20Th Anniversary Tribute Journal
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June 17 – 20, 2010 Washington, D.C. Education Center at The Wall www.buildthecenter.org 1-866-990-WALL The Education Center at The Wall vital part The Wall played in helping • A Wall of Faces showing pictures of will tell the stories behind every name to heal the bitter divisions that tore at the service members whose names on the Wall. It will help visitors the nation’s heart and soul. are on The Wall, understand the courage, sacrifi ce and The Education Center at The Wall will • Some of the more than 100,000 devotion of those who fell, those who speak for those who cannot, honoring personal items placed at The Wall in returned, and those who waited. the legacy of the courageous men and tribute over the years, While learning truths about the women who have served and continue • A timeline of the Vietnam War, Vietnam War, visitors will also to serve in America’s armed forces • A sequence of images of those who discover how the Memorial shaped with displays related to the history of served throughout America’s history, the ways Americans mourn, and the the Vietnam Memorial: and still do today. Honoring Every Name on The Wall SDIT will be raising awareness for its nationwide grassroots campaign to raise at least one dollar for each of the 58,267 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The monies raised will support the construction of the Education Center at The Wall. More information about the SDIT ‘Honoring Every Name on The Wall’ campaign can be found on the SDIT Web site at www.sdit.org. Sons and Daughters In Touch P.O.Box 1596 Arlington, VA 22210 Tel.: 1-800-984-9994 • www.SDIT.org )$0,/,(681,7('&21*5$78/$7(6 6216 '$8*+7(56,1728&+21<($562)6(59,&( 722851$7,216*2/'67$5)$0,/,(6$1',6 3528'72$11281&(7+( :::*2/'67$5)$0,/<5(*,675<&20 …and a special thanks to the following individuals who made generous contributions: Benefactors: Karen Sawyer Blick (in Honor of Johnnie P. Sawyer, USA) Bonnie Carroll Veterans of Foreign Wars Dana Davila (in Honor of Robert F. Worley, USAF) “Red” Flegal Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Giveanhour.org Jessica Grove (Giveanhour) Lisa Gough Vietnam Veterans of America Alan Greilsamer Kyle Harper & Brian Bauman (TAPS) Gail Hosking-Gilberg ViêtNow (in Honor of Charles E. Hosking, USA) Rose Lee, Gold Star Wives of America Mary Pasley Families United Mokie Porter Holly Rotondi Joyce Sharman (honoring her brother Patron: John J. McLay, Panel 35 W, Row 11) David Sheehan Tragedy Assistance Program for (in Honor of David F. Sheehan) Survivors (TAPS) Matthew Taliaferro (in Honor of Glen J. Taliaferro, USAF) VVA Chapter 82, Nassau County, NY Supporters: (in Honor of George C. Lane, MOH) Gold Star Mothers of America National Park Service ConocoPhillips Company Brian Wise SignCo Anaheim, Anaheim, CA Rick Weidman Tom Welsh Raffa & Associates, Washington, DC 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Ranroy Printing Company, San Diego, CA Commemorative Commission Table of Contents Chairman’s Welcome Letter .................................................................... 3 Events ...................................................................................................... 4 Participants General George W. Casey ................................................................. 5 Major General Robert M. Worley, II ................................................ 6 Jan Scruggs ....................................................................................... 7 Elaine Roach ..................................................................................... 8 “They Were Our Fathers” ........................................................................ 9 History of SDIT .................................................................................... 13 Congressional Resolution ..................................................................... 18 Letters General George W. Casey ............................................................... 20 Major General Robert M. Worley, II .............................................. 21 National League of Families of POW/MIA ................................... 22 ViêtNow .......................................................................................... 23 Vietnam Veterans of America ......................................................... 24 Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund .................................................. 25 American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. ................................................. 26 American Gold Star Wives, Inc. ..................................................... 27 Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) ....................... 28 American WWII Orphans Network ................................................ 