By Tanna Friday
Editor
TRUSSVILLE – On Tuesday evening, the Trussville City Council and citizens fell silent during Wayne Odell’s Wreaths Across America presentation asking for the city and local businesses to support to remember fallen U.S. veterans, specifically five killed in action (KIA) soldiers.
Odell, president of the Fleet Reserve Association, a congressionally chartered, non-profit organization representing the interest of Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel, first provided a mission and goal of the Wreaths Across America annual event.
“I am here tonight to represent Three Hots and a Cot because I am the spokesperson for Wreaths Across America,” said Odell. “I am coming before the City Council asking for a proclamation to recognize the 2018 Wreaths Across America which will be Dec. 15.
The Wreaths Across America, founded in 2007 after the Arlington Wreath Project, remembers the fallen U.S. veterans, honors those who serve and teaches children the value of freedom. This will be the third year for Trussville to participate in the Wreaths Across America at Jefferson Home Memorial the third Saturday of December.
Odell mentioned four out of the five KIAs buried in Trussville.
“I asked permission to read these names who were killed in action. All five young men gave it all,” said Odell.
- Jason Wayne Stegall, 30, Sergeant of the U.S. Army and graduate of Hewitt-Trussville High School, was born Aug. 3, 1978 and killed in action on Dec. 14, 2009. He was two months, 10 days short of his 31st birthday.
- Michael Wesley Posey, 27, Staff Sargent of the U.S. Army and graduate of Clay-Chalkville High School, was born Sept. 23, 1983 and was killed in action on Sept. 17, 2011. He received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was six days short of reaching his 28th birthday.
- Kelly Stephen Prewitt, 24, Private of the U.S. Army and graduate of Cathedral Christian High School, was born Nov. 15, 1978 and killed in action on April 16, 2003. He received a Purple Heart. He was five months and 1 day short of his 25th birthday.
- William Zeke Van Staall, 22, Specialist of the U.S. Army and graduate of Pinson Valley High School, was born on June 13, 1986 and killed in action on Aug. 19, 2009. He received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was two months and six days short of his 23rd birthday.
“These are the young men that we try to make sure wreaths are laid on those graves as well as every other veteran in the veteran’s area at Jefferson Memorial.”
Odell explained to the Council that the wreaths are laid by active duty recruiters laying wreaths for each branch of service. Some of which are local recruiters in the area.
“We are asking for business and community participation in this event,” said Odell. “Last year, if it wasn’t for veterans’ organizations, we would not have had any wreaths. The businesses in Hoover overbought and gave us wreaths for our area. I don’t want this to happen again. I want businesses and the community to participate in our Wreaths Across America.”
“These young men laid their lives on the line for us, as Americans. They deserve better from the citizens of Trussville,” he continued. “It is very important that we take care of our KIAs. I’m just asking the City of Trussville to step up and do a better job of our laying of the wreaths.”
In other business, the Council approved:
- Minutes from May 22, 2018;
- Agenda, Consent Agenda, and Agenda Addendum;
- Ordinance 2018-010 ADM for erosion control, illicit discharge, and post construction storm water management;
- Ordinance 2018-011 PZ to rezone 8009 Bethune Parkway from R-2 to RG;
- Ordinance 2018-012 PZ to rezone 10 acres between Hawkridge Road and Simmons Drive from I-2 to R-G;
- Ordinance 2018-013 PZ to pre-zone Quarry Road properties from A-1 to C-2;
- Ordinance 2018-014 PZ to pre-zone 8080 Gadsden highway from I-1, A-1 to C-1;
- Resolution 2018-015 for project tax sharing agreement Trussville Commercial Investments, LLC.;
- Ordinance 2018-015 ANX for the annexation of 5330, 5334, 5342, 6104 and 6110 Old Quarry Road;
- Ordinance 2018-016 ANX for the annexation of 8080 Gadsden Highway;
- Resolution 2018-016 to surplus fire department vehicles (old staff vehicle and tanker);
- Resolution 2018-017 to direct grant funds to the Chamber of Commerce;
- Merit increases, effective June 9, for Inspections, Fire, Public Works, Court;
- Promotion of JR Malchus, Sr. Plans Examiner;
- Education incentive pay for Michael Hicks, Fire Department;
- Paramedic pay for Justin Grogan, Fire Department;
- Investigator pay for Officer James McCool, Police Department;
- Contract with HPM for bid and construction management services downtown;
- Accounts payable AAPPA Worker’s Compensation Jensen – Auburn – Aug. 10, 2018 -$150, plus 1 night’s lodging and meal;
- Certified voice Stress Analyzer Course – Rob Hicks – PD – Northport, AL – Oct 1-5, 2018 – $1,295.00, plus lodging;
- Mass Fatalities Planning & Response – Morrette & Bradford – PD – Jacksonville, AL – June 19 – No cost;
- EMS World Expo – Nashville – Cindy Jones – Oct 29-Nov 2, 2018 – $350 plus expenses;
- Firefighter Combat Challenge – Benton, Clifton, Lovvorn, Massey, Robert, & Tinney – Montgomery – June 29-30 – $980 total registration, plus three rooms for one night;
- Merit increases effective June 9, 2018 – Scott Mann, Inspections, Grade 23, Step 5 Clifford Moore, Fire, Grade 20, Step 8, plus 15% Terry Summerrow, Public Works, Grade 7, Step 6;
- Merit increases effective June 23, 2018 Zykeisha Randle, Court, Grade 19, Step 2 Brian Nabers, Park & Rec, Grade 7, Step 6 Promote JR Malchus, Sr. Plans Examiner, Grade 26, Step 3 effective June 9, 2018;
- Approve education incentive pay for Michael Hicks – FD – 5%, eff June 9, 2018 Approve Paramedic pay for Justin Grogan – FD – 5%, eff June 9, 2018;
- Approve investigator pay for Officer James McCool – PD effective 6-9-2018; and
- Approve Contract with HPM for bid and construction management services downtown.
The next Council workshop is scheduled for next Thursday, June 21 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The next Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, 2018.