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often one of the veterans groups is notified by the family. Kathy Ornelas reported that <br />Congressman Stark's often receives notification when a KIA constituent is being returned to <br />his district, but has no way of knowing from the Department of Defense how many or who <br />from his district are actively serving in the Middle East. The City learned from the <br />Congressman's Office of the two fallen veterans returned to San Leandro that we have <br />known of — Army Specialist Michael Manibog, who was killed in Iraq in 2008, and Marine <br />Steven Wayne Dicochea, Jr., who was killed in a training exercise at a military base in the <br />U.S. in 2009. <br />Councilmember Prola expressed the need for support of seriously injured veterans returning <br />to the community. Mr. Diaz reported that the League could find resources or other assets if <br />organized in advance. <br />Dr. Ong stated that she has a list of possible non - profit organizations that she can approach as <br />participants if the City endorses the program, and that interns and a steering committee are <br />ready to begin work as well. She will be meeting with Supervisor Chan shortly to discuss the <br />program at the county level. <br />Staff and the Committee discussed with the League organizers some of the points on Dr. <br />Ong's proposal. <br />• Issuance of a City proclamation in the veteran's honor can be done, and in the past <br />City flags have been flown at half staff and a City Council meeting has been <br />adjourned in the veteran's honor in the event of a KIA. <br />• The Point of Contact for the City would be the Community Relations Representative, <br />although not on a 24/7 basis as the proposal suggests. <br />• The City would commit to making any City facility available for a memorial event, as <br />long as the desired facility is not already committed to some other function. <br />• City protocol would be followed to identify the appropriate elected officials to <br />participate in a memorial ceremony or other event. <br />Dr. Ong's proposal also recommended restoration of the veterans monument at Memorial <br />Park and lighting of a flag to be flown on the flag pole at the monument. Discussion was had <br />whether or not it is prudent to update the name plate on the monument at this time with Army <br />Specialist Manibog's name, or waiting until the war in the Middle East is concluded. <br />Mr. Diaz committed that his organization is willing to provide and maintain a flag for the <br />flag pole at the park if it can be lighted, and will contribute toward the cost of lighting the <br />flag as well. Staff was directed to ask Public Works for an report on the logistics and cost of <br />installing a light in the park so a flag could be lighted. <br />The City Manager directed staff to prepare a draft of the City's response to the items <br />requested in Dr. Ong's proposal for the Committee's review at a future meeting. <br />2. Public Comments <br />Leroy Smith voiced his hope that the project moves forward. Representing the Lion's Club, <br />he committed a $250 contribution to the project. He felt there should be a joint celebration of <br />veterans in all cities in the county, and the group discussed the annual Veterans' Day Parade. <br />San Leandro will be the parade host in 2012. <br />2 <br />