MONTANA STATE VETERANS CEMETERY
- ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING -
September 23, 2009
The meeting was called to order by Wayne Carlson, Cemetery Program Manager at 1
p.m. in the Helena Armed Forces Reserve Center state conference room. Present at the
meeting were:
Alma Dickey, Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary/Prisoners of War
Walter Bauer, Military Order of the Purple Heart
Gary White, American Legion
Carl Nordberg, American Legion
Helen Dawson, WIMSA
Flo Parmelee, VFW Auxiliary
Larry Malby, Marine Corps League
Sandy Runkel, American Legion Auxiliary
Irma Paul, VFW Auxiliary
Larry Longfellow, Veterans Of Foreign Wars
Bill Furois, Disabled American Veterans
Denny Lenoir Montana Army National Guard Honor Guard
Chris Denning, Dept. of Military Affairs Facilities
June Rychalski, Scribe – Montana Veterans Affairs Division
The meeting opened with Wayne Carlson leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Each attendee then introduced him/herself to the group. Wayne welcomed all attendees,
especially the new members who have been appointed to serve on the council for the next
two years. He gave recognition to George Poston who recently passed away. George
was one of the first members of the Advisory Board, was instrumental in the cemetery’s
growth, and will sorely be missed by all.
He also thanked everyone for their support in changing the meeting date due to the
unavailability of the meeting room. The earthquake exercise held throughout Helena last
week, utilized all the meeting rooms in the Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Wayne then asked if everyone had received a copy of the minutes of the April 8, 2009
meeting and if there were any corrections to be made. With none made, Alma Dickey
made a motion to accept the minutes as written. Gary White seconded the motion.
Wayne advised the council that we have not been receiving a license plate report since
March. The county revised their computerized accounting procedure and to date have
been unable to print the license plate report we had been receiving. We are assured that
plate sales reports will resume as soon as possible. However, we are receiving the
revenue from the sale of Veteran plates. The amount is shown in the budget handout. To
date we have received $164,006 from the sale of Veteran license plates.
Wayne again drew the council’s attention to the budget report and the plot allowances
actually received in 2009 and 2010. The amount in parenthesis shows what the VA still
owes us for submitted claims. For the Montana State Veterans Cemetery, it is $15,600,
$3,900 for the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery, and $25,500 for the Western
Montana State Veterans Cemetery, for a total of $45,000. There is only one person at the
Veterans Administration assigned to provide the payments approval, and he is extremely
busy. He assured us that he will do his best to get caught up
Larry Malby raised a question regarding the purchase of permanent Veteran plates.
Wayne stated that after 11 years a veteran can purchase permanent veteran plates. His
concern was how it will affect the revenue. Will the Cemetery continue to receive the
$10.00 revenue after the permanent plates are purchased? Wayne said he would have to
check on this, he did not have the answer.
Wayne pointed out to the council that the National Guard members who have returned
from overseas duty have begun purchasing Veterans license plates. He expressed his
appreciation to them for their support.
Wayne advised the group that he had one more item on license plates that had been
reported on at our last meeting. A committee consisting of Representative Frank Wilmer,
the sponsor of the Gold Star Family License Plate Bill, representatives of the service
offices, and our Administrator, Joe Foster, are convening to design a Gold Star Family
license plate patterned after the Gold Star pin. They will meet the last of September. We
will be getting more information on this project as it progresses.
Construction Update: The only construction going on at this time is the new Section D in
the Montana State Veterans Cemetery. There was a delay this summer getting electricity
to the pump site. That is now complete, and the new pump has been installed. We hope
to hydro-seed the section before we have to turn off the irrigation system in late October.
If not, we will do it first thing next spring. At the present time we have enough room in
Section C for full size burials. We anticipate that in two years when we will need this
new section for full-sized burials, the sections sod will be ready. Cremations are gaining
in popularity. At this cemetery cremations are running 70% or higher; in Missoula they
are exceeding 80% and in Miles City, cremations are climbing as well.
Cemetery Report: I am very pleased to report that our Cemetery Program crew received
the Governor’s Award For Excellence in Performance for this year; representing the
Veterans Affairs Division and the Department of Military Affairs. This is the 20th year
the awards program has been conducted. It recognizes outstanding state employees for
their excellence in service and provides role models for others. Employees from 26
counties were presented awards on Monday September 21st at the Great Northern Hotel.
