The Huber Heights Military and Veterans Commission on Oct. 22 decided to remove a planned Air Force flyover from its Veterans Day program because the federal shutdown has put military participation on hold, and the commission voted to pursue an estimated budget of up to $3,500 to sponsor Wayne High School football jerseys for Military Night.

Commission member A, a member of the Huber Heights Military and Veterans Commission, said the commission received an email from the Air Force informing the group that "because of the shutdown our flyover has been canceled" and that the military website for coordinating the flyover was inaccessible. With that uncertainty, members agreed to remove the flyover from the program rather than risk announcing an event that might not occur.

The commission agreed to proceed with a single guest speaker and to have the Junior ROTC present colors. Members discussed options for a civilian chaplain or alternative speakers after military chaplains indicated they could not commit while the shutdown continues. "If we can't get everybody here for an official meeting, we can always get together somewhere so we can go over things we need to do," Commission member B said while the group discussed scheduling and logistics.

On new business, the commission heard a request from a school athletic director to sponsor team jerseys bearing a military-themed emblem. A commissioner presented a budget estimate of $2,500 to $3,500, based on an approximate roster of 60 players paying about $40 to $60 per jersey. The commission then voted to move forward with seeking approval and a firm quote; the motion to pursue the sponsorship and budget authorization was made, seconded and "motion carried," with no roll-call tally recorded in the transcript.

Members directed staff and volunteers to: seek firm quotes and design input from the school athletic director; contact potential chaplains or civilian alternatives; confirm whether recruiting or other military participation would be affected by the shutdown; and continue coordinating logistics (equipment, a pop-up table for outreach materials, and etched pavers). The commission also noted this Oct. 22 meeting would be its last official meeting of the year and discussed a tentative meeting on Nov. 3 to finalize Veteran's Day plans.

The commission did not reference any federal or local statutes in the discussion. Several members emphasized contingency planning in the event the shutdown continues, including staging with fewer personnel and ensuring the colors and a guest speaker are present even if military assets cannot attend.

The commission said it will obtain a firm jersey quote from the school and return to vote on the specific dollar amount once the quote is in hand. The transcript records the motion and its approval but does not record a numerical vote count or the names of the motion maker and seconder.