USS PHOENIX (SSN-702) COLD WAR MONUMENT FOUNDATION, INC.
DIRECTORS’ MEETING MINUTES, THURSDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2025
A LIVE MEETING HELD AT THE ARIZONA STATE VETERAN HOME
Directors/Steering Committee Members Participating: Directors Ed Henry, Dave Leclair, Lynn Bennett and Pete Lumianski. Other attendees included Steering Committee Members, Ken Kennedy, Fred Rouse, Jerry Benham, Robert Broom and Marty Zipser. The meeting was held in the Arizona State Veteran Home’s Liberty Hall on 23 October 2025 from 1030 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 1040.
Treasury Report. Pete provided a current summary of the Foundation’s Treasury: Desert Financial Credit Union Savings Certificate – $66,277.50; Chase Savings – $6,776.96; Chase Checking – $14,055.93; Chase Brick – $7184.24; Total – $94,294.63. Pete reported he and aspiring Treasurer Carrie Thompson held a ‘turnover’ meeting on 9 October in order to transfer our financial records from Janet Western to Carrie. Carrie is evaluating the records and developing a format for maintaining accurate Foundation Treasurer/Financial records and reports. Carrie is slated to complete that task in November before our next Foundation Directors’ meeting. Pete noted there are a number of anomalies in our recent financial transactions and current balances which cannot be clearly explained. He indicated they are probably related to the recent Navy Ball event. Lynn suggested coordinating those questions with Chairperson Culbertson.
City of Phoenix Feedback. Pete re-emphasized the City was totally in charge of the monument project and that any influence we might have on the monument’s design and construction will continue to be at the City’s pleasure. Pete then summarized and went over in detail the virtual meeting held the day before (22 October) with the City in response to numerous questions and requests made by the Foundation. The meeting was called by Parks Deputy Development Director Todd Shackelford, and attended by both Parks and Ardurra officials. The meeting covered numerous questions and concerns of the Foundation in the areas of the sail and rudder, the signage, the Foundation fund-raising efforts, and other miscellaneous monument issues, including the Brick program and the proposed wall banner to be placed on the Parks maintenance building. There were quite a few areas left unresolved.
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City. Pete described the City’s intent to draft a MOU with the Foundation delineating the out-year maintenance responsibilities for both the City and the Foundation. Pete indicated the Parks Director stated a Parks effort to draft the MOU would commence in the November timeframe. New Steering Committee member Robert Broom volunteered to draft a sample MOU agreement – taken from our perspective – for consideration and discussion. Robert passed out copies of his draft, and a lively discussion ensued. Pete summarized the discussions and asked everyone present to take time to read Robert’s draft and submit their feelings and opinions at or before our November Directors’ meeting. It was generally felt we should let the City lead on this effort, while also preparing ourselves for what we think is reasonable and doable.
Fund-Raising and Marketing. Pete led discussions about our ongoing fund-raising efforts and plan, noting that in order to be effective/successful, our fund-raising activities need to focus around a dollar goal and purpose, and then be supported by a strong and well thoughtout marketing plan. The discussion led to a number of completed, ongoing or planned fund-raising initiatives and factors.
- The Navy Ball – This year’s event generated a small amount of money from lottery sales and potential brick sales. According to Director Bennett, next year’s event will include a more direct effort to raise monies.
- American Legion – Director Henry described success in publishing an awareness/brick sales article which was published in one of the Legion’s national newsletters. He will continue to follow-up with TAL to do more advertising/awareness-building.
- Website – Robert conducted a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) on our website and made many good observations. We all agreed our website needs a review and update. Pete to contact Fasturtle to commence an effort to revise and upgrade our current website. Pete and Lynn to follow-up.
- Social Media – We need to continue our efforts to be present on social media (Facebook, X, and other similar venues. Lynn for action.
- Newsletter – We need to grow our circulation/subscriber base. Pete to write up an update for the next newsletter and provide it to Ed and Lynn.
- Event Work – Director Manuel offered to set up another VetFest appearance in Surprise for the weekend of 11 April 2026. Event work is welcome/feasible depending upon its revenue/awareness building potential. Lynn working on an American Legion event.
- Brick Program – It is stalled until we can clarify the Brick-Paver situation with the monument, an effort which must be led and agreed to by the City. Pete and Chris to keep trying.
- Funding Targets – They include corporations, organizations and wealthy persons – we need an established money goal and purpose to be effective in our solicitations.
- Handout Cards – Pete distributed handout cards to all the meeting participants for use in building awareness and soliciting brick sales.
- Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services (AZDVS) – Pete noted that he had held a meeting with AZDVS Assistant Deputy Director Dylan Dalzotto on 17 October in an effort to connect with any statewide veterans’ communications in the form of newsletters or social media presence. Dylan was supportive and is looking into it.
- Our Environment – In addition to today’s general economic conditions, Pete pointed out that we have a number of new persons in position to affect our activities: a new City Manager; a new State Adjutant General; a new Veteran Home Administrator; a new AZDVS Director; the departure of COP friends Jeff Barton and Inger Erickson; successful position of friend Wanda Wright at ASU.
Other News Notes.
- USS Cincinnati (SSN 693). Pete reported receiving a call from Bob Viney, one of the prime movers of the USS Cincinnati Memorial project. Bob was offering on-going help to us in terms of advice or lessons learned with their project. In a return communication, Pete requested any additional information about their periscope build or interactive signage.
- Pro Bono Photographer. Pete mentioned that he had received an offer from retired professional photographer Bob Rink to provide pro bono photographic services for any photo opportunities which we might need/want. Pete to pursue when appropriate. Bob is a well-known person in the Valley,
https://bobrinkphoto.com/Bob%20Rink%20Bio/Bob%20Rink%20Bio.html
- Pete Leave. Pete to be gone from 21 November to 7 December. He suggested our November meeting take place on the 13th.
Pete adjourned the meeting at 1220. Our next Directors’ meeting is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, 13 November 2025 at the AZ Veteran Home.
Submitted By: Pete Lumianski, Executive Director
Approved By: Ed Henry, Acting Chairperson
