Minutes of May RNCIC meeting and agenda for July 14, 2012 meeting

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORP. P.O. Box 4221 Fayetteville, AR 72702 AGENDA 14 July 2012 Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Welcome to New Members & Guests OLD BUSINESS Status of Brantley House Results of the Yard Sale New Brochure New Donation Letter “Weiner” Dog Race Other Old Business NEW BUSINESS Status of Land Transfer to VA Next Property Acquisition Next “Money Maker” Reminder of 2012 Annual Reports (Officers) The meeting will be July 14, 2012, 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 27, 1195 So. Curtis Ave., Fayetteville, AR. REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION P.O. BOX 4221 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702 Minutes from the May 12, 2012, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Ron offered the prayer. Board members present were: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, and Beverley Swaim. Board members absent were: Harold Crivello and Wes Stites. Other RNCIC members present: Jim Glover. Visitors present: Kathy Potter (Ron’s daughter) and Brenda Austin. Minutes of the April meeting were presented. Peggy made the motion to accept the minutes as written, it was seconded by Jake, and the vote was unanimous. The April 30, 2012, Financial Statement was presented with an ending balance of $2,353.78. Jake made the motion to accept the financial statement as written, it was seconded by Roger, and the vote was unanimous. WEB REPORT Jake reported 27 visits during the past month. Jake posted information on the upcoming Yard Sale and the availability of the house for sale at 1098 So. Hill Ave. both on the web site and on Facebook. PUBLICITY Merle gave a suggested placement for the yard sale signs. Brenda Austin, our visitor, offered to give signs from her political campaign for the RNCIC to use. Peggy offered to get the information on the signs. The signs will be put out by 6:30 on Friday morning, June 8. 5K RACE Nothing to report. OLD BUSINESS Details for the yard sale were discussed. Merle will take care of the signs, check out free advertising in the newspaper and the Star Shopper. The sale will run on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Remaining items will be donated to charity. Almost all RNCIC members volunteered to help with the sale between the two days. Beverley requested newspaper and plastic bags for packing up purchases. Donation forms are available for people donating items to the sale. Jake and Peggy presented the newly revised brochure. Jake made a motion to accept the brochure, it was seconded by Budd, and the vote was unanimous. Lorna will see that ample copies are run for distribution at the Memorial Day ceremony and at the yard sale. Thanks were expressed to Jake and Peggy for updating the brochure. Merle is preparing a draft letter for solicitation of funds from organizations. Peggy has a list of over 100 Wal-Mart vendors and others to be used for mailings. A Draft for a Future Property Acquisition Plan to initiate a direction of our movement for future land purchases, and Fund Raising plans were tabled until the fall. Ron has submitted a letter to Carolyn Harrison with the VA in Washington D.C. inquiring if the VA would consider purchasing Lot #7 to be used for the cemetery director’s use in the future and thus securing that lot for the Cemetery. Nothing has been heard in reply. Ron has had the opportunity to visit with the renter of the house on Lot #19 and explain our work to him. Ron gave him a brochure to pass on to the owner of the property and house. Corrections will need to be made to the Memorial Day program regarding RNCIC information. These corrections will be passed on to Raymond Jones. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30. If members have any items to be discussed at next month’s meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda. Respectfully submitted, Lorna Sterrett, Secretary THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!

Video on channel 5 from Memorial Day includes my camera capturing photo of Eugene Keister

Northwest Arkansas TV stations finally noticing that Fayetteville City Council approved zoning of the former sale-barn property that allowed 4-story student apartments to be built next to the Fayetteville National Cemetery, one of the few such facilities in the U.S. to listed as a National Shrine

Please visit KNWA channel 29 Web site or watch for a rerun of a well-done segment on the subject early in the morning. The reporter interview Ron Butler, president of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation and Jeremy Pate of the Fayetteville Planning Department and at least one outraged veteran. Why didn't our local TV stations pick up this story a year ago and alert the public to the second attempt by the Campus Crest corporation to get approval of this project? We have had information online on the subject for several years now, and there were council meetings and planning meetings etc. on the subject. Just a bit late, but at least the truth will be told, after the fact. But MAYBE this will help some people who made bad decisions to rethink mistakes of the past and think more before pushing bad projects into neighborhoods. Direct link to video online.

