CC Minutes - 07/28/03 Mtg - Laserfiche WebLink

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and Meisner voting in opposition (Councilor Solomon had yet to be contacted). Scott Sham, 4086 Southway Loop, Springfield, advocated for flying the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag on Skinner Butte. He felt that this would be a small way to commemorate those who had given their lives for the cause of freedom. Nick Urhausen, 2058 Warren Street, representing Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 293, provided an outline of what was the desired outcome of the testimony from veterans. He stated that the local veterans wanted a ceremony to be scheduled for September 19, which has been designated as the official day of remembrance for POW/MIAs. He further explained that the veterans wanted the POW/MIA flag to fly below the flag of the United States on Skinner Butte. He noted that Stub Stewart had "given his blessing" to the project. He commented that the City of Eugene preached the value of diversity and this flag would honor diversity as well. He stressed that there would be no cost. James A. Mehringer, 279 Bushnell Lane, commander of Chapter 22 of the Disabled Veterans, spoke in support of flying the POW/MIA flag on Skinner Butte. He related the story of Clifton Cushman, an Olympic silver medalist, who was MIA in Vietnam. He stressed that Mr. Cushman's family did not have a place to mourn his passing. In closing, Mr. Mehringer commended Bob Hope, who had just died, for all of the entertainment he had provided the troops. Betty Porter, 155 Corliss Lane #8, stated that, as a veteran, she had been forced to fight for her right to health benefits. She felt that she was now fighting to put a POW/MIA flag on Skinner Butte. She said that, as Americans, all people had to comply with and get along with each other, no one was exempt. As such, she asserted that this flag should fly, regardless of any opposition that might arise, as people must honor opposing points of view. Judi Greig, 2043 Smithoak Street, related the story of a mother of a boy who left Eugene in 1966 at the age of 17 and went to Vietnam. She said the boy did not return. She advocated for providing this woman a place to honor her son. She stated that dying for freedom was not the worst thing that could happen to one, but being forgotten was. Mark English, 1279 Olympic Street, Springfield, spoke with passion about the freedoms available to residents of the United States. He stated that 8,100 people were missing in action in Korea, and 1,800 were missing in action in Vietnam. He asserted that not enough was being done to find the remains of those missing. He felt that the flag should be raised to show due respect. Walter Hlebechuk, 2116 Grant Street, service officer of the Springfield VFW Post 3965, stated that he was 100 percent disabled due to injuries sustained in combat in Vietnam. He stressed that MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 28, 2003 Page 2 Regular Meeting