Flag and Memorial Committee (2026-02-17)

Flag and Memorial Committee Regular Meeting January 20, 2026 The Flag and Memorial Committee met in regular session on January 20, 2026, at the American Space Museum, 308 Pine Street, Titusville, FL 32796 Chairman Marquette called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m. Members present: Member Raque, Member Therriault, Member Fuller and Member Swink, Member Patton and Member Rathborne. Also present was Debbie Petyk from North Brevard Heritage and Gail Gilchrist, Liaison, City of Titusville. I. CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Chairman Marquette. II. DETERMINATION OF A QUORUM: A quorum was met. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of minutes for the December 16, 2025 meeting: A motion to approve the December 16, 2025 minutes was made by Member Rathborne, seconded by Member Therriault, it passed unanimously. IV. OLD BUSINESS A. Astronaut Memorial Ceremony: Astronaut Jan Davis will be the keynote speaker, discussion ensued. Chairman Marquette stated he will send me a template of the program. Member Therriault is still waiting to hear from the Rabbi for the Benediction. Betsy Ross will hand out programs and there will be a reception at the American Space Museum following the ceremony. North Brevard Honor Guard will be in attendance. B. Installation of Flag and Flagpole at Kirk Point Riverside Park: Member Therriault stated there is no electricity at the location and the question about what flags were going to be flown was raised, discussion ensued. Member Therriault stated he knows someone who is friends with someone who has a bucket truck and this person will look at the top of the flagpole at the Day Street Cemetery. V. NEW BUSINESS: Chairman Marquette suggested that this committee hand out a $500 scholarship to one high school student. Member Therriault voiced concerns about this being an annual pay-out and how the funds would be replaced in this committee’s account. Member Swink suggested a Fish Fry fund raiser to be hosted by the Elk’s Club with the proceeds to go to this committee. Discussion ensued. VI. FUND RAISER ACTIVITES Tabled VII. MISCELLANEOUS Member Therriault asked about a new wreath, discussion ensued.

VIII. ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION Member Swink: Stated the Elks added 11 new members last night, they are getting close to 660 members. He said he had met Frank Rubio at the roll out of Artemis II and there was a good crowd there. Discussion continued about the Fish Fry fund raiser. Member Therriault: CAP Stated today’s weather reminded him of the weather at the December encampment. There were 250 – 300 Cadets in attendance from all across the Southeast region. He stated TICO recently received a highly effective rating from the administration. The yearly conference will be in Orlando this year. KOC Stated Sunday is Knights on Bikes ride to Miami. He will not be able to go due to the Astronaut Memorial Ceremony. They are getting ready for St. Patrick’s Day on 3/14/26. January 22, 2026 is National Day of Prayer For the Unborn. Ask everyone to please say a prayer. Member Raque: Stated the La Grange Cemetery is still their main project and they will start replacing half of the flags every year. Member Fuller: Stated her husband had worked on the space crawler. She stated she met a gentleman that furnished flags, Jerry Varnell, discussion ensued. Member Patton: Stated the DAV is still going strong. Chairman Marquette: Stated the Sands Space History Museum had a mascot named Rupert the Space Armadillo. This encouraged him to get a mascot for the American Space Museum, which he did, and the mascot is Ozzie the Manatee. He said they have a new POS system in the front. There will be a Memorobilia Show at the Hyatt Place on 2/7/26 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m and Jan Davis will have a book signing there. Shuttlefest is in June and Artemis II will launch at night on 2/8/26. Member Rathborne: Stated Bob Boswell passed away a few days ago. They are looking for things to replace the Air Show. Special Guest Debbie Petyk: Discussed the needs of the Pritchard House, as well as, the different events held there. She asked this committee to donate bunting for the Pritchard House, discussion ensued. ADJOURNMENT A. Meeting was adjourned at 12:23 p.m.