Yard sale proceeds go to expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery at S. Hill Avenue and 11th Street intersection

Yard sale on S. Hill Avenue to replace June meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation

 lornaRNCIC sterrett

To Gloria Bailey, Ron Butler, Randolph Charette, Harold Crivello, Jim and Sharon Glover, Jeremy Johns, Jake Lamkins, Melissa Lee, Cliff Madewell, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Ginger Middleton, Richard Richards, Josh Sakon, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, Lorna Sterrett, Wes Stites, Beverley Swaim, Chris Turner, Cindy Whiteaker, Kate Williams, Merle Williams

THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!     REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION P.O. BOX 4221 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702 Minutes from the May 12, 2012, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Ron offered the prayer.   Board members present were: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, and Beverley Swaim. Board members absent were: Harold Crivello and Wes Stites. Other RNCIC members present: Jim Glover. Visitors present: Kathy Potter (Ron’s daughter) and Brenda Austin.   Minutes of the April meeting were presented. Peggy made the motion to accept the minutes as written, it was seconded by Jake, and the vote was unanimous. The April 30, 2012, Financial Statement was presented with an ending balance of $2,353.78. Jake made the motion to accept the financial statement as written, it was seconded by Roger, and the vote was unanimous.   WEB REPORT Jake reported 27 visits during the past month. Jake posted information on the upcoming Yard Sale and the availability of the house for sale at 1098 So. Hill Ave. both on the web site and on Facebook.   PUBLICITY Merle gave a suggested placement for the yard sale signs. Brenda Austin, our visitor, offered to give signs from her political campaign for the RNCIC to use. Peggy offered to get the information on the signs. The signs will be put out by 6:30 on Friday morning, June 8.   5K RACE Nothing to report.   OLD BUSINESS Details for the yard sale were discussed. Merle will take care of the signs, check out free advertising in the newspaper and the Star Shopper. The sale will run on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Remaining items will be donated to charity. Almost all RNCIC members volunteered to help with the sale between the two days. Beverley requested newspaper and plastic bags for packing up purchases. Donation forms are available for people donating items to the sale.   Jake and Peggy presented the newly revised brochure. Jake made a motion to accept the brochure, it was seconded by Budd, and the vote was unanimous. Lorna will see that ample copies are run for distribution at the Memorial Day ceremony and at the yard sale. Thanks were expressed to Jake and Peggy for updating the brochure.   Merle is preparing a draft letter for solicitation of funds from organizations. Peggy has a list of over 100 Wal-Mart vendors and others to be used for mailings.   A Draft for a Future Property Acquisition Plan to initiate a direction of our movement for future land purchases, and Fund Raising plans were tabled until the fall.   Ron has submitted a letter to Carolyn Harrison with the VA in Washington D.C. inquiring if the VA would consider purchasing Lot #7 to be used for the cemetery director’s use in the future and thus securing that lot for the Cemetery. Nothing has been heard in reply.   Ron has had the opportunity to visit with the renter of the house on Lot #19 and explain our work to him. Ron gave him a brochure to pass on to the owner of the property and house.   Corrections will need to be made to the Memorial Day program regarding RNCIC information. These corrections will be passed on to Raymond Jones.   NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed.   The meeting was adjourned at 11:30. If members have any items to be discussed at next month’s meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda.   Respectfully submitted, Lorna Sterrett, Secretary 　 THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!

