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Announcements 15 December 2011

The Moving Wall™ Schedule
Operation Babylift ------ Vietnam "Operation Babylift" 30th Anniversary event
Medallion for Grave Markers in Private cemeteries for Headstones
Update on New National Personnel Records Center, St. Louis
POW/MIA Families are a target by an Unscupulous Individual
Memorial Day 2010 - Dave Nemo's radio show on the Virtual Wall & The Moving Wall™
25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans' The Moving Wall™
Sarasota National Cemetery
Significant Updates
Catching Wannabe (phoney) veterans - A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC
Run for the Wall

The Moving Wall™ Schedule

Since October 15, 1984 at the Tyler, Texas Rose Festival, the "Original, the first replica" of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial known as The Moving Wall has toured within and outside of the United States. Their 2012 travel schedule will be announced sometime after February 2012.

To learn more about The Moving Wall™, their yearly scheduled community visits, and how to sponsor an event in your community, please visit their web site.

www.TheMovingWall.Org 2011 Wall Site Schedule

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Operation Babylift

Vietnam "Operation Babylift" 30th Anniversary event

Lana Noone will be Grand Marshal for the Vietnam "Operation Babylift" (OBL) Dedication Program, at the 30th Anniversary Program, Hammonds Stadium, Fort Myers, Florida January 25-26, 2012.

This is the first-ever Event where the OBL Military and Civilian women casualties will be remembered and the OBL community is deeply honored to participate.

Please visit www.Vietnambabylift.org website and/or contact lananoone@yahoo.com for complete details.

*On a personal note: I have waited so many years to meet this incredible woman. For all the years that I had the opportunity to announce and honor to OBL events and milestones, I also feel blessed to know Lana, a truly amazing woman but we have never met. Now for the first time, she will be within a 100 miles from where I lived. However, there is a lesson about being passionate for a cause even if you never directly had any interaction with the Association. Being involved comes from the heart with a drive to be a part of the organization no matter what the limitations might be. The gathering in Ft Myers will be such an incredible event but we can't always change destiny which for me is 3 weeks too late. I have to put off meeting Lana once again but if you are in the area, please go and meet this magnificant woman who has dedicated her life to the OBL. I will have to wait a bit long for our paths to cross but my support and dedication to Lana and the OBL will be forever ongoing.

Operation Babylift -- NEW and very significant. This addition, although not being directly connected to "The Memorial," it's founder Lana Noone has an amazing web site on an event impacting our departure from Vietnam. The members who were involved in Operation Babylift and the children who were directly affected have an incredible insight to this prominent time in our history.

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Medallion for Grave Markers in Private cemeterries for Privately Purchased Headstones

The Department of Veteran Affairs provides the above shown medallion, by request, to be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker to signify the deceased's status as a veteran.

This new product is furnished in lieu of a traditional Government headstone or marker for those veterans whose death occurred on or after November 1, 1990, and is in a private cemetery marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.

The medallion is available in three sizes: 5 inches; 3 inches and 1-1/2 inches. Each medallion will be inscribed with the word "VETERAN" across the top and the branch of service at the bottom (see above).

For family members of eligible veterans interested in submitting a claim for the medallion, application instructions are on the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) web site at www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp Until the new form is devised, use VA form 40-1330: Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker. Do not fill in block 11 (please leave blank) but in block 27, write Medallion, size chosen. (i.e., Medallion 3 in).

IMPORTANT: This is only in lieu of a government provided headstone and thus can be applied to a privately purchased headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.

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Update on New National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis
The National Archives and Records Administration's National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) will relocate more than 100 million records to a new $112 million modernized facility. Crews broke ground on the 474,000 square-foot facility on November 16, 2009. According to the St. Louis County Economic Council, the project is expected to pump $435 million into the local economy and involve more than 300 construction jobs.

NARA will lease the facility for twenty years from The Molasky Group of Companies through the General Services Administration (GSA). Located in North St. Louis County, the facility will open its doors in May 2011, which is also when the workforce of 800 will startmoving in. The entire move of personnel and records will take about seventeen months.

