Huber Heights commission finalizes Memorial Day plans; Red Cross offers volunteer support

The Huber Heights Military and Business Commission on May 21 discussed final arrangements for the city’s Memorial Day ceremony and heard an offer of volunteer support from the American Red Cross.

Ryan Farris, regional program director for Service to Armed Forces and international services for the American Red Cross, told the commission his office can provide volunteers and local support for the ceremony. Farris said the Red Cross maintains paid staff in the region and relies largely on volunteers, and that his team could supply an outreach table and volunteers on short notice for the Monday event.

The commission confirmed parts of the program and logistics: Chaplain Benita Sanders of the local VA will participate as a reader; the Wright State University Air Force ROTC detachment will present the colors; a performer identified in the meeting as Ron White is slated to play the taps; and Miss Walker will read a brief biography as part of the program. Commissioners set a Friday walkthrough with event staff and Rite State representatives for 10:00 a.m. at Club Park to finalize staging and technical needs.

Commissioners discussed seating and equipment. Members said about 80 chairs were used at the prior event; the commission will rent additional chairs if needed. The group also discussed electrical safety and a rain contingency: the event is planned rain or shine absent dangerous conditions such as lightning, and the meeting identified a process for making a cancellation call if weather is unsafe.

Logistics discussed included media notification (commissioners said local outlets will be informed), bios for participants (to be shortened to a paragraph for the program), and on-site needs such as a canopy and cable runs for sound. Commissioners asked that the final itinerary and a brief participant packet be distributed by email; meeting attendees said the chair will circulate the itinerary the evening following the meeting and follow up with the Red Cross contact.

In remarks about veteran-support logistics, Farris described other services Red Cross volunteers provide, such as VA volunteer support, mental-health workshops, an international tracing service, and caseworker dispatching for crisis or financial assistance. He said he and a colleague, Angela, coordinate volunteer deployment and will forward contact information and volunteer availability to the commission.

The commission closed the item with a plan to finalize the itinerary and volunteer table placement, to meet with Wright State on Friday for a walkthrough, and to proceed with rental orders if additional chairs or other equipment are needed.