Photos from Memorial Day 2012 at Fayetteville National Cemetery on Flickr set linked below

Photos from 2012 Memorial Day at Fayetteville National Cemetery online at Flickr set at this address:
Memorial Day 2012 at bottom of set

Fund-raising group for expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery always working in background of Memorial Day celebration

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of national cemetery and the new apartment complex along its eastern and northeastern edge. Please plan to park a few blocks away. Sale-barn property formerly used for parking by cemetery visitors is buried under red dirt and construction material.

Nation of Change as Memorial Day Looms: Honor the Dead, Heal the Wounded, Stop the Wars

Amy Goodman gathers significant comment from soldiers and their families at this link: Amy Goodman

Mayor of Fayetteville AR announces intention to run for re-election at 2 p.m. on the Fayetteville Square near the entrance to the Old Post Office: Everyone invited!

The Mayor is announcing to run for re-election TODAY, and if you want a short fun event to see friends, catch some sun, and enjoy the downtown square, I hope you will come out - today 2 pm, on the square just outside the Old Post Office! I think Lioneld has done a great job, I hope to see you there!

Sale-barn property becomes 4-story student-apartment complex as RNCIC continues to buy and donate wetland lots on South Hill Avenue for National Cemetery expansion

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Fayetteville National Cemetery.

Welcome Home Veterans' Picnic invitation: Table use free to vets' groups

John Cumpston drives down Government Avenue to visit the grave of his father, Milo Cumpston, on the 67th anniversary of Iwo Jima day and learns that student apartments are being built next to Fayetteville National Cemetery

Please click on images to ENLARGE.

Here is a sample of comments people shared with me during the time the Campus Crest approval to build student apartments next to the National Cemetery was being considered by Fayetteville officials:
"Remember, I got one of the most aggressive & rude calls from a phone mill somewhere, from a man w/a Eureka Springs phone number who had a direct connection to our Fayetteville City Planning Department where I was ordered by the nasty man to tell them how much we, Fayetteville, needed this massive student housing project right next to our national cemetery. (Actually the guy didn't say that specifically because he couldn't even tell me where this wonderful much needed project was. When I asked him where it would be , he retorted, "the University of Arkansas Campus". When I told him he must be wrong about that, didn't really seem to know the facts, he got mad....But still, instant connection to a pleasant LIVE lady on our city offices phones..."

Agenda for national-cemetery fund-raising group's March 10, 2012

Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation Post Office Box 4221 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702 AGENDA                                                       March 10, 2012 BOARD MEMBERS: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Harold Crivello, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, Wes Stites, Beverley Swaim ABSENT BOARD MEMBERS: GUESTS: Meeting Called to Order Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Minutes of the 11 February Meeting Treasurer’s Report Web Master’s Summary OLD BUSINESS Future Land Acquisition Plan Fund Raising Initiative (Wes) Status of Brantley Property Annual Reports for State of Arkansas (2008/2009/2010) NEW BUSINESS Fayetteville Noon Lions Address Grant Requests Yard Sale Memorial Day Ceremony

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view.

Destruction of wetland and vegetation to allow apartment construction next to Fayetteville's National Cemetery continues: video for public television starting Sunday

Sample of short takes to run starting Sunday on Public Access Television in Fayetteville AR: Come do your own between 5 and 6 Monday or 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. Free for residents of Fayetteville AR

Agenda for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation at American Legion Hut on S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville, Arkansas

For recent photos from Fayetteville National Cemetery and surrounding area, please see part three of National Cemetery friends and neighbors set of photos on Flickr.

Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation
                   Post Office Box 4221
             Fayetteville, Arkansas  72702

                                     AGENDA

Meeting Called to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Minutes of the January 2012 Meeting

Treasurers Report

Web Master Summary


                                       OLD BUSINESS

Other Old Business?


                                          NEW BUSINESS
Land Acquisition Plan (Discuss - Approve?)

Business Initiative Proposal (Wes Stites)

Status of Brantley Property Negotiations

Annual August Report to State of Arkansas (2008/2009/2010)

Other New Business ?
How about a discussion of the monstrous 4-story student apartments about to be built next to the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Please click on image below to see layout of the plan.