The new location will store approximately 2.3 million cubic feet of records currently housed at three different St. Louis area facilities. Records will be housed in climate-controlled stack areas designed for long-term preservation. The previous location was ravaged by a 1973 fire that was one of the worst in U.S. history. The fire destroyed the building's sixth floor and the records lost include those of Army personnel discharged between November 1, 1912, and December 31, 1959, and Air Force personnel discharged between September 25, 1947, and December 31, 1963, with names alphabetically following Hubbard, James.

Some records were salvaged from the disaster; these fire-damaged records have been stored in a climate-controlled area where specially trained preservation technicians treat the records for mold and delicately piece together whatever they can save. Despite the very fragile state of the burned records, preservationists have been able to r etrieve valuable information in an effort to reconstruct portions of a service member's personnel file.

With headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Archives at St. Louis' NPRC is one of 44 NARA facilities located throughout the United States. For more information or questions please contact:

Wanda T. Williams
Archival Programs Division, Archivist
National Archives and Records Administration
9700 Page Avenue, Room 2005
St. Louis, MO 63132-5100
314-801-9313 wk
wanda.williams@nara.gov

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POW/MIA Families are a target by an Unscupulous Individual Earlier this year, a POW/MIA family was contacted by a person who said that during a trip to SE Asia, he’d come into possession of their brother's military ID card. This family lost their loved one in 1969, and really have not had any evidence whether he survived or died when his plane crashed. Although hopeful, thankfully, the family followed through with a call to the Air Force Casualty Office which revealed that this person, Hadeltre Toma, has been running this particular scam on other MIA families. He goes by “Tre” and also used an email address with the name Bret Hart.

Please pass this information on to anyone you know who might be a target of this unscrupulous individual or if he or anyone offering you information about a POW/MIA immediately contact one of the service Casualty Offices:

USAF Missing Persons Branch

Department of the Army

Headquarters U. S. Marine Corps

Navy Personnel Command

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Memorial Day May 31, 2010 - Dave Nemo's radio show highlighting the Virtual Wall and The Moving Wall™

Please check out the Dave Nemo interview with Jim "Polecat" Schueckler, Founder and Vice President, of the Virtual Wall(TM) (Pilot, 192nd Assault Helicopter Company, Vietnam, 1969-70) and myself on May 31, 2010. Dave Nemo (Entertainment/SiriusXM, 504.899.8905) supports and honors all veterans on his half hour program.

Click to hear the Memorial Day Interview

(Permission and authorization for TTW to play the interview by both Dave Nemo and Michael Burns, senior engineer on June 11, 2010).

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25th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans' The Moving Wall™

In White Pine, Michigan, from July 16 through 19, 2009, The American Legion Post 462 sponsored the memorable event of Vietnam Combat Veterans
The Moving Wall™ 25th Anniversary.

The opening ceremony on Thursday evening, July 16, 2009, was a dignified gathering honoring the ten local heros who are on the Memorial. It was a reunion for two of the remaining founders, John Devitt and Norris Shears and the rememberance of Gerry Haver when 27 years ago the mobile memorial was an aspiration.

These three men, Joy Devitt, Aaron and Lisa Grey were all honored for their dedication and inspiration keeping our veterans alive in our thoughts and hearts for all these incredible traveling years.

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Sarasota National Cemetery In January 9, 2009, Sarasota opened a National Cemetery covering our veterans needs for a dignified, respectful and deserving resting place in Florida's southern area. It is one of seven national shrines within Florida. The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries, oversees 128 national cemeteries in 39 states (including Puerto Rico).

Sarasota National Cemetery Will become a Community Showcase

There is nothing like this amphitheater in any of the current 131 National Cemeteries supported by Veterans Affairs throughout the United States. This partnership was through an endowment from the The Patterson Foundation in Sarasota, Florida. It will unveil an innovative assembly area capable of seating up to 2,500 visitors which will showcase a gathering place but will also include sculpture art and gardens for people to visit more than just once a year. Although most military cemeteries are designed for 10 years worth of buriels, Sarasota is prepared to handle 50 years worth of buriels. Although this addition will not begin until this current second phase of construction is completed by the summer 2012.

