14 - Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum Combat Equipment Static DisplayItem No. 14
TO: Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem & City Council
FROM: Grayson Path, City Manager
SUBJECT: Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Inc. (RRVVMM)
Combat Equipment Static Display
Seeking City Council Support with application.
DATE: January 8, 2024
BACKGROUND:
The City of Paris leases land to the RRVVMM for the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial
Museum at 2035 South Collegiate Drive next to the Love Civic Center. They have built and
maintain a memorial honoring our veterans.
STATUS OF ISSUE:
The RRVVMM has recently expanded their site and have begun to add several pieces of combat
equipment for static display. They would like to add additional pieces of equipment in the future
should equipment become available. They are seeking to apply to the US Army Tank -Automotive
and Armaments Command who needs a letter of support and resolution by the property owner
(City of Paris). This item is to approve their placement of static equipment on city property for
public display.
George Wood, RRVVMM President, plans to attend tonight's meeting to answer questions should
the city council have any.
BUDGET:
N/A
OPTIONS
1. Approve a resolution and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign a letter of support.
2. Do not approve the resolution and/or request additional information.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Approve a resolution and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to sign a letter of support.
January 8, 2024
Commander
US Army Tank -Automotive and Armaments Command
ATTN: AMTA-LCL-IFD, M/S: 419D
6501 E. 11 Mile Road
Detroit Arsenal, MI 48397-5000
RE: Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Inc.
Request for combat equipment for static display.
Commander,
The Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Inc. ("RRVVMM") has built and maintains the
Red River Valley Veterans Memorial, located at 2035 South Collegiate Drive, here in Paris, Texas.
This land is under a long term lease by the RRVVMM from the City of Paris. This memorial pays
tribute to those who have put their lives on the line for our freedom. Our community is very
proud of this memorial and we encourage its growth.
The RRVVMM has requested our support in their application to the US Army Tank -Automotive
and Armaments Command for additional combat equipment for static display on public land. On
January 8, 2024, the City Council for the City of Paris met in regular meeting, at which time they
considered and approved this request. Please find attached a resolution by the City Council
approving their request to allow additional combat equipment for static display on city land.
If you have any questions or if we can be of further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Reginald B. Hughes Grayson Path
Mayor City Manager
CWO3 USN, Ret.
CC: Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Inc.
JVn honor of our veterans, each Memorial Day and
eterans Day are set aside to pay tribute to those who put
their lives on the line for our freedom. You will find all the
service flags flying 24/7 365 days a year.
The Red River Valley Veterans Memorial is a place for
reflection, remembrance and gratitude. It is our hope that this
will also be a place to educate present and future generations
of the sacrifice made by members of their own family and
their community to secure the freedoms that we all enjoy.
And may it -be a reminder that "Freedom is not Free."
This impressive memorial is located next to the Eiffel
Tower near Love Civic Center. The memorial's centerpiece is
the Ring of Honor, an elevated ring of granite walls containing
the names of all the men and women from the five county
Red River Valley area that made the ultimate sacrifice.
Surrounding the Ring of Honor are granite Conflict Walls,
etched with information and graphic depictions of each war
or conflict.
There are over 2,500 granite V x 2' pavers that honors all
veterans no matter where they live. There are 51 Family
Benches, 18 Ornamental Tree Pavers and 97 Specialty Pavers
installed at the memorial.
Two bronze statues with murals have been installed to
honor Gold Star Families and War Dogs and their Handlers.
We have a computer Kiosk that is used for visitors to fill
out our Guestbook and used to find friend or family members
that have their names engraved at the memorial.
The last phase includes more Family Benches, Veteran
Pavers, Choctaw Code Talker Monument and static displays.
In 2023 an AH1 P Cobra Attack Helicopter built in 1977, an
M115 8" Towed Howitzer from 1944, 1952 M115 Deuce and a
Half, and a 1970's era M113 Al Armored Personnel Carrier
(APC) was installed.
Red River Valley Veterans Memorial
2035 South Collegiate Drive
Paris, Texas 75460-6309
(903) 783-0945
Email:Office@rrvvm.org
rwym.arg/purchas"aver rrvvm.or" Facebook
Orm
War Dog Monument
I i1oft",
Gold Star Monument
Computer Kiosk
Ring of Honor School Tours
United States Army Donations Program
Qualification Checklist for Donation of Combat Materiel
Veterans' Service Organizations
Please complete the following questionnaire and return this form with the required documents
outlined below:
Full- Name of Organization (ORG):
ORG Physical Address:
City: w ._ ,...mm. State: Zip Code:
Telephone Number: FAX Number:
ORG E-mail'Address:
ORG Mailing Address (if different than above):
City:u..... ..........,,., State: ... Zip Code:
ORG Representative (REP): w
Contact Information (If Different than above), Telephone Number:
Contact E-mail Address (If Different than above):
Name of Organization that owns the display site:
Address of Display site (if different from ORG):
City:
State:
Zip Code:
GPS Display Site Coordinates:
Type of Combat Equipment being requested (check only one):
[]Tracked Vehicle ❑ Towed Artillery ❑ Helicopter ❑ Any Combat Material
�.......
