Our son returned home after his enlistment in the USMC on Memorial Day. The first thing we all did was attend the Memorial Day Parade to honor Veterans who had died.

It was an amazing morning and we felt extremely blessed to be together. People of all ages crowded near the street, some standing, some on chairs or on the curb, and children sat on the shoulders of trusted adults. There was cheering, clapping, and at times somber salutes as the different military branches passed by.

Even though I knew what was going on around me, my focus was on my son. I remember as our group found our spot, a man using a cane walked past us carrying an old beat up lawn chair to an empty spot near by. I saw him, yet didn’t really pay attention to him. He wasn’t part of our group he was in the background, an extra on the scene that was playing out in my life.

In the photos I took that day there was a great picture of my son and husband, but there was a third person in the background. It was the older man with the cane. That photo revealed a lot about this man, causing me to feel terrible that I’d considered him just another man in a crowd. I saw more than tattered jeans, old bandanna, worn out boots and a weathered face. I noticed an old leather vest covered with patches of events from the Vietnam era. He was possibly a Veteran and I’d ignored him.

I try to make an effort to thank any Veteran I see, and here was a hero that may have served in the Vietnam War and I was so caught up in my own excitement, I didn’t take time to really see him, let alone thank him. He was sitting 15 feet from my son, also a Veteran, all alone on the sidelines of a parade he possibly attended every year to honor his comrades.

My heart aches knowing he’s just one of thousands of Veterans, the warriors of our country, that quietly go on with their lives unnoticed, never looking for acclimation for themselves, yet always ready to honor other Veterans. They’re America’s invisible heroes.

Veterans young and old deserve this country’s deepest thanks, respect and honor. Regardless of their current place in our society, they are role models, real heroes who exemplify courage, loyalty and understand true sacrifice. They are the warriors of our  land, our neighbors that God commands us to love more than ourselves. They are the greatest among us because they’ve served for us.

Americans need to really see them, to support them for whom they are, their patriotism, and for the difficult, yet amazing job they’ve done in protecting and preserving our freedoms. Any less than that would be a disgrace for us as citizens of the United States.

For more on Veterans and how to support your military community, please visit the Homefront United Network at www.homefrontunited.com

Courtesy of The Clarion-Ledger

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund now has over 30,000 photographs of the soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam. We need these photographs to display in the Education Center at The Wall. Finding them is a nationwide challenge that depends on grassroots work done by interested and dedicated people, volunteers, who are willing to help. As we continue our work, it is clear that this is a journey into the heart of America. Our experiences are profound and there are stories that are both emotionally moving and inspiring. We have seen a lot of people and we need to tell these stories to you, the reader.

MISSISSIPPI

Let me start with Mississippi. We arrived on a very hot summer day in Jackson, the state Capital. In the deep south, there has always been a strong bond with the military and a deep reverence for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Mississippians had the early vision of remembering not just the names of their fallen brothers, but their faces as well.  In 1995 a memorial was dedicated in Ocean Springs, Mississippi adorned with the faces of all 637 Mississippi casualties from the Vietnam War.

Last July, VVMF partnered with the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial and received the photos of nearly all 637 of their fallen for inclusion in the Education Center at The Wall.  President of the MVVM, Dick Wilson, presented the photos during a somber event at the Mississippi War Memorial building in Jackson.

We were joined by the Adjutant General of the Mississippi National Guard, veteran leaders from all levels of state government, the heads of the major veteran’s service organizations, and even a large contingent of Vietnam veterans from the local VA medical center.

Of particular note, Barbra Jacobs traveled from Booneville (nearly 200 miles) to submit a photo of her husband, SGT Kenneth B. Carpenter.

(Top) VVMF staffer, Martin Kobylarczyk assists Brenda Jacobs as she scans the in-country photo of her husband, SGT Kenneth Carpenter. Courtesy of The Clarion-Ledger.

For this dedicated group of supporters, we premiered our latest video highlighting the planned exhibits of the Education Center.  With new friends and partners, we left Mississippi knowing that our message was building momentum throughout the country.

KENTUCKY

When you think about it, it really is incredible that people will give up their time and make a trip – even great distances – to be a part of this grassroots effort. In Somerset, Kentucky in May, we were joined by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers who, like us, traveled from Washington, D.C, to be a part of the event. While there, we met some great people and heard some very powerful and moving stories.

U.S. Congressman Hal Rogers addresses the crowd.

