Uniontown Maritime Memorial Committee approves minutes, plans new plaques and Memorial Day logistics

The Uniontown Maritime Memorial Committee met and approved its most recent minutes by voice vote before moving to new business on plaques and event planning. Jonah, who led the plaques discussion, said three applications arrived after the March meeting — one custom plaque for a person known as “Buddy” and two stock inscriptions — and that the group would add them to this year’s installation.

The committee agreed the memorial would cover the cost of Buddy’s plaque; Jonah said the Uniontown Association is prepared to reimburse the committee “if needed.” Jonah also noted the vendor, Vancouver Granite Works, planned to perform the engravings and touch up about 24 worn names on the north-facing inner wall during the same visit. “So they’ll be added with this year’s batch,” Jonah said, describing the vendor’s schedule and the plan to perform touch-ups when weather permits.

Members spent most of the meeting debating a proposal to offer a smaller, lower-cost plaque option — typically two lines (name and birth/death years) — to increase accessibility and fit more names on the site. The vendor’s estimates were discussed in several places during the meeting; participants cited different figures in the record (a smaller two-line estimate mentioned at about $195, a repeated reference to a $260 standard plaque, and a separate $160 figure tied to custom work). Jonah told the group the vendor also warned of a modest price increase next calendar year. Because the meeting transcript reiterates multiple, inconsistent numbers, committee members said they will confirm exact pricing with the vendor before setting final fees.

Committee members also debated placement and aesthetics for the smaller plaques. Some favored mixing smaller plates into existing walls so they blend in; others proposed reserving a dedicated face of an existing wall or adding a freestanding granite plinth to keep the main wall visually consistent. One member noted that design choices affect whether the memorial’s maritime focus remains clear: if application requirements were loosened to accept minimal inscriptions, the memorial’s mission could become “diluted,” the group said. The committee did not adopt a final policy change at the meeting and agreed to revisit application language and placement options at a future session.

Jonah reported that the River Walk bollard lights adjacent to the memorial — not part of the memorial project but affecting the site — are complete and functioning. On event logistics, Kim Suffle outlined plans for the Memorial Day ceremony: scheduled for Monday at 3:00 p.m. (as recorded in the meeting), Columbia River Coffee Roasters will supply coffee; Uniontown Vintage (a new Marine Drive business) and the Patterson family (East and Mini Mart) will provide cookies; the Uniontown Association will fund surround sound and Aloha Sound (from Portland) will supply audio equipment; and Scott will provide the printed program and an alphabetical list of names. Volunteers were lined up for setup, garbage pickup and name-reading.

The committee asked Jonah and staff to confirm vendor pricing and to follow up with Scott on outstanding items (brackets, wayfinding, and the program). No formal vote was taken on plaque-size policy changes; the committee adjourned after concluding logistics and scheduling items.