well, where you're probably going to have also uh officials elected officers from other districts. Other cities come down here and pay their respects. Also.

K

K

This is also what I was sent from the nephew and I mentioned earlier. There's going to be another celebration of life, you can barely see it.

C

Well, well, you're doing that piano we have another meeting or so before this event happens, and we would like, as veterans and warriors to participate as much as we can under this.

C

Yes, this time that the family is receiving this this Warrior, but we also need an update from you how far we can go as an organizations that we represent in being able to to participate sure and what kind of parameters a family will allow us to do. Yes, sir, and.

K

C

F

K

C

The all the various organizations and the Warriors and veterans that we have here in our community will go out and I remember. The the David Lee uh procession was was really very impressive and and if their his family would like to have, that I mean obviously our this community will go all out in in accepting the remains of Sergeant Garcia. You said yes,.

K

C

As we let us know just how far we can go on that.

C

Obviously we have a a local chapter of the Korean War veterans, association and Mr. Sanchez is present so I'm sure that he's very much involved in what's going on and uh he's always done a great job with his organization and with veterans in general, but particularly the Korean War veterans.

F

Again for the records you just mentioned that we have a Korean War veteran organization, they, uh if I'm, not mistaken, I, believe we have about seven seven Korean, War veterans and I would like to make a motion that uh we do when we do have this ceremony of life for cresencio, that the Korean War veterans that are able to make the the the the funeral that they'd be uh uh honored as under pallbearers, and they uh if they can, that they leave their the the procession stay into the burial grounds. Absolutely.

C

That would be a great gesture in in the veterans part, especially how Mr Sanchez and his organization.

F

Mr Sanchez uh knows all of them and he even uh goes and picks them up and takes him with him. You know because some of them cannot drive anymore, but I would love for all the Korean War veterans to be a pallbearers at that funeral. That.

C

Would be something that they.

C

Good Adventure, but be right right with you. Mr Lopez could uh speak to the family because.

H

We're really in America.

H

Strong around 2010 or so because he's there considered active duty, uh yeah.

H

A few other directors.

H

They have to be coordinated through him, correct from the uh participation.

H

um That we had, but if I remember correctly, he was in charge of directing everything. So, uh yes, we can do all those things, but I think we're going to be very light and very conscious of as to coordinate with the director of the activity director that will be coming.

H

We put together the event so.

B

Thank you, Mr Lopez,.

C

You know the bottom line is that we have organizations here that will do whatever we can to honor uh this Warrior that's coming home and uh we like to do the right thing and not uh not be able to to hinder any of the family's wishes. Yes,.

I

K

Did I did call the number uh there's a 1-800 number and it's out of Fort Knox Kentucky uh I did speak to a lady. I do have her phone, uh her name my phone number. Now this is what she stated.

K

uh Mr Lopez is correct, like a CAC officer is going to be assigned uh to Sergeant Garcia right um most likely it's going to be like four fourth time, Houston doing the funeral detail uh since he did uh die while absolutely W and combat uh so we're just gonna wait till a officer is going to be assigned.

C

And obviously, just ask yes, sir, and and the gesture that was put forward by Mr Segovia because of the the Yeoman work that uh Mr Sanchez and his organization has done is is well worth mentioning. It's only going to be a honorary ball barrier. Yes, sir, and it's just a matter of the hard work that the Korean War veteran organization has put up to this community and and their membership. uh It's just just an honor all the way around. So if it cannot be done, then that's fine.

C

It cannot be done and just showing the presence. Thank.

K

C

J

My name is Ernesto Sanchez and I want to thank the BFW for taking over the ceremonies. I will be glad to do whatever they want me to do it we're only three that are walking, so we're not capable to do what they were going to do. So we want to thank them. Whatever they want. I can get my other two men and we can work together.

J

Anything they need would be glad to help God bless them and God bless you all.

C

With Sanchez I I feel that I can speak to all the Warriors in this room. You and this you are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for the work that you have done and continue to do at this time uh for all the veterans in our community. So again, we thank you for all the work you've done. I.

J

Follow these rules, the one that Lincoln said, no, nothing bad to anybody good good will to it to everybody. I also follow domenito Juarez, saying.

J

J

I respect you all to all my brothers and thank you for having me I am not considered an old man I'm only 94 anymore ago,.

C

I was going to ask that and.

