Independent Patriots for America

A Political and Corporate Event,

Not A Memorial At All

Friends,
 
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is acting as the lead organization for the 25th Vietnam Memorial Wall Dedication Anniversary event in Washington, D.C. on November 10, 2007.
 
Who appointed VVA to lead the program, or how it was done is unknown to me but I expected a soleum, consecrated event.  If this event is simply a “celebration of a dedication” that is one thing, but if it is intended to honor the more than 58,000 fallen warriors, the program on November 10, 2007 is unacceptable.
 
It is appropriate to honor and remember our fallen warriors and their family members with a dignified program.  Unfortunately, the carnival type approach involving politicians of questionable character and the heavy corporate involvement VVA is pursuing does not reflect the dignified nature of a memorial event.
 
As has been publicly reported, Senator John Kerry, an individual that publicly slandered, betrayed,  and acted as a traitor to Vietnam warriors and the United States has been invited by VVA to help publicize the event.  Senator Kerry’s involvement in anything related to Vietnam Veterans, even mentioning his name, invites ill will if not rage.  Vietnam Veterans of America leadership reflects an insensitivity, and yes, moral betrayal to our fallen Vietnam warriors, families and living Vietnam veterans by taking the action to invite Senator Kerry and other betrayers of Vietnam warriors to participate in the Anniversary event
 
Senator Chuck Hagel, a Vietnam veteran, but an individual that has done everything he can to betray our current warriors in harms way is one of the speakers.  “VVA’s founding principle is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”   Yet, VVA invites Senator Hagel, a veteran of Vietnam service to speak about a previous abandoned generation while he abandons the current warrior generation. Perhaps Senator Hagel will recognize our military won the war in Vietnam before Congress surrendered?
 
Mr. John Rowan, President, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is a former member of Senator Kerry’s Vietnam Veterans Against the War. (VVAW)  In a recent email he stated: “If you would like to make a $300,000 donation to cover the cost of this event (DC government charges for everything, plus other expenses) then we would not have to look for sponsors.”
 
Take a look at VVA web site http://www.vva.org/25thEvent/sponsorship_brochure_1AA.pdf and read for yourself what the $300,000 buys.  Below is one example of what a corporate sponsor receives (buys). Banner carried in the “parade”, sponsor a float, VIP seating at opening ceremony, VIP seating at the “reviewing” stand…on and on.  There are also $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000 sponsorships with the same perks except number of seats.  Note, $10,000 donation buys one seat with the full range of perks.
“SPONSORSHIP LEVELS 
 Top Gun Leadership Inner Circle - $75,000 to $100,000

A contributor of $75,000 to $100,000 will be recognized as a “Top Gun Leadership Inner Circle Benefactor” and will receive the following:

• Premier sponsor banner carried in parade with the option to sponsor a float of your choice

• VIP parade seating on stage at the Opening Ceremony and recognition from the podium

• 10 seats at the pre-parade VIP breakfast; your contribution will be recognized in remarks at the VIP breakfast, and you will receive prominent signage

• VIP seating on Reviewing Stand

• Mention in VVA’s Annual Report and in VVA’s member publication

• A $100,000 contributor receives a full-page color advertisement on the back cover of The Wall’s 25th anniversary commemorative magazine, and a $75,000 contributor receives a full-page color advertisement on the inside front cover

• Sponsor logo in the 25th anniversary section of VVA’s website that includes a link to sponsor website

• Inclusion in all pre-and post-parade promotional releases, including press and online releases

• Framed appreciation certificate

• Numerous photo opportunities with VIPs and honorary guests, as well as an on-camera greeting in the Official Parade Video”

Parades, VIP breakfasts, advertisements, press releases, fail to reflect a solemn foundation that is focused on remembering, honoring, paying tribute to over 58,000 warriors that sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom, honoring our missing, and their families.  What VVA is planning reflects a typical Washington, D.C.  use of a hallowed, consecrated memorial as a stage for a political, corporate gala and parade, which advances personal, corporate, and political agenda?
 