THE NEXT RNCIC MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 4221

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702

 

Minutes from the January 14, 2012, Meeting

　

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Harold Crivello offered the prayer. Minutes of the December meeting were approved. The December 31, 2011, Financial Statement was approved with an ending balance of $37,597.57. There were 10 members present.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

5K RACE

Final net proceeds from the 5K race were $6,005.57. Merle expressed thanks to Wes for all the work he did for the race. Roger suggested that for the next race we get a television station sponsorship resulting in additional TV coverage. Ron reminded that the application for Academy Sports sponsorship be turned in as soon as possible this year.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Jake reported for the Nominating Committee that the following 12 names be nominated for the Board. Merle Williams, Virginia Middleton, Aubrey Shepherd, Harold Crivello, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Ron Butler, Wes Stites, Budd Saunders, Beverley Swaim, Lorna Sterrett, and Jake Lamkins. The vote was unanimous.

 

The 12 Board members drew slips indicating their term of service on the Board. They are: One Year Term - Wes Stites, Jake Lamkins, Lorna Sterrett, and Peggy McClain. Two Year Term - Budd Saunders, Harold Crivello, Ron Butler, and Aubrey Shepherd. Three Year Term - Merle Williams, Roger McClain, Beverley Swaim, and Virginia Middleton.

 

The Board of 12 members then elected the Officers for the 2012 year. They are Ron Butler, President; Merle Williams, Vice President; Lorna Sterrett, Secretary; and Harold Crivello, Treasurer.

 

CORRESPONDENCE WITH VA

Ron read his letter of Dec. 27, 2011, to Lynn Harrison, Reality Specialist with the VA, with the current status of RNCIC acquisitions and questions regarding contiguous properties and whether or not the VA could help with a grant or funds to purchase properties.

 

In a telephone conversation of Jan. 10, 2012, between Lynn Harrison and Ron Butler, regarding the acceptance of non-contiguous properties, she confirmed that properties do not need to be contiguous, so the purchase of lots 20 and 20A would be acceptable. It is very doubtful that the VA would provide a grant to the RNCIC; the VA may purchase those properties directly sometime later.

 

Ms. Harrison said a “Task Order” is being prepared to accomplish the “Due Diligence” for Lots 15-18. This means VA personnel will come to Fayetteville to do an environmental survey, a neighborhood survey, and verify the land titles and survey. No date was given, but it appears it may be sooner than we thought. This is the first step in having lots 15-18 being transferred to the VA. When this part of the “due diligence” is completed, the package is then forwarded to the Department of Justice for their review and action. The time for this action is unknown.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Discussion ensued regarding the next acquisition of property. The motion was made, seconded, and passed to start negotiation on properties 20 and 20A with the Brantley family heirs.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. If members have any items to be discussed at the February meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lorna Sterrett, Secretary

　

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.

RNCIC Board discusses making offer for yellow house with large adjacent lot where Hill Avenue turns into Ellis Avenue at 11th Street intersection

 

SUBJECT: Negotiations for Lots 20 & 20A

 

TO: 2012 Board of Directors

 

At the January 2012 RNCIC meeting, I received the board’s approval to begin

negotiations for the subject properties and subsequently called the principal owner, Mr. David Brantley. He affirmed that both he & his sister (the only heirs) wish to sell the lots as soon as possible. I requested an “asking price” and his response was $60,000.00.

 

I asked if there was anyone locally who had access to the house; he did not know of anyone. Some time ago, he had given a key to a person who was interested in buying the property but never got the key back. He described the house as two bedrooms, built on a cement block foundation with foam insulation under metal siding and a crawl space, but no central air or heat. Reportedly, there are some items of property remaining in the house to include gas space heaters, maybe a refrigerator, plumbing fixtures, a ‘spool bed’ & buffet that his sister has an interest in, and perhaps more items.

