Welcome to The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial
Plaque Project's album of pictures from the dedication ceremony
conducted November 10, 2004 by Vietnam
Veterans of America. Thanks to all who have helped to accomplish
this important element of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington,
D.C.
November 10, 2004
Vietnam Veterans of America Dedicates
The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial
Plaque
Vietnam War In Memory Plaque Project Photos by
Barry Fitzgerald except as noted
Katie Flynn-Bugge distributes roses before the ceremony.
In Memory
James G. Zumwalt, Ruth Coder Fitzgerald, visit
prior to ceremony
VVA's Rick Weidman, Charlie Montgomery and participants
before ceremony
Rick Weidman prepares to begin ceremony. Seated from
right are VVA past president
George Duggins, AVVA president Mary Miller, and VVA president
Tom Corey.
Ryan Maxwell Blank, who played Taps at close of ceremony.
Pre-ceremony conversations
VVA Past President George Duggins delivers the invocation.
Presentation of Colors by VVA Chapter 752, Culpeper,
Virginia.
Duane L. (Dewey) Feuerhelm of Churchville, VA, leads
the National Anthem.
National Park Service Representative Robert Karotko
delivers his remarks.
Mr. Karotko welcomed the dedication of the plaque, and invited
visitors to spend some time with National Park Service volunteers.
Mary Miller, George Duggins, Thomas Buckley
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald related the history of the In
Memory Plaque Project
TV feed offered the dedication ceremony to a wider
audience.
Some audience members remained standing throughout
the ceremony.
On behalf of the board of the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial,
Inc.,
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald voiced appreciation to all who helped to
achieve
the In Memory Plaque.
Robert A. Martin, of the Fredericksburg,
VA, Free Lance-Star,
(click link for FLS photos, story) was among the news photographers
covering the In Memory Plaque's dedication.
Thomas Buckley lost his wife, former Army surgical nurse
Lynda
Van Devanter, to Agent Orange/Dioxin. She was a
highly regarded veterans' advocate whose memoir, Home
Before Morning, helped to inspire China Beach.
Mr. Buckley urged veterans and families to be aware of the
possibility that post-war illnesses may be Vietnam service-related.
VVA President Tom Corey delivered remarks on behalf
of veterans and introduced the moment of remembrance, during
which glowsticks were illuminated and those attending spoke loved
ones' names.
John Rowan, New York State VVA, read his poem, The
Other Side of the Wall
Moment of Remembrance illuminations
In Memory Plaque Project Secretary Nicolina Corey, (center) joined
fellow participants filing past the memorial following the dedication.
VVA President Tom Corey views the In Memory Plaque
Enchanted
Florist contributed symbolic white roses
VVA President Tom Corey with former Fredericksburg,
Virginia, Mayor Bill Beck and Ruth Coder Fitzgerald
Ruth with fellow Plaque Project board member Michael
Fluck and family
Dan Bowles and Lisa Hoffman talked after the ceremony.
In Memory Plaque Project advisory board member James G. Zumwalt,
his mother, Mrs. Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and Diane Bowles
Photo courtesy Diane Bowles
Diane Bowles with In Memory Plaque Project advisory board members
Carla Carolan and Genevieve Douglass Beckham, and Ruth Coder
Fitzgerald
Photo courtesy Diane Bowles
Vietnam veterans Rick Taylor, of Texas, and Clark Johnson, of
Utah,
served in the Second Battallion, First Marines, visited the In
Memory
Plaque Friday morning after Veterans Day.
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Johnson voiced approval of the plaque, which
honors veterans including their USMC unit's Lewis B. Puller,
Jr.
Some visitors have reported
difficulty in finding the In Memory Plaque. As indicated on the
National Park Service Website, The memorial stone tablet is set
cathedral-style into a newly extended Three Servicemen Statue
plaza, with views toward the Wall and Women's Memorial.
|