The Education Center at The Wall
Go inside the Education Center at The Wall and see what it will be with your help.
News
House Passes H.R. 588, Clearing a Path for Proper Recognition within the Education Center
With 398-2 floor vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 588, the Vietnam Veterans Donor Acknowledgement Act of 2013. The bipartisan bill, authored by Congressman Don Young (R-AK) and co-sponsored by 38 other members of Congress, now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration and action. When enacted, the bill will correct a problem with the original legislation that authorized the construction of the Education Center at The Wall, making it possible for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) to acknowledge donor contributions by displaying, inside the facility, an appropriate statement or credit acknowledging the contribution. Read More
NewDay USA Foundation makes a $1 million commitment to Build The Center
NewDay USA was the exclusive sponsor of the Wall-washing that took place in the early morning hours at The Wall to honor and remember friends and loved ones. After the scrubbing was completed, the group convened on the ceremonial grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for the presentation of a $1 million check to the VVMF from the NewDay USA Foundation, the tax-exempt, principal instrument of philanthropy for NewDay USA. The ceremonial check was presented by Rob Posner, Co-Chairman of the NewDay USA Foundation to Jan C. Scruggs, VVMF Founder and President. Read More
Wall Volunteer Donation Honors Sgt. Gary Phillips
Wall Volunteer Michael McMahon has ensured that West Jefferson’s Sergeant Gary T. Phillips, who was killed on Dec. 13, 1969 while serving in Vietnam, will never be forgotten. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund received the donation as part of the Faces Never Forgotten program to help build the Education Center at The Wall. The Faces Never Forgotten program is an effort to put a face and a story to each name on The Wall through the generosity of those willing to help locate the photos and make financial contributions to build the Education Center. The outcome of the program will ensure that this vital piece of history will be remembered and honored by visitors from around the globe for generations to come. Read More
Ohio Soldier Honored and Remembered
Wall Volunteer Michael McMahon has ensured that Newark’s Corporal David A. McIntyre, who was killed on Dec. 13, 1969 while serving in Vietnam, will never be forgotten. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund received the donation as part of the Faces Never Forgotten program to help build the Education Center at The Wall. Read More
Wall Volunteer ensures Hudsonville soldier will never be forgotten
Wall Volunteer Michael McMahon has ensured that Hudsonville’s Sgt. Gary Gryzen, who was killed on Dec. 13, 1969 while serving in Vietnam, will never be forgotten. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund received the donation as part of the Faces Never Forgotten program to help build the Education Center at The Wall. Read More
West Point Graduate Donates in Honor of His Fallen Classmates
William Murdy has been involved with VVMF, trying to build the Education Center at The Wall, from the start. The Vietnam veteran and Chairman of Comfort Systems USA provided some of the initial funding to begin the project, and now he has donated again. Like others, Murdy has accepted the challenge to become part of the Faces Never Forgotten campaign, and has contributed in honor of his 23 fallen 1964 West Point classmates. Read More
“Gunny” Donates to Build The Education Center at The Wall
Philadelphia Marine veteran Gunnery Sergeant Frank “Gunny” Thompson was recognized for a significant donation in honor fellow service members inscribed on The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. One of the service members Thompson donated in honor of was PFC Daniel D. Bruce, a fellow Marine. PFC Bruce was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor after he was killed on March 1, 1969 when he caught enemy explosive charge and shielded his fellow Marines from the resulting explosion saving all three of their lives. Thompson escorted Bruce’s remains back to Michigan City, Indiana after his gallant action. Read More
If I Had The Means, I Would Give Enough To Build It…
Of the seven young men who went to fight in Vietnam from R. L. Turner High School class of 1967 in Carrollton, Texas, Michael Johnson was the only one to come back. Johnson is leading a Faces Never Forgotten personal fundraising campaign in honor of his six classmates and many of the kids of R. L. Turner High School have donated to his campaign. “If I had the means, I would give enough to build it,” Johnson said. “I don’t. But I’m doing what I can.” Read More
Virginia Man Joins Effort to Build The Center
