Directors/Steering Committee Members Participating: Directors Carol Culbertson, Chuck Manuel, Lynn Bennett and Pete Lumianski.  Other attendees included Steering Committee Members Dave Leclair and Ken Kennedy.  The meeting was held in the Arizona State Veteran Home conference room on April 24th, 2025 from 1015 to 1220. The principal focus of the meeting was a discussion of the monument design progress, and the Foundation’s role in the proceedings. Foundation Executive Director Pete Lumianski brought the meeting to order at 1030.

 

Treasury Report.  Pete provided a current summary of the Foundation’s Treasury:  Desert Financial Credit Union Savings Certificate – $64,986.34; Chase Savings – $10,035.06; Chase Checking – $7,184.24; Chase Brick – $6,776.63; Total – $88,982.27.  Pete noted the short-term funding goal is for us to get to $100K in 2025.  The Foundation’s outyear fundraising goal of $400K remains tentative, awaiting further refinements with the monument’s design and development.

Cold War Monument Sitrep.  Pete described in detail the recent (31 March 2025) 60% Design Review documents.  The 60% Design Plan is comprised of 39 voluminous pages of drawings, sketches, diagrams and data covering site drainage, site structures, sail/rudder foundation information, irrigation plans, electrical and lighting information.  Pete paged through the various subject areas pointing out significant features and raising questions and concerns.  The principal monument features included:

  • Lots of “hardscape”, i.e., foundations, plinths, seating, steel canopy, columns, etc.
  • A lighted flagpole
  • Eight steel/lighted columns (“bollards”)
  • Torpedo door display
  • Concrete ‘pavers’
  • 16 concrete seats
  • Saving 17 of 20 existing trees on site
  • Detailed landscaping and irrigation plans, including 11 saguaros
  • Anti-Graffiti coatings
  • Use of much rust-colored “weathering steel” throughout
  • A huge covered steel canopy, 52’L x 32.5’ W x 16.5’ H, simulating the 702 hull dimensions
  • Provisions for 27 informational signs plus 7 directional signs
  • Extensive electrical and lighting plans

Prominently missing in the 60% plans:  Planned Sail/Rudder/Diving Planes movement and refurbishment concepts; monument cost estimates; signage and messaging information.   Less critical items missing included the sail sculptures, the brick/paver concept, and the recognition and dedication “boards”/signs.  Pete indicated he would compile a list of our impressions, suggestions and concerns and send them to the City and Contractors as appropriate.  Pete said the word from the City was the 60% design had been ‘approved’.  The contractor, Ardurra, has not completed their discussions with the City on where the design stands, and is currently awaiting cost estimates from one of their sub-contractors.

Things We Can Do at this Point:  Pete pointed out a number of things we can be working on while we wait for the “design dust” to settle a bit and find out how we can be helpful in providing feedback and ongoing assistance.  Areas of helpful CWMF activity include:

  • Regular Newsletter releases showing the monument’s progress
  • Keeping up the Brick marketing and sales efforts
  • Expanding our Veterans For Veterans efforts to include meetings with the AZ Dept of Veterans’ Services and the VA Hospital, as well as veteran-connected persons like Paula Pedene
  • Creating Recognition and Dedication signage ideas for the City’s review
  • Completing research on previous submarine sail reconstructions and placements. Pete asked for volunteers to research the reconstructions of four retired submarines.  The subs and the volunteers:
    • The USS Indianapolis, SSN 697 in Vincennes, IN – Carol
    • The USS Woodrow Wilson, SSBN 624 on Kitsap Naval Base, WA – Chuck
    • The USS Sturgeon, SSN 637 at the Keyport Submarine Museum, WA – Dave
    • The USS Lapon, SSN 661 in Springfield, MA – Pete

 

  • Start to lobby the City in the following areas:
    • Bricks
    • Wall Mural/Sign
    • Media Events/Publicity – i.e., ground-breaking/parts movement/grand opening
    • Recognition Board

News Notes: 

  • Larry Rankin. Pete mentioned that a Celebration of Life event for former Phoenix Commission member and honorary COB Larry Rankin will be held in Colorado on 10 May.  Larry did much to advance the USS Phoenix Cold War Monument project.
  • VetFest in Surprise. Pete summarized the experience in the VetFest event held in Surprise on 12 April.  In short, it was a lot of work setting up the display and the attendance/results were  disappointingly low.  He advised limiting our future event participation to large, inside, Veteran-related events if fund-raising continues to be necessary.  He said the CWMF had been invited to make an appearance at the upcoming Arizona VFW convention in Tucson 4-8 June, an invitation being considered.
  • 702 Skipper Search. Pete reported contact information had been found for five of the seven 702 Commanding Officers so far with skippers Tom Cole and Don Boland’s whereabouts still unknown.  Pete and Lynn to keep searching.
  • Glendale Arts Council – Pete reported that Steering Committee member Carolyn Tolliver suggested we apply/compete for another grant from the Glendale Art Council prior to 1 May 2025 by sending a letter appeal to the GAC. Last year we received a $1000.00 donation from them.   Pete for action.

Pete adjourned the meeting at 1220.  Our next Directors’ meeting is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, 21 May 2025 at the AZ Veteran Home.

Submitted By:   Pete Lumianski, Director

Approved By:  Carol Culbertson, Chairperson