 

His local representative will be the Niblock Law Firm, that he will soon hire to handle the sale of the property. However, I would like to purchase directly from the owners, as we did when we bought Lot 18, without incurring the extra cost of an attorney. A person who has previously done these direct buyer-to-seller transactions for the RNCIC thinks it can easily be done again.

 

I request approval of the Board of Directors to make an offer of $52,500.00 cash, plus a Letter of Donation-in- Kind, in the amount of $7,500.00, for a total offer of $60,000.00.

The RNCIC presently has a bank balance of $37,500.00. If Mr. Brantley accepts our offer of $52,500.00, we will have a deficit of $15,000.00. Although this deficit is significant, I have been assured that the RNCIC can obtain a $15,000.00 loan from a private

individual, renewable for up to three years, for interest of just $1.00 per month.

Obviously, the stated interest amount is very good for the RNCIC.

 

In the event our offer is not accepted, negotiations should take place until both the seller & RNCIC arrive at an agreeable price. Any agreed upon purchase price greater than $37,500.00 will result in a larger shortfall than the $15,000.00 stated above and will require discussions with the private individual to obtain the necessary funds.

 

In summary, the owners are very interested in selling the property to save their continuing costs of taxes, insurance, and property maintenance. I sincerely doubt that the RNCIC will ever again have the opportunity to obtain this much property for this price.

 

We will also need to investigate selling and moving the house, rather than demolishing it. It is in good condition compared to the others that we have purchased, and even if we have to donate the house, we can significantly reduce the cost of clearing the lots.

 

If you agree with the process outlined above, please send your ‘YES’ vote, or if you disagree, your ‘NO’ vote to Lorna at lornasterrett@yahoo.com . Your questions and/or comments are also welcomed. Please reply no later than Friday, 3 February 2012.

If there are sufficient ’YES’ votes to further pursue this matter, I will call a Special Board Meeting as soon as possible to finalize this action and continue negotiations for the purchase of Lots 20 & 20A.

 

Thank You for Your Consideration,

　

/S/

Ronald L. Butler

President, RNCIC

.

First burial at Fayetteville National Cemetery since apartment-developer's fence went up on the former Washington County Livestock Auction property to prevent access to the construction site for four-story buildings. For decades, visitors to the cemetery were allowed to park on a portion of the land

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of mourners' cars parked on Government Avenue, National Street and in the cemetery's driveway. Gotta wonder what a soldier's burial service will be like when the construction trucks and machines dominate the area and next August 15 when the students are expected to move into the apartments. And notice the trail in the riparian zone as an example of another instance of city-required paving of important wetland that currently helps protect the Beaver Lake watershed.

North is up in this drawing. The trail is shown running near the edge of the Tanglewood Branch and the national Cemetery is along the bottom borders of the drawing. 

Aerial view from above MLK Jr. Blvd (right bottom) and S. School Ave. (lower left) In 2010, the VA contractors expanding the cemetery to new land (middle right) rented part of the sale-barn property's wetland pasture to store material (reddish center of photo).

Short takes on Cox 218 and AT&T channel 99 something for today through the weekend

RNCIC meeting 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

                                     

  REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION                                                          
                                                                                                 &nb sp;     
Post Office Box 4221
                                                                                                     
Fayetteville, Arkansas
                                                                                                                                                                                   
14 January 2012
                                                                                                           
AGENDA
Meeting called to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Minutes of December 2011 meeting
Treasurer's Report

                                                                                                       
OLD BUSINESS
Any remaining business from 2011 5 KM Race
Land Acquisition Plan (5 yr average donations by month)
Report from Nominating Committee
Other Old Business

                                                                                                         
NEW BUSINESS
Next acquisition of property
Review letter to VA & telephonic response
Election of officers
Other new business 


Motion to adjourn


NOTE: additional items may be added during the meeting 

Foggy Morning blues: Sale-barn reduced to rubble, huge oak destroyed beside National Cemetery, leaving squirrel homeless and confused

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE. See more related photos on Flickr Fayetteville National Cemetery set of photos at this permanent link.

