James C. Fluck

Harvey D. Corey

Lovell Brandon

John K. Coder

Kathleen Glover Lewis

Jimmy D. Miller

Lewis B. Puller, Jr.

Michael Carolan

Elmo R. Zumwalt III

John R. Brejla

Gary L. Gray

Robert A. Douglass

Keith Voyne Ganskow, Jr.

Robert L. Stogdale

Gary Alan Peck

Scotty D. Blakeney

Stephen T. Anderson

William E. Bowles, Jr.

July 31, 1931

Robert P. Olszewski

Gerald "Pete" Smith

Richard H. Marciniak

George Puglia, Jr.

Charles Bruce Bryant

Kenneth V. Ewing

Frank L. Hoch

William A. 'Bill' Baker

Stephen T. Simpson

Martin L. "Quietly" 
Kaufman 

Robert L. Marlow

Wayne Travis Searles, Sr.

Lewis Fred Cleveland

Franklin Delanor Hill

Daniel Patrick Henry

Larry R. Hatcher

Robert G. Miner

William David Weathers

Richard Neil Kanea

Ernest Bill Holdren

James R."Pappy" Miller, Sr.

Samuel E. Kostmayer III

John Henry Bauer

Larry Norbert Matz

Willis W. Conley

Jimmy Darryl Bradley

Mike Miller

Austin Leigh Cable

Joseph Ferencz

Karl Douglas Fields

Lance A. Eagan

G.R. "Chap" McCahan, Jr.

Carl William Melton

David R. Chamberlain

Howard Keith Williams

Joseph A. Webster

James Eugene Henderson

Dennis R.J. Graham

Louis E. (Wes)
Westerburg III

Michael Raymond Redding

Broadus Ayers Crabtree, Jr.

James David Cowles

Gregg D. Larson

John J. Hogan

Gary D. Berry

James E. Wright

Marvin Lowell Mack

Jimmy Rogers Cauley

William F. O'Connell

Larry E. Shehorn

Nelson C. Hughes

The In Memory Plaque Project Visual Testament

These veterans' photos were provided by family members to symbolically represent the countless men and women whose lives ended prematurely as a result of their service in the Vietnam War.

 
Since Vietnam, Americans who served their country in Southeast Asia in this nation's longest war continue to suffer premature deaths related to their service, due to Agent Orange induced illnesses post- traumatic stress disorder, and a growing register of other causes.

The Department of Veterans Affairs maintains no comprehensive records of these "hidden casualties of Vietnam." Their names will never be inscribed on the Wall.

There is a void at the Wall, in the words of one of these veterans' widows. To help bridge the void, the nonprofit Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project formed in the mid-90's and obtained overwhelming Congressional approval for a privately funded ground-level plaque on the Memorial grounds, bearing no names, but designed and worded to acknowledge and commemorate these postwar casualties. Public Law 106-214 directs the American Battle Monuments Commission to solicit and accept private contributions for the plaque, and to accomplish its placement in consultation with the architects of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.

It would be impossible to identify by name all of the postwar casualties for whom the In Memory commemorative plaque serves as a point of honor, but the symbolic recognition will call their unseen sacrifice to the attention of all who visit the Memorial, reinforcing the legendary emotional healing power of the Wall.

To accomplish the plaque, the ABMC included the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project in a working coalition with the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc. and the VVMF. A nationally respected independent architectural consultant studied the overall Vietnam Veterans Memorial site and affirmed the consensus of the ABMC staff and the memorials' architects for an appropriate and accessible location in an extension of the plaza where the Three Servicemen statue stands.

The coalition worked together to arrive at an inscription,

which, together with the proposed site and plaque design, was reviewed and approved by the ABMC, the National Capitol Memorials Commission, the National Park Service, the Commission on Fine Arts, and the National Capitol Planning Commission.

The ABMC formally unveiled the plaque, (which was installed May 7) on July 8 at 10 a.m.

The plaque was officially dedicated on Veterans Day eve, November 10, in a 7 p.m. candlelight ceremony conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®

The costs associated with placing this addition at the most-visited memorial in the nation's capitol were relatively high, primarily because the approved design called for renovation and extension of the Three Servicemen Plaza to accommodate the plaque.

Although large corporate and institutional donations were significant in advancing the project, individual and family participation has been vital in maintaining the grass-roots essence of the memorial.

For privacy reasons,the American Battle Monuments Commission, a federal agency, did not release donors' names. We invited donors to the ABMC's Vietnam Plaque Fund to notify us with individual memorial dedications or information for listings of their names, organizations or businesses on The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project's Recognition and Dedication Page.

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Scroll down to view more visual testaments and find out more about the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project ...

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Legislative History:

A constituent's letter about the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial, Inc. plaque project moved Rep. Gallegly to introduce H.R. 3293 on November 10, 1999 with 104 original co-sponsors -- an outstanding show of strong, bipartisan support which snowballed to a co-sponsorship totaling 290 (click here to see our House co-sponsors), leading to unanimous passage by a vote of 421 on May 9, 2000, followed by the measure's passage by the Senate May 25, and signing into law by the President on June 15.