J

Dr Silver promised that I will live to 102 and I will be on a wheelchair, but I told him to get me one with a motor, so I'll.

D

J

C

Any other comments or questions on this item.

C

I

A

A

Information on uh the fairground for the record. Another number three about the active members I know that uh right now they cannot go in free, but as long as the American city council say they can, they can go now. uh One thing about four about six years ago: the virus could go to a rec center, but during the rec center there was available to them was downtown and you had to pay for the membership. I think it was about 30 a year. So I spoke to my councilman at that time.

A

Rudy Gonzalez, and we did it away with that. We did a way with a a fee for the veterans and uh they could go to any Rec Center, because I mentioned I'm all the way downtown for about the beautiful North Laredo is Laredo Rio, so they did away with that now right now you don't you don't even have to uh apply for a membership in your driving license. It says veterans right. All you have to do just show your driver's license at the new rec center and they'll. Let you go in free.

C

Is that the policy right now or yes, sir, it.

A

Is that's a policy you don't have to to register to a BMI, but you told your driver license it's just veterans on the on the bottom and they'll. Let you go in free. Thank you for.

C

Your information appreciate it any other questions or summits.

C

Should we go yeah.

F

I, uh the communization I just received a a text from a instrument, and it says that this idea was brought up before and I wanted to suggest that the city creates a calendar for November and promotes to the public all organizations and businesses to submit their events going on at the same time, on the same day, a printable version, so that we can share it with our veterans in the month of November.

F

We are only three months away and we should have a calendar at least two or three months, to give our organized organizers enough time to plan. In other words, have the city or people submit what they'd like the schools? Are there a.

C

F

Of schools want us to participate in the veterans, uh uh honoring ceremony and so for each school to submit what day they plan to have it. So that not everybody has it on the same day, and that was one of the reasons that we spoke Mr with Mr aggregiano to not have it on Veterans Day, because there's too many events going on on that day and uh and so that everybody submit whatever events they're going to have. That's.

C

Right that is very true, yeah and I believe it was brought up by by the Black Widow organizations right and uh I believe that the council member Perez was going to take the lead on on this, and uh we need to put the item on the agenda again next next month, because it's something that is needed because of many different times during the year that we have so many conflicting events going on that we as veterans and warriors. We can attend all of them uh and.

F

The general public the same way, you know.

J

I'm sorry, this was item number one, the one that that was tabled. Yes,.

C

J

C

Isabella is not here so to bring us more more information, so I think we just need to bring it up for for next next meeting uh again and it's something that we we needed very badly.

C

But it's not the first time we discussed this and we need to get the council member Perez to see what uh inrose is she's made with the city council, because I believe they were going to take the lead on on this, with with the assistance of all the organizations that we have here, because we do need to have a community calendar.

C

So with that said, we just table the item and bring it back for for next week for September yeah. Yes, sir, okay, any other questions or comments, it is 12, 28 and I will entertain a motion to adjourning.

E

Number wait: you're missing number four yeah number four.

C

Item number. Four! Oh! Yes! Yes, sorry about that item number four discussion of possible action by VFW representative regarding a Veterans Museum in any matter, isn't it there too.

K

Jeff, you know the chairman uh fellow veterans committee members. Yes, sir I want to say. Like three weeks ago there was a city council meeting, I, don't know if you were aware and mayor Dr Trevino brought up the Veterans Museum. Okay, um it's at a standstill right now, it's it's uh Mr Trevino is actually here. uh Maybe he wants to talk on the on the museum.

K

Last time, councilwoman.

K

Perez try to do a town hall meeting, but it was shut down, so the vehicle I just texted Commander Gilberto Gonzalez, because on the item that was tabled earlier, unfortunately, he couldn't make it.

K

But he did authorize me to if the VFW wants to spearhead, like a town hall meeting, we'll we'll make it happen, all right um to get it going, because this is just getting kicked down. It's it's getting kicked down the road and like Mr, Ella Alvarez fellow veterans,.

K

To be blunt, y'all getting older and most of us most of y'all are not going to see Avengers Museum. If we keep doing this right, it's it's just we gotta we gotta speak to. You know what we got to say what we feel, but in a professional manner.

K

We can't be, you know, yelling, we can't be criticizing.

K

um Like we did last time.