According to VVA, the event is “To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial…” and that’s what the planning reflects…celebrating a “dedicaton” anniversary, not a memorial of our Vietnam fallen.
 
This event is tailor made with a carnival atmosphere, pomp and circumstance, to fit the political and corporate participants.   Without parades, special seating, vip breakfasts, and other perks, the $300,000 Mr. Rowan cites could well be $30,000 and it could be focused on honoring our fallen warriors, not politicians and corporate sponsors.
 
Other events during the 6 -11 November week may reflect a memorial tone but the November 10, 2007 Anniversary theme does not reflect the memorial recognition it should.
 
God bless the memory of our fallen, missing, and their families.
 
Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret., 111 Overview Drive, Crestview, FL 32539  850-689-1818

http://www.eaglesup.us/  -  Where there is no offense, there is no effect.
 
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;  they shall walk, and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)
 

Senator Kerry’s Letter Below:
 

Dear V.,

I am sending you this e-mail on behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).

When we came home from Vietnam, we found that the government which sent us to war wasn’t there to take care of those who had borne the burden of battle - it was only because of vets fighting for their fellow vets that we won government attention to medical problems, readjustment problems, employment difficulties, and even the GI Bill educational benefits that were earned by virtue of our service in uniform.

Several of the people with whom I worked to help our fellow vets would go on to create Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and asked me to serve as its first Vice President, which I did until I had to step down when I entered public life. I am proud to still be a Life Member.

Although VVA was founded as a vehicle to advocate for the veterans of the Vietnam War, it has grown to embrace the interests of all veterans. I hope you join in the determination that I share with VVA that the current group of returning warriors receive the kind of welcome, and level of services that our generation also deserved - but had to fight for. In accord with VVA’s founding principle:  “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,” I ask you to join with me to support the struggle for more and better health care services, more effective employment assistance, a properly funded GI Bill for education, and other earned veterans’ benefits for our brother and sister veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Today, as then, VVA is still fighting battles for veterans and their families.  Whether by improving veteran’s health care, veterans’ disability and compensation benefits, job training, veterans’ entrepreneurship issues, testifying on the Hill on legislative issues of importance to veterans and their families, VVA makes its presence known by its strong advocacy for veterans - and especially the newly minted veterans who are returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. VVA was formed to “Speak truth to power.”

They are still at it - still fighting - will you help them?

One of the important items on VVA’s agenda today is outreach to veterans of all generations, especially the 80 percent of veterans who neither receive disability payment from the VA nor go to the VA for their health care.  Many of these veterans simply are unaware of the benefits they have earned by virtue of their military service.

So I am writing to ask that you support VVA by giving generously to Vietnam Veterans of America to provide them with the backing they need to advocate effectively for veterans.  Checks should be made out to Vietnam Veterans of America and mailed to VVA, 8605 Cameron Street, Suite 400, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.  Send it to the attention of Carl Tuvin.

Thanking you in advance.

Sincerely

John F. Kerry

P.S.  Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) is staging a Parade on Saturday November 10 in Washington DC, in cooperation with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.  This will be the largest gathering of our brothers and sisters since the Parade celebrating the dedication of the Wall in November of 1982.  VVA is asking all veterans to come to Washington and support this event.  The parade will begin with opening ceremonies at 10: AM, and will commence marching at 11:00 AM and end at 4:00 PM.  After the parade there will be entertainment on the Mall with areas for reunions with your friends who served in Vietnam.  Learn more about this event at http://www.vva.org/.

 You can also reserve an advance copy of the extraordinary commemorative program book that VVA is doing with Boston Publishing, Inc. by puchasing one or more copies by means of the order form, also to be found at http://www.vva.org/.

John Kerry For Senate
129 Portland Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114-2014
info@johnkerry.com
http://www.johnkerry.com/ Paid For By John Kerry For Senate