Planning officials require preservation of only one big oak across Government Avenue from National Cemetery

Squirrel climbs surviving tree after inspecting downed tree whose hollow provided safe haven

Why was this spectacular example of urban habitat destroyed?

KUM & Go store official tells city council project has to be done their way or the plan to put a store at MLK Jr Blvd. and S. Hill Avenue will not be done

December 20, 2011, meeting of Fayetteville AR city council draws comment on several important local issues on a 3-hour, 37-minute video

Wreaths Across America big success at National Cemetery on Dec. 10, 2011

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE.  For many photos from Wreath Day 2011 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery, please see bottom of page 3 on Fayetteville National Cemetery set on Flickr .

Park Board approves accepting money in lieu of land that will result in destruction of all habitat on Hollywood Prairie despite plea to preserve bit of wetland

Combat Veterans donate $1,000 for expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery before start of Wreaths Across America ceremony on December 10, 2011

Please click on image to ENLARGE:

The following events will take place at the FAYETTEVILLE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY on SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2011.

There will be a special Executive Board Meeting (Ron, Lorna, Harold, Roger, Beverley) at 9:30 a.m. in the cemetery office building.

A brief general RNCIC meeting will be held at 10 a.m. in the cemetery office building.

The Combat Veterans Motorcycle Riders will be presenting a check to the RNCIC outside the Cemetery gates at 10:30 a.m.

Wreaths Across America will take place at 11 a.m.

We hope to see as many as possible there!

Nature photos on next week's video include frost flowers from this week and last year

Please click on image to ENLARGE for easy reading.

Coast Guard's new fast-response cutters named for enlisted heroes

CGs Third Fast Response Cutter Launched

November 30, 2011

U.S. Coast Guard

WASHINGTON -- The Coast Guard announced Nov. 30 the launch of its third Sentinel-class, Fast Response Cutter, the William Flores, at Bollinger Shipyards, Lockport, La.
The launch of the William Flores into the waters of Bayou Lafourche marks a production milestone as the Fast Response Cutter readies for sea trials, delivery, crew training and eventual commissioning.
“The Coast Guard’s new Fast Response Cutters are national assets, unique to the United States and uniquely equipped to respond to all threats and all events in times of crisis,” said Cmdr. Chris O’Neil, chief of media relations for the U.S. Coast Guard. “The Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters will be capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots and operating in seas up to 18-feet. Armed with a 25-mm chain gun and four, .50 caliber machine guns, the speed, stability and firepower of the Fast Response Cutter deliver tremendous lifesaving, law enforcement and homeland security capabilities in the same package. Like the Island-class patrol boats the Fast Response Cutters replace, the fleet of 58 Sentinel-class cutters will serve as the workhorses of America's littoral, maritime fleet.”

Seaman Apprentice William Flores, namesake of the cutter, posthumously received the Coast Guard Medal, the service’s highest award for heroism not involving combat, for his unselfish acts and sacrifice Jan. 28, 1980, following the collision between the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the tanker Capricorn. Flores and another crewmember threw life jackets to their shipmates who had jumped into the water. Later, when his companion abandoned ship as the Blackthorn began to submerge, Flores, who was less than a year out of boot camp, remained behind and used his belt to strap open the life jacket locker door, allowing additional life jackets to float to the surface. Even after most crewmembers abandoned ship, the 19-year-old Flores remained aboard Blackthorn to assist trapped shipmates and to comfort those who were injured and disoriented. Seaman Apprentice William Ray “Billy” Flores and 22 other Coast Guardsmen perished as the Blackthorn capsized and sank near the entrance of Tampa Bay, Fla. Twenty seven of his shipmates survived.
After commissioning, the William Flores will be homeported in Miami, with a crew of 24 to conduct alien migrant interdiction operations, port, waterways and coastal security patrols, search and rescue and national defense missions.
Named for enlisted Coast Guard heroes, Fast Response Cutters have an overall length of 154 feet, a beam of 26 feet and are capable of speeds in excess of 28 knots. The Fast Response Cutter also features a stern launch ramp for rapid and safe deployment of its 7.9-meter small boat. The William Flores is scheduled to be delivered and commissioned in 2012.