K

Is that better go ahead, so we got to get it done, it's not only for us, but also for the future kids that we have for our children for our grandsons, for the elementary schools for the Middle School for the high school students that they want to see fat little laredoins veterans in a museum. What it's about like I, told them? It's like. Let's be honest: if a kid, if you took a kid, what do you want to see a Veterans Museum or a water? Museum?

K

Let's be honest, you know they're going to say this. If the city can build a sports part, a baseball field like almost 50 million and and the county could also build a County Fairground for a lot more. But yet we we don't come together for a Veterans Museum and we got to put everything aside. We got to be transparent.

K

We got to put everything aside and be honest with ourselves to make it happen, and the VFW, if you want, will spearhead it and we'll have some kind of action some um meeting and see where it goes because Council looks at us and- and they already know it's just bickering- it's just. We all know it.

K

So, let's uh chairman.

C

He said yeah I know all I can say is that these committee voted or not. Having have you seen, a Veterans Museum had a particular address and his group we're on record and it was stable and this community is not in favor of a Veterans Museum at this address, not that we're not in favor of a museum okay, but we have to understand that there's many issues that come with the museum and the first one.

C

The way it is that the way that the money that we're talking about the way, the money that was made of accessible for this location is encumbered to that location. And it's not our problem. It's not the veterans, it's the city council in the county that did this and that's why it's been going on for what 20 years I don't know how long it's been I know that Mr Trevino and that group of provided us with a brochure with a low cancer information.

C

The problem also is that we just can't say we're going to have a museum. The average salary of a museum curator is 65 000 a year who's going to pay for all of those things and those those are those particular items. Those issues have not been discussed as far as I know. The city doesn't want to do it.

C

They got a million dollars but I understand, but that's just not even brick and mortar that just the the planning stages that's going to cover that and then you're going to have who's going to run it who's, going to pay the electrical bills and the utilities and the salaries and things like that. So yeah it it's there and you're right. You don't want to.

C

We don't want to take the the bucket down the road or so to speak, but there's other issues that the veterans, in my opinion anyway I for one, would rather have health care than a museum that we still need some some more.

C

But we passed my organization passed a resolution to that effect to that effect, that if we are going to spend some money in in a museum and and lack in health care that we, the older Warriors or in more need than the younger Warriors, we rather have health care than a museum. But that's just my organization.

C

We got 12 other organizations here and other people, so it is an issue that is very volatile, to say the least, because there's a lot of unknowns that we don't know, but all I can say is that we, as a committee, already voted against a museum, a various museum at its particular location and I. Don't know the address. That's why I'm saying in a particular location, but other than that I mean we, as veterans can, as a group are obviously open for discussion on whatever issue will benefit the quality of life and the veterans.

C

That's why I chose to to accept this position as chairman, because that is the goal that I've been working along with all of you to improve the quality of life of our veterans and the families. If a veteran Museum does that, then I'm, all in favor of sorts.

K

No, it's understanding and I understand you completely.

K

At the same time, that's why you have the county and the city coming together, plus the veterans. Now you just you you're talking about the contract and the naming you don't have to go just with that one just because the contract says well, that's fine and then do you want with the contract. You leave the contract there and move on to something else.

K

You don't have to automatically stick to that contract.

H

D

H

uh I think it's important that um not African and I also confirm what the German is saying, but there's been one important factor that we all need to look up and we really need to understand the history behind it and how that interlevel agreement came about. Okay, if uh uh it's it's like the children, the standard. There are a lot of river factors. He didn't want to pursue that as a non-profit, there's, nothing that we cannot do.

H

Not everybody in reality, there's a third part.

H

No longer exists, foreign.

H

C

Thank you, Mr Lopez and you're. Correct I mean that that money is in the hands of the county and the city and and we as a as a committee that we are, we can't we can't stop him from doing whatever they want, so that money is controlled by the county and the city, and they keep telling us that it cannot be moved to any other location. Any other project or anything like that. So it is. It is something that's done way before this committee was was formed. But again it is.

C

It is something that would be for for the veterans and and the community that we have a truly good Veterans Museum, and that's only two that I know of in the state of Texas that are really very being used by the state of Texas and the one that I'm thinking is in Houston I, believe that's, probably the most successful one and the other one I forget where it's at, but there's only two museums in the whole state of Texas that are really or been viable, and all this all this time for for the communities well vulnerable.