Check their website at www.cem.va.gov

From Arlington National Cemetery across America on Saturday, December 12, 2009, the First Annual Holiday Wreath Laying Ceremony was held at the Sarasota National Cemetery and all Federal Cemeteries from coast to coast. The ceremony commenced with wreaths being laid at every recipient's headstone and Christmas music provided by the Sarasota Military Academy Band. After the Posting of Colors, the National Anthem by the Sarasota Military Academy Choir and the Pledge of Allegiance and Retirement of Colors, there was the setting of the POW/MIA table with all military branch participating.

The guest speaker was Brigadier General(Retired Jerry L. Neff, there were Service Wreath presentation from each branch of Service and 3 POWs from WWII, Korea and Vietnam under the American flag. The closing included TAPS, a 21-gun salute and a beautiful closing of Amazing Grace by the Sarasota Military Academy Bagpipers.

Seeing all those beautiful red and green wreaths leaning up against the white marble was an inspirational remembrance of our loved ones highlighting the season of peace and love.

Becoming a volunteer at the center, is such an incredible honor. I had the privilege of working on May 30, 2009, on the "Official" Memorial Day along with other dedicated volunteers and an amazing Cemetery Staff who welcomed over 700 visitors for our "first" official holiday ceremony. We are small now, but our area has 295 acres to grow. We are located 4 miles from Interstate 75, east on State Road 72 and our toll free number is 877-861-9840.

Cemetery honors all veterans

Our community is very patriotic, in many venues and on specific holidays. On these occasions, we vow "never to forget" our veterans and their dedicated service. However, I wonder if it is well known that our Sarasota National Cemetery o State Road 72 (Clark Road) takes it one step further to honor and give dignity to these heroes, especially when they pass away homeless. Every veteran, of whatever war or conflict, is honored with a proper military burial service.

The cemetery has volunteers who, when alerted, will attend an indigent's funeral. They come to pay their respects for family and friends who no longer are aware of this veteran. Every indigent receives a military service with the American flag, an honor guard, the playing of taps and a headstone highlighting his or her service. On July 2, I was so heartfelt to witness the huge crowd of volunteers who came for an indigent Vietnam veteran's funeral. There was even a small motorcycle procession. On our nation's birthday, we celebrate the birth of our country and the freedom we enjoy because of our veterans. Here was one veteran who was also celebrated, and his passing was not forgotten. Thank you to all of our veterans. Sharon Denitto

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Attention: Unclaimed veterans to their final resting place in a National or State Veterans Cemetery

Recently I became aware of a publication called the North River News. A column called “Military and Motorcycles” recently ran the following article written by Terry Longpre

Those of you who have been following my ramblings by now realize I am driven to help folks who have been or are currently in the military. One of the saddest things I have heard of in a while was the fact that there are thousands of US military veterans remains sitting on shelves and on the floors of mortuaries and funeral homes throughout the United States. Recently I have been asked by the Florida Area Coordinator for the ‘Missing in America Project’ to further their mission they are your average folks in who live in your neighborhood. Patriot Guard Riders have volunteered locally, as well as across America to help locate and escort those unclaimed veterans to their final resting place in a National or State Veterans Cemetery.

The Missing in America Mission Statement pretty much explains it all. It says “The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have you may have stored or may not have been picked up by a family member. If you have any question as to if the person had been in the military contact one of the following people listed below from the MIAP for assistance.

Linda Smith
National Operations Coordinator
Missing in America Project
573-528-6930
sailormom@miap.us

James Scollen
Florida Area Coordinator
239 693 8050 Home
634 8625 Cell 8 AM-5 PM
jpachiva@aol.com

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The national web site for the Missing in America Project (MIAP) is www.miap.us/. Those who have served this country should not have their remains in a can stored in a closet or on a shelf. They deserve better treatment and should be laid to eternal rest with full military honors in a National or State Veterans Cemetery. Help us locate, identify and inter them. “It’s the right thing to do.”

