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|
For Immediate Release 10/13/2012 |
Contact: Sara Neumann | Lee Allen (202) 414-0788 | (202) 393-0090 |
Top National Leaders Join Gold Star Families for Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall
Center to Tell Stories of Vietnam War and Post-9/11 Fallen
WASHINGTON (November 19, 2012) – Gold Star family members will be joined by Congressional leaders, senior military officers, and veterans for the ceremonial groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall Wednesday, November 28. Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will deliver remarks during the ceremony. The Education Center at The Wall will be a national landmark dedicated to bringing to life the stories of the more than 58,000 American service members lost in the Vietnam War. It will also tell the stories of the fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan, serving as a temporary place of remembrance until today’s veterans receive their own national honor.
“The Education Center at The Wall is a place where important values – Duty, Service, Courage, and Integrity – will be celebrated. It is proper that the new veterans, and those now in combat zones, will be honored at this special place” said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The Education Center’s “Wall of Faces” exhibit will give visitors an intimate look at the lives of those lost in the Vietnam conflict, as told by the 400,000 items that loved ones, friends and visitors have left at the Vietnam War Memorial since 1982. Another exhibit will tell the story of America’s legacy of service in our nation’s military through the multigenerational voices of veterans who served from 1775 through today. The section remembering those lost in Iraq and Afghanistan will be enhanced to serve as an interim national memorial to today’s heroes. Digital photos of the fallen from these wars will provide visitors an appreciation for each of the Americans who gave their life in those conflicts.
“The veterans of the Vietnam War know what it is like to wait for a memorial – a healing place – to be authorized and constructed. Today’s heroes shouldn’t have to wait,” said Scruggs. “Our goal is to have The Education Center at The Wall open in time to welcome home our last troops returning from Afghanistan.”
Honorary Groundbreaking Committee members include President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, Speaker of the House John Boehner, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Governor Rick Perry, General Colin Powell, Admiral Michael Mullen, General Peter Pace, General Richard Myers, General Wesley Clark, General James Jones, Marvin Kalb, James P. Hoffa, Jimmy Buffett, Senator Chuck Hagel, American Gold Star Mothers, Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America, and more.
The ceremonial groundbreaking will be preceded by a prayer breakfast on Capitol Hill.
Event: Ceremonial Groundbreaking of The Education Center at The Wall
Date/Time: November 28, 2012, 10 – 11:15 a.m.
Speakers include: Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta
Vietnam Veteran Dr. Michael McClung, USMC, Gold Star Father of Major Megan McClung, USMC, KIA Iraq
Location: Washington, D.C. on the National Mall (Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Avenue, NW)
Media: Media interested in attending must RSVP by November 26 to Sara Neumann at sneumann@susandavis.comor 202-414-0788.
About VVMF and The Education Center at The Wall
Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. The Education Center at The Wall is a place on our National Mall where our military heroes' stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten. To date, $47 million of the $85 million necessary to commence construction has been raised. Support The Education Center at The Wall by visiting www.buildthecenter.org or call (866) 990-WALL.
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