C

For that. For that matter, but it's going to be up to to the elected officials where they want to do it or not, because you're correct I mean they, they built all kinds of sports facilities and and other social for other social events. A museum would be a great thing for us to be able to to our children and the community goals, but there's other issues that we as veterans are facing at this time, come in, but for this particular money that we're talking about, we have no say so whatsoever.

C

I mean we can save whatever we want, which we already have and- and our commitment here from this committee by the majority of vote- is that that money that we were not in favor of that location and it's in the hands of the of the city city politicians to see what they want to do.

K

Yes, sir, no now I understand I understand. If I could yes go ahead,.

I

If I heard you correctly, you were talking about spearheading what the.

K

Stakeholders meeting so that's my network, bringing everyone together and trying to find an Avenue approach. How to you know, go about those speed bumps that we have it's. Everyone, managed organizations and City entities, governments coming together and trying to figure out for once and for all to.

I

Make it happen, so what you want to do is.

B

H

Mr Lopez Mr Lopez just a minute. Please.

H

It turned out to be a birthday party.

H

A public entity that would call everybody together, we'll representative everybody. There was a huge favor everybody.

H

They presented their kids.

H

And I can recall from here, but it was uh I want to say 2015 2016 Maybe, uh so yeah.

H

That the public showers at the emergency vehicle was just on here and finally over that mission. But.

I

D

H

D

If you want to do it, then I'm.

H

With you, but just so you know, you have a good price.

B

Thank you, Mr Lopez,.

I

I'm back to what we were talking about, um you're going to research and bring us information on what is possible because the the the the matter of the museum at that location is already at that issue and you're going to bring up a new resolution.

K

All right come in here like if I, if this is Ricardo quijano speaking, not as as a VFW member, because I haven't spoken to uh the officers right coming here and doing this it'll it'll. Be then you might some of you might see it wrong. Right!

K

I could go to City council members and spearheaded through the VFW right and I'm, just letting you all know as a courtesy of what's going to happen. But I know it's going to be a lot of pushback, because that that's why I'm here also at the same time for communication for Unity for cohesion, are.

K

Church, that's just a millions of us that Peters I when I went to the council meeting I. You know what I did tell the council members. If you want to make. If you want to make it happen, you're gonna grab the Bulls by the horn and just make it happen.

C

I know what I can say, as chairman of this committee, is that we welcome any and all projects, ideas, issues that will improve the quality of life of this. This community veterans, yes veteran committee.

C

Obviously, if that's something that your organization wants to do, we will welcome your comments and your your opinions and whatever you want to present to this committee and we'll act on it accordingly, when the time comes, uh if we are talking about the seed money that we have been talking about all this time, we keep hearing the same stories and and like like Mr Robert, has said that this community is already acted on that issue. We have no control over it whatsoever.

C

However, we do control whatever we say here and whatever we vote on and then we take it, take him to the city council and they do whatever they want to do with it, but certainly we will make known our wishes if you come up with a plan that and put it to the vote, I will certainly listen to you and live on it.

C

Yes, and we, we also thank you for all the work that you do and all these different projects on the organization, everybody's organizations, because it's not easy, we're coming out here and doing what we want to do- to improve the quality of life of our veterans and and for all of all of you that do that. We thank you. So if you have an idea that you want to bring to this committee, we will listen to you. Yes, sir, your work will not go in vain.

C

How they're going to vote? There's, not no telling, but will they certainly listen to it and we'll put it to a vote and see where it goes. Yes, sir. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir.

A

Iano, yes, sir, um if I major for a regular Philadelphia I know this thing about the machine has been going on for a long time since and and you're right. We voted against a certain place for the museum. Now I tend to be corrected, but uh I understand that uh all post office downtown belongs to the city correct. There will be a good site for the museums, just a recommendation. It.

C

It certainly could be, and- and uh it like I said, the issue has been that this money has been encumbered and they cannot be moved and you and I know better than that. Yes, sir, it was designated for that and that's, but it can be understated. Yes, sir.

A

You and I know that that's it uh I just want to let you know that we do have that all post office building. Maybe we can look into that absolutely thank.

C

You, sir, thank you any other comments.

C

Okay, so it is now 12, 45 and I will entertain a motion to adjourn motion.

G

C

We have Motion in a second all, those in favor, say aye aye,.

A

C

Warriors, thank you very much again and like I said before. I will give time to anybody that has anything to say to improve the quality of life community.