Waynesboro veteran Michael Harris is leading local efforts to recognize the 22 service members from the Augusta County, Va. area whose names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Harris was one of hundreds of the area’s youth in the late 1960s. He was inspired to serve by people like his father in a war few understood or supported. He enlisted in the Air Force, joining thousands during the Vietnam War. Upon returning to Virginia, he joined the Virginia State Police and rose quickly up its ranks. “I never forgot the men and women I served with,” Harris said. “I always was grateful that I was able to come home.” Read More
Separating the War from the Warriors
TIME - The past decade has not been a pleasant time for many who serve in our armed forces. Many recall holidays deployed in danger zones far from home. Places like Fallujah, Kandahar and Bagdad brought our troops many challenges. America has had over 50,000 wounded, nearly 7,000 dead. Others have injuries like PTSD, tinnitus and Traumatic Brain Injury. Wars have costs — often profound — for the warriors. Read More
MOH Recipient Giunta Supports Education Center
The veterans of the Vietnam War know what it is like to wait for a memorial to be authorized and created. On behalf of those who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, we are grateful that they are ensuring that a memorial for our generation will be ready to welcome the last of our troops returning from Afghanistan in 2014. I encourage our nation to support the construction of The Education Center to keep alive the stories of those we have lost. Once you learn what they gave for our country, you’ll understand why I consider them the true heroes. Read More
Top National Leaders Join Gold Star Families for Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The Education Center
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. Read More
VVMF Announces Ceremonial Groundbreaking
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) will be holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Education Center at The Wall at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesda.y, November 28, 2012 at the future site of The Education Center at The Wall (Ball Fields at the Corner of Henry Bacon Drive and Constitution Ave., NW) Read More
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Chairman to Visit Pensacola
On Wednesday, October 10, John Dibble, Chairman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) will visit Pensacola, Florida to detail the Fund’s mission to honor the more than 58,000 service-members inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, DC. During a luncheon hosted by at the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association’s Pensacola Chapter, Mr. Dibble will present the latest plans for the Education Center at The Wall. - Read More
VVMF Receives $2,000 donation for Faces Never Forgotten
Vietnam Veteran Manny Santayana joined the list of notable donors who are trying to raise $1,000 per name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Santayana made the $2,000 gift in memory of THOMAS WALTER KLORAN and RICHARD ROBERT RYNKIEWICZ, both from his hometown of Luzerne, PA. Read More
Tom Ridge Named 2012 Charles “Mac” Mathias Award Recipient
VVMF is proud to present the Charles “Mac” Mathias Award to The Honorable Tom Ridge, for his exemplary service and his lifelong dedication to the country. Ridge served in Vietnam as an infantry staff sergeant, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Throughout his career, Governor Ridge consistently answered the call to service as a former soldier, congressmen, governor and cabinet member and has built a reputation on achieving results and working tirelessly for the protection and betterment of the United States. Read More
Anonymous Gift Completes $1 Million “Texas Challenge”
On July 14, 2010, San Antonio Spurs owner Peter M. Holt issued a challenge to Texas residents to raise funds, promising, “Raise a million and I’ll match it.” Today, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund announces that an anonymous Texas donor has contributed the final $200,000 needed to complete the challenge. Read More
Cardinal Edwin O’Brien to Receive 2012 Legacy of Service Award
The Legacy of Service award honors individuals who promote American values of freedom, justice and duty through steadfast service and tireless dedication to the men and women in the US Armed Forces, veterans and their families. The award will be presented to Vietnam veteran Cardinal Edwin O'Brien at the 2012 Build The Center Benefit Gala on November 8, 2012 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC. Read More
National Capital Planning Commission Approves Building and Site Plans for The Education Center
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) announces that the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) today approved Preliminary building and site plans for the Education Center at The Wall. Read More
A Welcome Home for America’s Soldiers in 2014
America has been at war since 2001. Even though only a small percentage of the American population has been busy with the fighting, more than 30,000 have been wounded and nearly 7,000 have died. There will be more casualties in Afghanistan before it is said and done. One has many emotions when visiting these injured soldiers in military hospitals. Many Americans have not even met a soldier who has been fighting overseas. Read More