29 Senator John Kerry ......................................................................... 30 Senator John McCain ..................................................................... 31 Congressman Joe Baca ................................................................... 32 Congressman Allen Boyd ............................................................... 33 Congressman Eni F.H. Faleomavaega ............................................ 34 Congressman Jim Marshall ............................................................ 35 Congressman Walt Minnick ........................................................... 36 Congressman Silvestre Reyes ........................................................ 37 Congressman Mike Thompson ....................................................... 38 Supporters Veterans of Foreign Wars ................................................................39 Education Center at The Wall ................................ inside front cover National Gold Star Family Registry ....................... inside back cover Acknowledgements ................................................................. back cover Cover: SDIT 20th Anniversary Lapel Pin Photo Credits: Gary Lee, page 4. Melanie Danna, pages 12–13. The Timeline and Community Activities photos are by Gary Lee, Melanie Danna, and Layna Peltier. The back cover photo is by Dan Arant, provided courtesy of the VVMF. All other photos are the property of their respective owners and are used with permission. 1 Our Mission: To locate, unite and provide support to Sons, Daughters and other family members of those who died or remain missing as a result of the Vietnam War; to produce a quarterly newsletter providing important information to all SDIT stakeholders; to promote healing via networking and special projects, to regularly address high schools and college classes in hopes of providing education on the historical and emotional legacy of war. SDIT Father’s Day 2010 Planning Committee: Cathy Altomare Dave Pendergraft (Daughter of Daniel S. Brittian, USMC:66) (son of Ray D. Pendergraft, USMC:67) Jeanette Chervony Denise Reed (daughter of Eddie Chervony, USA:68) (daughter of Harold B. Reed, USA:66) Tony Cordero Kelly Rihn (son of William E. Cordero, USAF:65) (daughter of Joel D. Coleman, USA:66) Melanie Danna Elaine Roach (daughter of Joseph J. Danna, USA:70) (daughter of Harold Roach, USN:64) Sue Gough Jim Sampers (daughter of David A. Sanford, USA:68) (son of James W. Sampers, USN:69) Daniel Jordan Colleen Shine (son of Daniel Jordan, USA:67 (daughter of Anthony C. Shine, USAF:72) Laurette Kanavos Dennis Shine (daughter of Michael Rand, USA:66) (son of Dennis F. Shine, USA:69) Patty Lee Cindy Smith (daughter of Delbert C. Totty, USA:67) (daughter of Richard L. Sanders, USA:67) Sue Mattera Dave Smith (daughter of James C. Mitchell, USN:70) (son of James A. Smith, USN:66) Linda McBrayer Mike Stasko (daughter of Thomas Soliz, USMC:67) (son of Thomas W. Stasko, USA:66) Terry McGregor Stacy Swenck (son of Donald V. McGregor, USA:63) (daughter of Robert B. Swenck, USAF:71) SDIT Board Members: Tony Cordero Kelly Rihn Melanie Danna Elaine Roach Laurette Kanavos Jim Sampers Patty Lee Dennis Shine Sue Mattera Mike Taylor 2 Welcome to the 20th Anniversary celebration of Sons and Daughters In Touch Two decades ago, this organization was formed because most ‘sons and daughters’ didn’t know anyone else who lost their father in the Vietnam War, nor had they ever seen their fathers’ names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Today, the common bond that unites us also gives life to ‘The Wall.’ Equally important, that bond challenges us to be resilient examples of triumph to a new generation of America’s Gold Star children. So many deserve acknowledgement for building SDIT over the past 20 years, there are not enough pages to list them here. To every Gold Star ‘son and daughter,’ to every Gold Star Mother and Gold Star Wife, to every Vietnam Veteran, and each member of our families who has supported the cause of SDIT — thank you and congratulations! Rather than trying to fi nd more appropriate words to celebrate this milestone, I’ll defer to the Congress of the United States of America. (see page 18) On this Father’s Day and on every day, I wish you Peace. Tony Cordero 3 Events The following are brief descriptions Information Seminar Father’s Day Ceremony of the SDIT activities for An information seminar to be held This is the culmination of the June 17 – 20, 2010 Saturday morning to include the Father’s Day 2010 celebration. following: Held at the Vietnam Veterans Sharing Circles • 12 minute trailer of a fi lm about Memorial, the ceremony will Informal group sessions offering Gold Star children by Mitty Mirrer feature words and music that pay the opportunity to listen, share and tribute to our fathers. SDIT and • presentation from VVMF