The Award included our team from Missoula, Curt Aasvad and Justin Murray, Kurt
Holmlund cemetery manager in Miles City, Nick Newlon, my assistant here at this
cemetery, myself and June Rychalski. The statement which qualified us for this award
was, “The cemeteries total 113 acres with 2,821 interments. They average 400 burials
annually. This team maintains and operates the cemeteries according to National Shrine
Standards, which are consistent with the Arlington National Cemetery. These six
employees accomplish the duties typical for a staff of 19 according to the National
Cemetery Administration’s staff standards for veteran’s cemeteries.” We are most
appreciative of this award and Wayne is extremely pleased to have such a dedicated and
professional staff working for us in the care of our cemeteries.
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Wayne provided the members with a report showing cemetery burials by veterans,
spouses, full size and cremations and by the month and year. Wayne explained that he
uses these statistics to make the annual report to the National Cemetery Administration.
Wayne related to the council that the two cemetery employees in Missoula have now
become full time employees as of July 1st... They had both previously been temporary
until the full-time positions were authorized last Legislative Session. Wayne expressed
his appreciation of these two excellent employees. All reports on their work and support
of the community are of the highest. We have only one employee in Miles City, Kurt
Holmlund, who is also an outstanding employee.
Wayne next reported to the council on an organization that recently provided lawn and
tree care to the cemetery in Miles City. The Association of Montana, Turf, Ornamental,
and Pest Professionals (AMTOPP) provided maintenance service to the Eastern Montana
State Veterans Cemetery. They fertilized and trimmed 91 trees. They sprayed and
fertilized nine-plus acres with weed control. They chipped and removed tree branches
and fertilized the shrubs and bushes. The Warne Chemical and Equipment Company
located in South Dakota provided the necessary material to enable this group to perform
this volunteer service. With only one person taking care of the cemetery, the fall
preparation provided by this organization is greatly appreciated. The group also provides
this service to the Montana State Veterans Home in Columbia Falls. The organization
consists of owners of landscaping/garden businesses; one is a member of the Department
of Natural Resources and Conservation, and a staff member of Carroll College. All are
interested in the protection and care of the environment. If you want to learn more about
this group, their website is at www.amtop.org.
Helen Dawson asked if there had been any more vandalism in Miles City. Wayne
reported the perpetrator paid restitution, and the fence has been repaired. There was
some vandalism in Missoula. Those people were caught as well.
Wayne reported that there is now full security at both cemeteries. During the weekends
they unlock the gates in the morning, and come back at night, check through the cemetery
and then lock up. During the weekday, our crew unlocks the cemetery in the morning
and security comes by at night and locks up. This enables families to visit the cemetery in
the evening and on weekends. We have this service at both Miles City and Missoula. At
our cemetery, we are very fortunate the VA police force provides the security at no cost
to us.
Open Discussion: Walter Bauer stated that when he received his meeting reminder he
noticed the civilian stamp on the envelope. He requested that we look into using a Purple
Heart stamp on our outgoing mail. He gave everyone a copy of his own reply label
showing what the Purple Heart stamp looks like and urged everyone to purchase them for
their own use.
Gary White reported he had heard a group of veterans in Bozeman were working at
establishing a veterans cemetery in that area. Wayne stated he had heard nothing about it
but that the state could not support another cemetery. Wayne stated he felt the three
located across the state provides ample burial support.
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A question was raised regarding the grant request for funding for the cemetery. Wayne
stated he had been informed that the grant priority was being moved up. Joe continues to
monitor that progress.
A question was raised regarding the opening of a second exit to the cemetery. Wayne
explained that had been addressed. He stated consideration had been given for a second
exit to come out at the Liberty House parking lot. The council felt it was important to
have a second exit. Irma Paul stated the Liberty House committee is considering making
an extension of that parking lot for motor homes & campers. She suggested they keep
that in mind when working on a second exit. Wayne assured her they would not infringe
on their parking lot and would work closely with the Veterans Administration.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 2 P.M.
The next meeting will be the April 14, 2010 at 1 P.M.
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