© Copyright 2011 U.S. Coast Guard. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Ron Butler, president of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, announces meeting at 9 a.m. Saturday before the Wreathes Across American ceremony begins at 10 a.m.

• Agenda for RNCIC Meeting, 10 Dec at Fayetteville National Cemetery‏

From:	Lorna Sterrett (lornasterrett@yahoo.com)
Sent:	Fri 12/02/11 9:28 AM
To:	Aubrey Shepherd (aubreyshepherd@hotmail.com); Beverley Swaim (coffeeBAS@aol.com); Budd Saunders (nsaunder@uark.edu); Charles Williams (rosieboat@yahoo.com); Chris Turner (Christine.Turner@cem.va.gov); Don Foster Commander AL 27 (dfos59@hotmail.com); Freddie Boaz (fboaz@co.washington.ar.us); G. Leonard McCandless (omm@arkansas.net); Gene McVay (genemcvay@aol.com); Ginger Middleton (vymiddleton@juno.com); Gloria S. Bailey (gloria.s.bailey@va.gov); Harold Crivello (sunshinegal@cox.net); Jake Lamkins (jake@lamkins.com); Jeremy Johns (jjohns@uark.edu); Jim Rose III (drblues40@yahoo.com); Joe Kerr (joseph.kerr@prgx.com); Joshua Sakon (jsakon@uark.edu); Kate Williams (drkatewilliams@aol.com); Larry Delashmet (LDelash511@aol.com); Leona Wilson (MSLEA@cox.net); Lorna Sterrett (lornasterrett@yahoo.com); Melissa Lee (melissa.lee@tyson.com); Merle Williams (merlerwilliams@cox.net); Nick and Betheny Donahoe (deltaEagle4@yahoo.com); Peggy McClain (pbmcclain@cox.net); Richard Richards (rards@uark.edu); Roger McClain (rmcclain46@cox.net); Ron Butler (wedunit@att.net); Sue Graham (srgraham3@gmail.com); Wes Stites (wstites@uark.edu)

Hi All - Here is the proposed agenda for a very short RNCIC meeting (To be held
at the Director's Building at the Fayetteville National Cemetery; time to be announced)

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Review minutes of October meeting

Treasurer's Report
        Gift of $20,000
         Other gifts

                          OLD BUSINESS
Recap of the 5K Race (Wes)
Other Old Business?

                          NEW BUSINESS
Membership (we have 13 paid memberships- where are the rest?)
Next meeting 14 Jan 2012 at Legion Post 127; 10:30
Other new business?

                          ADJOURN
 

From: Ronald Butler wedunit@att.net

 

On Saturday, 10 December, the local Chapter of 'Combat Veterans Motorcycle
Riders' will present a donation to the RNCIC. Here are the details:
      * The donation event will take place just outside the Front Gate of the 
Fayetteville National Cemetery,  beginning at 9:00. At the conclusion of the
donation event, the RNCIC will have a very short meeting (perhaps 15 minutes);
therefore I'd like to have as many of our members present as can make it. The
more the better !!!
    * The 'Wreaths Across America' Ceremony begins at 10:00 (I expect up near
the Installation Flagpole), so we should have adequate time for the meeting.
    * If you've attended this event in years past, you know reasonably close
parking will be at a premium, so I suggest coming a little earlier than 9:00.
I'll have a very short agenda ready for distribution in the next day or so.(Hope
the weather will be OK - if not, we may cancel the meeting). The Nominating
Committee will have met & established a slate of candidates for the 2012 RNCIC
election at the 14 January meeting. If not, perhaps you can get that done also
on 10 Dec.
Thanks to You all,
Ron