Size Restrictions, maximum Length....e...........-� and Width: Feet x Feet wwwww_aa _
Do you currently possess combat equipment as static display? Yes No
�..n. ...............�
REP's Signature Date
1/3
United States Army Donations Program
AYJ • MII&I'ml 2=1 Lma
1A t I I �:W_IA IVA N 101 •. I I F-71 Ma �7-
Combat Material issued to your organization cannot be loaned, sold, transferred, given
to or used by any other organization. This equipment remains the property of the United
States Government and must be returned to the US Army when no longer needed by your
organization. _ (initial)
Upon receipt and approval of your application, you will be offered a suitable display
piece as they become available. The availability of any Army equipment for use as a static
display is very limited.' It is recommended you apply for a static piece in order to maintain your
request in an open status until an asset becomes available. (Initial)
Upon acceptance of an Rem, your organization will be responsible for all release,
demilitarization, display site preparation and transportation costs associated with the
conditional loan of display equipment. Depending upon the type of equipment available:
demilitarization, radiological and release costs can exceed several thousand dollars.
(Initial)
Please identify maximum dollar amount that you are prepared to pay for
demilitarization/radiological and release costs (check ohs):
[] Not to Exceed $1000 E] Not to Exceed $10,000 R Exceeds $10,001
Transportation of an item will be at your expense via a commercial carrier. Combat
equipment can be located throughoutthe Continental United States of America, distance from
current location to display site will vary. This cost will be dependent upon the commercial
carder you hire to move the item for you and the distance from its current location to your
display site. _ (initial)
Due to the distance combat equipment may have to be transported and associated
costs, please'identify the distance your organization is willing to consider for an offer (checti
one): E] With -in StateRegion F_� No prohibition on distance
In the event that an offer for combat equipment Is not made within a three year
period from the date of this request or 'an offer is made and refused by the organization,
the organization must reapply for qualification of combatimateriall under this program.
, (initial)
213
United States Army Donations Program
Qualification Checklist for Donation of Combat Materiel
Veterans' Service Organizations Continued
Retain this page for your records.
Please submit the followin4information to:
Commander
US Army Tank -Automotive and Armaments Command
ATTN: AMTA-LCL-IFD, M/S: 419D
6501 E. 1*1 Mile Road
Detroit Arsenal, MI 48397-5000
(1) Checklist for Donations of Combat Materiel Veterans' Organizations. (Pages 1 &2)
(2) Veteran Service Organization Written Request for combat equipment under 10 USC
2572 signed by the local commander, commandant, or president of the organization.
(3) National Headquarters' Endorsement Letter. Forward a copy of your written request for
combat equipment to your national headquarters for verification that your organization is in
good standing. Your national headquarters will then endorse and forward your request to the
Army Donations Program at TACOM for processing.
(4) Ceremonial Rifle Inventory. If none, state none on form.
(5) Privacy Act Notice.
(6) Annual Certification of Army Material Status. Required for each piece of equipment
currently in the organization's possession. If none, state none on form.
(7) Site photograph(s). These photograph(s) must show where you intend to place the
display item. It must include surrounding landmarks including your. facility or the Park signs
and setting.
(8) Static Display Photograph(s). Photographs must clearly show any display equipment
your organization received. This includes display items in' parks and cemeteries that your
organization has obtained.
(9) Map of the Local Area/GPS Coordinates. This map must pinpoint the location of your
organization's proposed display site. It must be detailed enough to permit visitors and/or
lnsjgm)gctors unfamiliar with the local area to easily find the display.
(10) and Owner Approval. If the display will be located on municipal property, you will
' n,,, eo provide a copy of the approval under the letterhead (i.e. council minutes or resolution)
of the City/Township Council, County Board of Commissioners, and/or other appropriate law
making governing body that they will allow the static display to be placed on public land.
Equipment cannot be placed on privately owned property.
December 2019.
3/3
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS, TEXAS, IN
SUPPORT OF THE RED RIVER VALLEY VETERANS MEMORIAL MUSEUM,
INC.'S APPLICATION TO THE US ARMY TANK -AUTOMOTIVE ARMAMENTS
COMMMAND FOR COMBAT EQUIPMENT FOR STATIC DISPLAY AT THE
MEMORIAL LOCATED AT 2035 SOUTH COLLEGIATE DRIVE AND
GRANTING APPROVAL OF THE INSTALLATION AT THE SITE THEREOF;
MAKING OTHER FINDINGS AND PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE SUBJECT;
AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Paris, Texas, a home rule municipal corporation under the laws
of the State of Texas, owns property at 2035 South Collegiate Drive (the "Property" or the
"Site") which it leases to the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial Museum, Inc. ("RRVVMM,
Inc."), at which site the organization has constructed the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial
Museum (the "Memorial"); and
WHEREAS, RRVVMM, Inc. has recently expanded the Memorial and is applying to the
US Army Tank -Automotive and Armaments Command (the Command) for a donation of
combat materiel, should such equipment become available, for a future static display, thus
adding to the collection of combat materiel currently on display at the site; and
WHEREAS, the Command, as part of said application, requires a resolution from the
City, as owner of the property, approving the installation and display of said equipment on
the Property; and
WHEREAS, on January 8, 2024 the City Council of the City of Paris met in regular
session and considered and voiced its support for RRVVMM, Inc.'s application for said
equipment and granted its approval the installation and display of the equipment at the site;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1. The findings set out in the preamble to this resolution are hereby in all
things approved and are incorporated herein for all purposes.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Paris hereby supports the application to
the US Army Tank -Automotive and Armaments Command to add combat equipment for
static display and grants its approval for the installation for said combat equipment at the
City -owned Property located at 2035 South Collegiate Drive, Paris, Texas.
Section 3. That this resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
DULY PASSED AND APPROVED this 8th day of January, 2024.
Reginald B. Hughes, Mayor
ATTEST:
Janice Ellis, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney