2021 Veterans Day Observance at The Wall

VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT THE WALL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2021

WELCOME LETTER

Dear Friends: Let me be the first to welcome you to our ceremony today. I know for many of you this may be your first time back to The Wall since the pandemic. We’re pleased to have you with us.

The annual Veterans Day Observance at The Wall, hosted jointly by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and the National Park Service, is a special opportunity to pay tribute to America’s armed forces and to celebrate service and honor sacrifice.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is one of the most iconic places of remembrance in the entire country, even nearly 50 years after the war ended and 40 years since The Wall was dedicated. It enabled the healing of a generation — and a nation — after one of the most divisive times in our nation's history. It changed the way we treat our nation’s veterans. It changed the way we mourn the fallen. It paved the way for nearly every memorial that came after it.

Over the next year, we’ll commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, culminating with our traditional in-person Reading of the Names next November. We hope you’ll come back and join us next year for that special tradition.

As we gather today, you’ll hear stories that reflect the many ways that The Wall has and continues to impact our nation today — stories of loss and remembrance, of healing and reconciliation, of service and honor, and those lost and remembered.

VVMF remains committed to keeping the promise to never forget every day. We continue to educate all who visit and help them better understand the profound impact that all wars have on their friends and family members, their hometowns and the nation.

Thank you for joining us today, for your service and sacrifice, and for your continued support as we carry on the legacies of those inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and all those who served in the Vietnam War. Sincerely, Jim Knotts President and CEO Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

ANNUAL VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE AT THE WALL Thursday, November 11, 2021 — 1:00 p.m.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC OPENING REMARKS

Jim Knotts President/CEO, VVMF

INVOCATION PRESENTATION OF COLORS NATIONAL ANTHEM PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Sgt. Richard Dorsey, USA (Ret.) Vietnam Veteran

RETIRING OF THE COLORS MASTER OF CEREMONIES

Alan Buckelew Chairman of the Board, VVMF Vietnam Veteran

WELCOME

Jeff Reinbold Superintendent National Mall and Memorial Parks

VIETNAM WOMEN’S MEMORIAL

Lt. Grace Moore Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Army Nurse Corps

KEYNOTE REMARKS

Gen. Barry McCaffrey, USA (Ret.) Vietnam Veteran

WREATH LAYING

Organization Representatives

AMAZING GRACE

Chris Jackson Bagpiper

TAPS

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER Barry McCaffrey served in the United States Army for 32 years. When he retired in 1996, he was the most decorated General serving in the United States Army, having been awarded 3 Purple Heart Medals for wounds received in combat, 2 Distinguished Service Crosses (the nation’s second highest award for valor), and 2 Silver Stars for valor. He served overseas for more than 12 years — and 4 combat tours with the 82nd Abn Division, the Vietnamese Airborne Division, the 1st Cavalry Division, and the 24th Mech Infantry Division.

For five years after leaving the military, General McCaffrey served as the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Upon leaving government service, he served as the Bradley Distinguished Professor of International Security Studies from 2001-2005; and an Adjunct Professor of International Security Studies from 2006-2010 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. He served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences from 1973-1976 teaching American Government and Comparative Politics.

In 2007 he was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame at the US Army Infantry Center, Ft. Benning, GA. In May 2010, he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate by the West Point Association of Graduates at the United States Military Academy. In 1992 he was awarded the State Department Superior Honor Award for the principal negotiation team for the START II Nuclear Arms Control Treaty. In 2004, Catholic University of America awarded him the James Cardinal Gibbons Medal (Highest Honor), to honor him for distinguished and meritorious service to the United States of America. In 2015 he was selected for the Doughboy Award — the highest honor the Chief of Infantry can bestow on any infantryman — for outstanding contribution to the United States Army Infantry.

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WOMEN’S MEMORIAL SPEAKER

Grace Moore comes to us today via a small town called Dewar, Iowa where she learned to respect the military and our country. She attended St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Ottumwa, Iowa where she heard an Army recruiter talk about the Army Student Nurse Program in 1965. That was a time in our history when we were challenged to “ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. The idea of joining the Army Nurse Corps was born and after graduating in 1966, she began active duty with basic training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio followed by serving at Reynolds Army Hospital; Ft. Sill, OK. In May of 1968 Grace was transferred to the 12th Evacuation Hospital in CuChi, Vietnam where she was assigned as head nurse of the orthopedic unit. It was here that she truly learned the meaning of “team” and how essential it was to be able to count on your colleagues. She credits that knowledge for how she dealt with her professional nursing career going forward in civilian life through various positions and facilities.

Grace met Diane Carlson-Evans in the very early days of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial project and “volunteered” (tongue in cheek) to become the Pennsylvania State coordinator. In looking back on those days she believes being in that position and speaking with veterans from all over the state aided in healing the place in her heart that she didn’t even know was hurting. She has remained active in her local veteran community in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and is called upon to speak at various schools and events about the role that women played during the Vietnam era.

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40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

In 2022, VVMF will commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — one of the most iconic places of remembrance in the entire country.

Throughout the commemoration, we’ll share the stories of the many ways that The Wall continues to impact our nation today — stories of loss and remembrance, of healing and reconciliation, or service and honor. We’ll share those stories through events and across social media.

We want to hear your story about what the Vietnam Veterans Memorial means to you. We invite you to submit a story from 500-1,000 words in length on our website at: www.vvmf.org/40th-stories As is tradition, the 40th anniversary commemoration will end with our in-person Reading of the Names of the 58,281 service members inscribed on The Wall.

That event will take place from November 7–10, 2022 in Washington, D.C. Registration to read names will open on our website in spring of 2022.

We’ve already begun the commemoration on our website and VVMF’s social media channels with a daily virtual Reading of the Names that began on November 7, 2021.

To learn more about our virtual or in-person Reading of the Names, go here: www.vvmf.org/rotn Watch our website for details here: www.vvmf.org/40th

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REGISTRY

VIETNAM ERA REGISTRY FOR VETERANS VVMF recently launched the Vietnam Era Registry where the legacy of service of living Vietnam and all Vietnam War Era veterans can be recognized and celebrated.

The Registry allows living Vietnam veterans to preserve their legacy of service and connect with others who served during the Vietnam Era. Online profile pages recognize their service and allow for veterans to connect with others who served at the same time or within the same units.

Veterans can upload and share images from their service era or since Vietnam and tell their story for future generations. It’s easy to get started.

If you or a family member served in the military during the Vietnam Era — defined as November 1, 1955 – May 15, 1975 — you can create a profile today at: https://registry.vvmf.org.

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A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

VVMF would like to thank the wonderful volunteers of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial who assist visitors to The Wall throughout the year. We thank them for their countless dedicated hours keeping “watch” over The Wall and for their tireless efforts during our annual ceremonies. Their unbridled enthusiasm is appreciated, and we couldn’t do it without them!

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WITH SPECIAL GRATITUDE

With gratitude to our generous supporters whose special contribution in tribute of those who answered the call of duty make this ceremony possible.

Barry W. Clark SSGT USAF 65-69 Curtis W. Clarkson Nels Cornelius Dewey B. Crawford Dr. & Mrs. Charles Donlan Charles Elder Leroy Elfmann Donna C. Harris Mr. & Mrs. Wilson Hinson Jr. John Iappini Michael Johnson Stephen W. Keto Mr. & Mrs. William P. Kupper Jr. Loyd T. Lavender Huong Le Fred Masenheimer Bill McKelvey Joseph C. Mitcho Norman & Thuy Murray Ronald Myles Bill Nelson Gilbert Omenn, MD Leo Pierce Jr. William Prout Kenneth Slater Timothy J. Weber Donald W. Wetmore Lt. Col. W. B. Willard, Jr. USA Ret. Jacqueline Zwirner

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service wish to thank: Paul Masi and the Veterans Advisory Board for the Verizon Corporation for providing the American and POW/MIA flags, and for its support; and bagpiper Christopher Jackson.

A special thank you from VVMF to our events team at Something Fabulous.

Visit the VVMF online store at www.vvmf.org/store to see how you can show your support for VVMF and its programs.

Photos from this event will be available on our website: www.vvmf.org/event-photos

To learn more about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and its programs: www.vvmf.org

Stay connected with VVMF on: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund www.twitter.com/VVMF VNVeteransMemorial

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