Contact Sharon Edwards
(941) 544-1956
shazfla@msn.com

or Assistant State Ride Captain Jim Dryer (Patriot Guard Riders)
(941) 713-4681
jljimd@yahoo.com.

In a column which was published on October 8th, 2009 entitled Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients, Part Two’ I mentioned a Buffalo Soldier by the name of Corporal Isaiah Mays who had been buried out behind the Arizona State Hospital in Phoenix, wrapped in a sheet. Between MIAP, Old Guard Riders and Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Clubs preparations were started in August 2008 to exhume Cpl. May’s and concluded with his interment at Arlington National Cemetery on May 29th, 2009. Help us to continue to make this happen. God bless America and those who serve in uniform.

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Significant Updates "
First Army veteran killed in country -- Recently Harry G. Cramer III, son of Harry G. Cramer, the original first Army veteran killed in country. He brought to my attention that some of the information was not reported accurately. He asked if we could post the certified explanation which is now explained in detail. Also Mr. Cramer, along with Susan Welch, daughter of MIA Robert Welch, recorded an emotional ballad about their fathers and other veterans on the Wall. The beautiful words were written by sonttwgwriter, Joel Mabus.

Touch A Name. (TTW was granted permission to play this tribute on July 10, 2009).

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Touch the Wall Updated. the Repatriation chart is currently being updated and will soon reflect all of the veterans brought home. Since the 30 March 2010, the "unaccounted veterans" are now at 1695. The breakdown is as follows: Vietnam – 1,300 (NVN-477, VSN-823); Laos – 330; Cambodia – 58; Peoples Republic of China territorial waters – 7. Over 450 were over-water losses. We understand the concerns of the families who believe there needs to be more commprehensive testing which concludes the results are error free. However, once the POW/MIA Task Force releases their conclusions, we feel we should at least announce their results. New additions will be entered soon.

93 American heroes will be honored posthumously at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on In Memory Day, April 18, at 10 a.m. You can review these additions at In Memory Veterans (PDF)

Six veterans were added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington on Memorial Day 2010. The 2011 inductees, were announced and they now have their rightful place on "The Wall." You can review these additions at Names Added Chart.

Also updated were the recent 98 recipients from the In Memory Service in April 2010. Their names were added to the "In Memory Book" and can be reviewed at In Memory Veterans Chart

Vietnam Dog Handlers - War Dog Memorial Information

Help For Family Members

Veterans Names Not Inscribed on the Memorial

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Catching Wannabe (phoney) veterans - A NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC

For years, volunteers working with the veteran communities have had to keep a look-out for individuals bragging about their military service, their medals and involvement in various conflicts. Up until a few years ago, all we could do was report their activities and list them on various look out watch lists. Throughout these investigations, many documents are posted to help people seek out these "wanna bes" in order to correctly document their activities and wave a red flag for anyone caught in this fictitious scenario.

Supporting Documents

New Stolen Valor Bill Signed into Law - Very Significant

On December 20, 2006, signed by the President. "Should any who are not entitled to these honors have the insolence to assume the badges of them, they shall be severely punished." The bill states: S. 1998, the "Stolen Valor Act of 2005," which expands criminal penalties for fraud relating to military decorations and medals;

Read the full background and history of this amazing and fully supported legislation effecting military awards since the Medal of Honor review of 1917. Background and History of this Law

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Run For The Wall

You can learn more about Rolling Thunder at www.rftw.org.

A great new Moving Wall site is up and runnng and what an incredible site it is. Blogger, Jerry Blitefield, RollingwiththeMovingWall.blogspot.com created this informative site. Since 1998, when he came across The Moving Wall™ Jerry began studying the original half-scale replica of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Unfortunately, unable to travel with The Moving Wall™ this summer, he decided to set up a blog of each set up so that they could tell this amazing ongoing story of The Moving Wall™.

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