Eastern MontanaStateVeteransCemetery Advisory Council
Meeting Minutes
May 10, 2007
Wayne Carlson, Cemetery Sexton, Montana Veterans Affairs Division, called the meeting to order at 1 p.m. The meeting was held in the VFW Hall in MilesCity. Present at the meeting were:
Edith Pawlowski – VFW Auxiliary Circle
Myrtle F. Meissner- VFW Auxiliary Circle
Jess Erickson – VFW and DAV
Irene Sallgren, State VFW Aux
Ray Sallgren, VFW
Clair Bolton, American Legion
Pauline Bolton, American Legion Aux
Joe Stevenson, CusterCounty Commissioner
Tony Harbaugh, CusterCounty Sheriff/Coroner
Alexander Russell, M.O.P.H
Gwen K. Wacker, Visitor
Bill Hopkins, DAV
Kurt Holmlund, Eastern MontanaStateVeteransCemetery
Wayne Carlson, Cemetery Sexton, MVAD
The meeting opened with Wayne Carlson leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Wayneensured that everyone received a copy of the minutes of the Advisory Council Meetingheld October 19, 2006. A motion was made and seconded that the minutesof this meeting be approved, as written.
Reports of the cemetery program’s budget and veteran license plate sales were distributed to each member. Wayne pointed out that as of the end of March, 14,267 license plates have been sold – which is 175 fewer than at the same time last year. Discussion followed on the cause of the decrease in sales; however, overall, the yearly sales consistently increase. There are 80-plus specialty plates available for purchase – which is a lot of competition. All things considered, veteran plate sales are still very strong. It was also noted on this same report that 485 “Patriot” license plates have been sold. The “Patriot” license plates are now available to anyone interested.
At this time there is roughly $395,000 in the cemetery program account. That is a solid figure and does not include the reimbursement that the division will receive when the federal VA grant is received for the WesternMontanaStateVeteransCemetery in Missoula.
Wayne then referred to the budget report portion that itemizes the plot allowance revenue received from the federal VA. The VA provides the division $300 for every veteran interred at the state veterans cemeteries. That amount may be increased sometime in the future by Congress. However, the division plans to keep the veteran’s spouse internment cost to remain at $300.
Next on the agenda was the Construction Update. Wayne stated that at this time there is no construction either here or at the cemetery at FortHarrison. However, plans are being made for the expansion of the MontanaStateVeteransCemetery at FortHarrison. The interment area is planned to expand west behind Liberty House, and will encompass about four acres. A letter has been written to General Mosley requesting support from the Army and Air National Guard for this project in the form of road construction and ground preparation/leveling. Assistance from the department’s engineering staff has also been requested to assist with design functions. This help will probably not be available until next spring or summer. The new section should be operational no more than three years from now. In the meantime, there are sufficient plots available to handle all burials at this cemetery.
CEMETERY SEXTON’S REPORT
This year there has been a total of eight burials. Seven of which are full size burials, and one in memorial. This brings the cemetery’s totals to 185 burials; 101 full size, 74 cremations, and 10 memorials.
The cemetery update was next on the agenda. Wayne stated things are moving right along in the awarding of the grant for the WesternMontanaStateVeteransCemetery in Missoula. The VA letter has been received which authorized the division to solicit bids on the project. We anticipate the cemetery being operational by the fall of 2008.
YellowstoneCounty passed a mill levy last November that is going to bring in an estimated $225,000 a year; specifically for the development and maintenance of a veterans cemetery near Laurel. The cemetery, once constructed and operational, will be county-operated and funded.
A discussion followed regarding the security of the cemetery due to the incident of a vehicle driving into the pump-area security fence. The security lights have helped a great deal. Sheriff Harbaugh stated he was going to increase the number of patrols through the cemetery, especially on weekends to discourage late-evening vehicle travel through the cemetery.
Next on the agenda were plans for the Memorial Day Ceremony which will be held at a time and date to be announced. Ralph Dukart is in charge of the ceremony, but he was unable to attend the meeting. Wayne asked if there were any comments or recommendations regarding the Memorial Day agenda. It was requested that the ceremony be held later in the day so people from out of town could have time to reach MilesCity before the ceremony. Everyone felt it has always been a very nice ceremony and should be continued, as in the past.
The next meeting will be held October 11, 2007 at 1 p.m. in the VFW Hall in MilesCity.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 p.m.