Lowell Veterans Commission finalizes Memorial Day plans, to honor departing member

The Lowell Veterans Commission confirmed plans for the city—99s Memorial Day activities and agreed to honor a departing commissioner at a meeting that addressed logistics, venue questions and member recruitment.

Members said the primary Memorial Day gathering is scheduled for the 20th at City Hall at 4:30 p.m., with organizers arranging a Zoom feed for those who cannot attend in person. The commission also described a separate flags placement at Edson Cemetery at 10 a.m. the Friday before the event.

The meeting matters because the events bring together veterans, students and families for ceremonies and banner displays that the commission coordinates with city departments and community groups. Commission members discussed who will erect banners, how to publicize the events to increase participation and how to accommodate out-of-town attendees.

Commission member Jay Gaffney said the banner ceremony was intended to let families "see all the banners erected." Commission members reported the Department of Public Works currently holds the completed banners and will install them when crews are available. A member estimated about 200 ROTC students and a fourth-grade class will attend the banner presentation; members said the crowd could approach roughly 300 people if weather keeps the program outdoors.

Commissioners described several related items the public can expect on event day: a 10 a.m. flag placement at Edson Cemetery the Friday before Memorial Day, a banner unveiling at City Hall on the 20th and musical and student participation at the banner presentation. Members said that if rain forces an indoor move, parts of the program would be held in the City Hall foyer.

The commission discussed a recent veteran-of-the-month recognition and a nomination for future recognition. Jack Sullivan was identified as the most recent veteran-of-the-month nominee who was honored at an event the night before the meeting. Members also unanimously agreed to nominate and recognize departing commissioner Jacqueline Coles for her service; Coles said, "It's my last meeting." The commission asked Coles to provide a short biography and two possible City Council meeting dates so the council can place the recognition on an agenda.

Operational issues described at the meeting included coordination with the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, new military contacts and member recruitment. Michael Peasley, who said he serves as a trustee for the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, encouraged the commission to consider the auditorium as a venue for future events and said the building's administrative wing is dedicated to veterans. Peasley said management had discussed a possible charge to use the facility for events and that an amount of $500 had been mentioned during prior planning conversations; he characterized the auditorium as a city-owned veterans memorial building and said he believed veterans' uses should be accommodated but acknowledged he could not speak for the management company.

Commission members discussed how veterans' groups should contact the memorial trustees board if they seek to reserve the auditorium. Peasley said he would provide contact information via the trustees and that he would help facilitate arrangements with the management company.

The commission announced a new Army point of contact for military-assistance requests: Sergeant First Class Flanagan. Commission members said they have Flanagan's contact information for requests related to military vehicles or other military support for events.

Recruitment and membership were also on the agenda. Members agreed to pursue outreach to UMass Lowell veteran services (through a contact named Ted) and to send event publicity and a city advertisement asking for new commission members to the university's veteran services office. The commission said it expects a new pool of appointed members by late summer and that it will hold an election for vacancies once the new members are in place.

Scheduling and logistics: commissioners tentatively agreed to hold a June meeting (members settled on June 11 at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, subject to confirmation). The commission also said it will try to provide Zoom access for members who must call in and that meeting minutes and agendas are stored on the group's Google Drive for member reference.

No formal ordinance, grant or budget action was taken during the meeting. Members described operational directions to staff and to trustees (for example, to provide contact details and to arrange banner installation) and recorded consensus on the Coles recognition and the June meeting date.

Looking ahead, members said they will finalize Memorial Day details at a pre-event meeting the week of the ceremony, follow up on auditorium availability and fees with the management company, and continue outreach to recruit new commissioners and partners for future veterans events.