Municipal Military Veterans Affairs Commission Meeting - February 24, 2026

The Municipal Military Veterans Affairs Commission of Anchorage, Alaska met on February 24, 2026, to discuss grant funding for the 11th Air Force Memorial, officer elections, Memorial Day planning, and other items. The meeting was chaired by Dave Foley, with a quorum present.

Consent Calendar

• Meeting minutes from the previous meeting were approved by unanimous consent.
• The agenda was approved by unanimous consent with an amendment to include American Legion Post 29 as a guest.

Discussion Items

• Grant Request for 11th Air Force Memorial: The commission discussed a grant application to the Rasmussen Foundation. A motion was made to request $28,000 (the amount quoted for repairs) and to note that $4,400 had already been received from other sources. After debate about whether to request the maximum $35,000, the motion to ask for $28,000 passed, though there was one dissenting vote. The commission also agreed to review grant guidelines to ensure eligibility.
• Canadian Flag at Memorial: A suggestion to add a Canadian flag to the memorial was raised. The commission determined this was beyond its scope and that any such request should be submitted as a formal petition to the municipality (Parks and Recreation) with supporting evidence.
• Alaska Veterans Advisory Council Update: Jeff reported that the council would meet next week (originally said February 13) to consider grant applications. The meeting is open to the public.
• Officer Elections: Dave Foley was re-elected as Chairman without opposition. For Vice Chairman, Al and Olivia were nominated; Al received 5 votes, Olivia 2, so Al was elected. Robert Spear was re-elected as Secretary unopposed. The commission also discussed creating a Treasurer position to handle financial coordination, but no formal action was taken.
• Memorial Day Planning (May 25): Al was appointed committee lead. Olivia and others volunteered. The committee will handle logistics, speaker invitations, flyers, community notifications, and live music. The group will coordinate via email and public notices for any meetings.
• Video Recording of Meetings: Laura was asked to remove the word "recording" from video titles on the website so dates are visible.
• Commissioner Renewals: Three commissioners whose terms expire in October 2026 were reminded to submit renewal requests. Three others (including Dave, Olivia, and Al) have already been updated to 2028.
• Certificates of Recognition: Certificates of Appreciation were presented to Earl (Merrill Field manager) and American Legion Post 29 for their support of Veterans Day events.
• Upcoming Events: The Four Chaplains service (February 25 at Alaska Veterans Museum), Military Appreciation Bowlathon (February 7 at Polar Bowl), and Salute to the Military (February 14 by ASYMCA) were noted.

Key Outcomes

• Grant Application Approved: The commission voted to submit a $28,000 grant request to the Rasmussen Foundation for the 11th Air Force Memorial, acknowledging $4,400 already received. The vote passed with one dissent.
• Officers Elected: Dave Foley (Chairman), Al (Vice Chairman), and Robert Spear (Secretary) were elected for the coming term.
• Memorial Day Committee Formed: Al will lead the committee; volunteers include Olivia, Robert, and others. Planning will proceed via email sprints and a public meeting if needed.
• Canadian Flag Referral: The request for a Canadian flag at the memorial was deemed outside commission scope; the proponent was advised to submit a formal petition to the municipality.
• Next Meeting: Scheduled for March 2026 (specific date not set).