"Over the years I have supported numerous pieces of legislation to support veterans of the Vietnam War and all our veterans, and I didn't have to think long before deciding to introduce this bill,"Rep. Gallegly said.

On November 16, 1999, Sen. Campbell introduced S.1921, 'The Vietnam Veterans Recognition Act of 1999.' Click here to view S.1921's 51 Senate cosponsors.

In his introductory remarks Sen. Campbell declared, "Even though these veterans may not have been killed in action while they served in the tropical jungles of Vietnam, in the end they too made the ultimate sacrifice for their country."

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Partial text of Public Law 106-214 authorizing the ABMC to place the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque:

"The American Battle Monuments Commission is authorized to place within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial a suitable plaque containing an inscription intended to honor those Vietnam veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam war, but as a direct result of that service, and whose names are not otherwise eligible for placement on the memorial wall.

The plaque shall be at least 6 square feet in size, and of whatever shape as the American Battle Monuments Commission determines to be appropriate for the site. The plaque shall bear an inscription prepared by the American Battle Monuments Commission.

In designing the plaque, preparing the inscription, and selecting the specific location for the plaque within the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the American Battle Monuments Commission shall consult with the architects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. and the Vietnam Women's Memorial, Inc.

Federal funds may not be used to design, procure, or install the plaque, the legislation stated. However, the preceding sentence does not apply to the payment of the salaries, expenses, and other benefits otherwise authorized by law for members of the American Battle Monuments Commission or other personnel (including detailees) of the American Battle Monuments Commission who carry out this section.

The American Battle Monuments Commission shall solicit and accept private contributions for the design, procurement, and installation of the plaque. The American Battle Monuments Commission shall establish an account into which the contributions will be deposited and shall maintain documentation of the contributions."

Click here to view full text.

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The links displayed below reflect the broad scope of endorsements for the In Memory plaque project concept: Year-round recognition for these veterans at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

 

Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

Virginia State Council, 
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

Hall-Howell Chapter #512 
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.® 

Vermont State Council,
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

VVA Virginia Piedmont Area Chapter 752
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

VVA Virginia Battlefield Chapter 617 
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

The Society of the 173D Airborne Brigade

The National Conference of
Vietnam Veteran Ministers

Veterans of the Vietnam War, Inc.

The Sena Foundation

Roger K. Pitman, M.D.

National Congress of American Indians

Associates-Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®

Rolling Thunder ®, Inc.

Fallen Warriors Foundation

ALLVETS, INC.

Military-Brats Registry

Veterans of Foreign Wars

AMVETS

Vietnam Women's Memorial Foundation

The Korean War Veterans Association

Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition

Connecticut Veterans' Groups (click to read)

American Legion, Department of Virginia

American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.

Rhode Island Veterans Action Center

Rhode Island Chapter 325,
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.®

United Veterans Council of Rhode Island

The Bristol, Rhode Island, Veterans Council

Italian American War Veterans of the U.S., Inc.
Bristol, Rhode Island Cappucci-Weir Post #1

Rhode Island Disabled American Veterans Lawson-Raiola No. 15, Bristol, Rhode Island

Commonwealth of Virginia General Assembly

Vietnam Veterans of America ® Region One
(Six New England States) by Special Resolution

American Veterans and Defense Alliance

The Order of the Silver Rose

Khe Sanh Veterans Association, Inc.

Agent Orange Victims & Widows Support Network and the Quilts of Tears project

 

Note: This archived site includes most information from the active site, including the name of the organization as a Virginia corporation. As was always the plan, the organization was dissolved after the Vietnam War In Memory Plaque was established. See Gateway Page.

 

Members and friends of Vietnam War In Memory Memorial, Inc. thank the late Elmo R. Zumwalt, Jr., Admiral, USN (Ret.), for his years of generous service as a charter member of the advisory board.

 

Harley-Davidson Gives

$50,000 Toward

In Memory Plaque

Washington D.C., May 27, 2001

At the Rolling Thunder XIV rally on the Mall, Jim McCaslin, President of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, presented The American Battle Monuments Commission with a $50,000 donation toward the Congressionally authorized In Memory Memorial Plaque honoring veterans who died after their service in the Vietnam War, but as a direct result of that service. The gift was made "on behalf of Harley-Davidson and our many employees, dealers and customers," McCaslin noted. 

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President Signs Gallegly Bill

To Honor Vietnam Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. - June 15 (2000) - President Clinton today signed a bill by Congressman Elton Gallegly (R-Ventura County, California) to create a plaque in the vicinity of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to honor those who died after the war, but because of the war.

The Senate approved the bill unanimously on May 24, 2000. The House of Representatives approved the bill on May 9, 2000, on a 421-0 vote.

"Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of men and women served with great honor for America and had their lives cut short because of it. They deserve to be recognized for their sacrifice," Gallegly said. "Now, with the President's signature, the loved ones of these veterans will have a symbol of healing, something they can touch and remember."

Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) guided Gallegly's bill through the Senate. Campbell had introduced his own bill in the Senate, but after discussions with Gallegly, decided to move Gallegly's bill instead so it could pass before Memorial Day.

"Hopefully...the families of those veterans will have a place in our nation's capital where their loved one's sacrifice is honored and recognized for future generations," Gallegly said.

Although the Department of Defense adds some names to the Vietnam War Memorial each year, it does not recognize many conditions as being service-related, such as Agent Orange exposure and post traumatic stress syndrome. The plaque created by Gallegly's bill would honor all whose deaths are not otherwise recognized by the monument.

Gallegly's bill attracted formidable bipartisan support. Before the bill was introduced last November, more than 100 Congress Members had signed on as cosponsors. By the time the House voted, more than 290 Members of Congress from both parties had signed onto it, more than two-thirds of the House.

Campbell's bill had 51 Senate cosponsors - more than half the Senate.

The bill authorizes the placement of a 6-square-foot to 18-square-foot plaque within the 13-acre Vietnam War Memorial site. No public funds would be used for the plaque. The inscription, design and exact placement will be approved by the American Battle Monument Commission in consultation with the National Park Service, the Commission on Fine Arts, the National Capitol Planning Commission, Vietnam Women's Memorial Inc. and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County Inc. is among the groups who have endorsed the concept of the plaque. Other groups include: Vietnam Veterans of America; Veterans of Foreign Wars; AMVETS; Vietnam Women's Memorial Inc.; Rolling Thunder; The Korean War Veterans Association; the National Congress of American Indians; the National Conference of Viet Nam Veteran Ministers; The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Inc.; the Society of the 173D Airborne Brigade; the Agent Orange Widows Awareness Coalition; American Gold Star Mothers; and Veterans of the Vietnam War Inc.

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Press Contact:

Tom Pfeifer, Press Secretary to Congressman Elton Gallegly

2427 Rayburn HOB, Washington, DC., 20515

Voice: (202) 225-1946 -- Fax: (202) 225 1100

 
Greensboro, N.C., August, 2001...

Vietnam Veterans of America

Reaffirm Support for

In Memory Memorial Plaque

       I am pleased to inform you that the resolution submitted to the delegates at the 10th National Convention passed unanimously and is now part of the official VVA family of activist resolutions.

       Congratulations and we look forward to continuing our long history of cooperation to assure the completion of this fine project.

       Jim Doyle

       Public Affairs Committee Chair

       Vietnam Veterans of America

       http://www.vva.org/

The Resolution:

Issue:

       Many men and women who served in Vietnam returned home only to die years later as a direct result of their service in Vietnam.

Background:

       The dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC recognized forever the memory of those who are officially listed as Killed In Action (KIA) or Prisoner Of War-Missing In Action (POW-MIA).

       The names of over 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their comrades and our nation are etched on the black granite panels. The memory and sacrifice of these brave men and women stands as quiet tribute and testimony to their dedication and service.

       An alarming number of Vietnam Veterans have died young from illnesses stemming from toxic herbicides (cancers; diabetes), war wounds, PTSD (heart attacks; suicide), and Hepatitis C, among others. The death toll continues climbing and is expected to get worse.

       At present there is no memorial recognizing the sacrifice of Vietnam Veterans who continue to die as a direct result of their service in Vietnam.

       The Vietnam War In Memory Memorial Plaque Project has proposed, and the Congress has enacted legislation that will permit the installation of a plaque within the 13-acre Vietnam Veterans Memorial site acknowledging their service and paying tribute to their sacrifice.

       The In Memory Plaque will not contain individual names, but a simple statement recognizing the fact that so many have died as a result of their service, forever ensuring that all the sacrifices will be acknowledged.

       VVA has supported this effort since its inception, and has presented testimony to Senate and House committees responsible for the legislation.

Position:

       Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. at the National Convention in Greensboro, North Carolina, August 1-5, 2001 calls upon Vietnam veterans and their families to support all efforts to have the Vietnam War Memorial In Memory Plaque placed in an appropriate location within the area defined by the National Park Service as The Vietnam Veterans Memorial site, and further encourages them to participate in public awareness and fund raising activities in support of the project.

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WEBSITE UPDATES CEASED UPON COMPLETION OF THE PLAQUE PROJECT

Click to read a story and verse tribute to a Washington State veteran whose Vietnam experiences followed and finally claimed him - but not before he found himself again through his music , his friends, and his family.

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On October 1, 1984, Jerry Serino, president of the Mid-Hudson Valley Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, committed suicide. 
John P. Rowan of the New York State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America, was moved to write these words:
 
 

Click here to access Congressional testimony and other information about the In Memory Plaque Project and its work to obtain year-round public acknowledgment and honor for post-war casualties of Vietnam