Newsletter - February 2012

 

Take Two Minutes to Honor a Hero

This month, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) introduces a video series titled, "Never Forget Our Heroes" focusing on the history of the Vietnam war, its impacts, and the American response to its occurrence and conclusion.

The series will also focus on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and its contribution to the healing of our nation's veterans and their families.  Notable people, places, and events that have shaped both VVMF and The Wall itself will be highlighted, along with supporters who have contributed to the memory of our greatest service members and their stories.

"Never Forget Our Heroes" can be viewed here. It only takes two minutes to honor our greatest heroes.

General Barry McCaffrey Assumes Command

"Supporters of the ARMY are already leading the way..."

With these words, General Barry McCaffrey launched this year's VVMF Service Branch Challenge. Now it's up to the other services to lace up their combat boots, strap on their gear, and get mobilized. Marines, Sailors, Airmen, and Coast Guardsmen have from now until Veterans Day 2012 to commission leaders, enlist troops, draw up battle plans, and meet the challenge.

Which service will be the first to reach its goal? Which units will rise to the challenge? It's easy to get involved. Will you donate $1 for each person who served in your unit? Will you step up as a leader and accept the goal of raising $100 for each name name on The Wall from your division? The time is NOW, and the 2012 Service Branch Challenge needs leaders who will inspire...and who won't rest until the battle is won.

Log on to www.vvmf.org/BranchChallenge. Set your goals and let us help you. We will publicize your mission, and promote your efforts.

"The Education Center at The Wall will be a place where our fallen comrades and their stories will live on forever," continued McCaffrey. "I'm proud to lend my support and encourage those who love the US Army to get involved. I challenge leaders of the other branches to step up to try and catch us."

 

 To enlist in the Service Branch Challenge now, click here.

 To view the progress of the Challenge, click here.

Volunteer Strengthens Legacy of Vietnam Service Members

VVMF volunteer Mike Gormalley has been actively volunteering for the National Call for Photos program, an initiative to collect the stories and photographs of the more than 58,000 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. 

Gormalley has sent letters to various VFW Posts and governors' offices, aggressively campaigning for photographs and remembrances in both California and Connecticut. His work has enabled veterans' issues to be on the forefront of the agendas in both states.

Gormalley (center) with Vietnam Memorial Wall volunteers Paul Stancliff (left) and Art Drescher (right).

Through the help of Mr. Gormalley and others, VVMF is able to collect and share the stories and sacrifices of our greatest heroes in Vietnam.  These stories will be shared in the Education Center at The Wall, a state-of-the-art complex on our National Mall that will display these memories and their accompanying photographs for generations to come.

VVMF thanks Mr. Gormalley and his tireless dedication to the National Call for Photos and our veterans.

To learn how you can help the National Call for Photos, click here.

To learn more about the Education Center at The Wall, click here.

To make a donation to the Education Center, click here.

Make Plans Now To Be A Part of the 30th Anniversary of The Wall

Volunteers Needed to Read All 58,272 Names

As part of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of The Wall, VVMF has launched the application process for The Reading of the Names ceremony.  Beginning on November 7th, The Reading of the Names is a four-day event where all 58,272 names inscribed on The Wall are read aloud by volunteers.

The reading will begin following a ceremony at the Memorial at 3:00 p.m. on November 7. The event will span 65 hours over a four-day period, during which nearly 2,000 volunteers will read the 58,272 names inscribed on The Wall. The names will be read in the order they fell.

The Reading of the Names during the 25th Anniversary of The Wall

The Reading of the Names is an essential part of the 30th anniversary of The Wall commemoration. The week of events will culminate with the annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11.

 For more information and to volunteer for The Reading of the Names, please visit:www.vvmf.org/ROTN or click here.

 If you would like to make a donation in support of our 30th Anniversary programs, please click here.

Have You Read Our Blog?

Read our weekly VVMF blog, written by Founder and President Jan C. Scruggs.  Topics include: the Education Center at The Wall, VVMF's Service Branch Challenge, and other veterans' issues.

Recent blogs:

"The Service Branch Challenge" - February 7, 2011

"The Price for Your Dog Tag Has Already Been Paid" - February 3, 2012

"Conspicuous Heroism Celebrated Here" - January 30, 2012

Also, don't forget to like VVMF on Facebook:

Like us here!

and Twitter @VVMF.
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    The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund takes our stewardship of your donations seriously. The programs we fund are designed to help us achieve our mission of preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.