In addition to singing The National Anthem at the Call for Photos event, Claude Davis came with a photo and a specific mission. He was determined to find the name of his friend and fallen comrade, James Jenkins.

With a voice shaking at times with emotion, he told us the story of a man whose name is on The Wall in a place that should’ve been reserved for him.

“I was standing watch, and I couldn’t keep awake,” he said, his voice shaking at times with emotion. “I couldn’t keep my eyes open.”

Shortly thereafter, his unit came under attack by mortar rounds. Corporal Jenkins died in that foxhole in Vietnam within moments of Davis stepping away from his combat post to catch a short nap.

James Alex Jenkins is honored on Panel 24W, Row 60

We also listened to Brigadier General Dan Cherry, USAF (Ret.), a Vietnam veteran, who shared his emotional story of healing and reconciliation. In an intense dogfight over the skies near Hanoi, North Vietnam, Cherry carried out a successful mission in his F-4 Phantom shooting down a North Vietnamese MiG-21. Nearly 40 years after that mission, Cherry was reunited with the North Vietnamese pilot, and the two became friends.

Major Cherry in Vietnam

WASHINGTON

Grassroots efforts often start at the grasstops, and it is always a good idea to have friends in high places. That’s why we made our way across the country and found ourselves in the beautiful state of Washington. On October 7, we climbed the steps of the State Legislative Building in Olympia because Governor Gregoire had formally joined 22 other governors in statewide efforts to provide ideas, recruit supporters and lead grassroots efforts to raise awareness and gather photos. The Governor got things underway by introducing us to two very important allies, First Gentleman Mike Gregoire, and John Lee, Washington’s Director Veterans Affairs. Both of these guys are Vietnam veterans, and know how to get things done.

While we were there, family and friends brought in nearly a dozen photos.

John Bastian of the Quinault Indian Tribe brought a photo of his brother, Roger Saux, who was an Army “tunnel rat” in Vietnam. He was the only member of the tribe killed in Vietnam. Now the reservation’s Indian Health Care Center is named for him.

John Bastian speaks about his brother, Roger Saux.

Washington state still has a way to go in building there collection of photos, but they have gathered almost 600 already, and are over halfway there.

Across the country, we still have about 28,000 pictures to find. But we plan to keep doing our part by meeting with and being inspired by the grassroots volunteers who are going to make this project happen. When all is said and done, we will owe a debt of gratitude to those people who are willing to share of themselves and make sure we build the Education Center at The Wall…the place on our National Mall where our heroes stories and sacrifice will NEVER be forgotten.

Please take a moment to get involved. Find a photo and send it along with a donation to www.buildthecenter.org.

The political season is in full swing nationwide.  This election will be contentious and divisive…and guess what?  They all are.  Opposing sides use their most scathing rhetoric against each other in the primaries and turn the venom on the other party once the general election season kicks off.  For me, this particular election cycle is made even more interesting because of two factors: the “Occupy” movement, and the Tea Party.

We need to better appreciate living in a country where people can vent and vote their ideology at the ballot box or even on talk radio .America was created through the courage and suffering of patriots in a lopsided contest we nearly lost: the Revolutionary War. Since then, we have faced many adversaries – including each other – and the nation has survived.

From around the world, people still flock to become citizens of America, where they can have freedom and a chance to succeed in a nation of laws. Will America survive another political season? The prognosis is excellent. As a native of Washington,DC, I can assure you that we will celebrate and amaze much of the world with an event known as “The Inauguration,” brought about by something we Americans pioneered: democracy.

What does this all of this have to do with a military ID known as a “dog tag?”

Something entirely new is coming to Washington, DC. The Education Center at The Wall will be built near, and work in synergy with, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The visitor, while walking to the site, will make visual contact with the Lincoln Memorial, which stands as a tribute to the repaired national unity after the disastrous Civil War.

The Education Center at the Wall will affect your community. It may even have a direct impact on you personally. Every visitor – about 3 million annually – will be asked to perform some act of civic virtue in their community in exchange for a simple dog tag bearing the name of a man or woman who has given their life in defending America.

People young and old will be given this challenge. Some may volunteer to clean a local park, others might get involved in animal rescue, and others might decide to pay a visit to aging veterans who are in need of company. All of these acts will be electronically recorded, so that future visitors who accept this dog tag will see the many acts that have been done in honor of a fallen hero. In this way, theEducationCenterat The Wall will change and help many lives in large and small ways.

Exhibitions at the Education Center at The Wall will include state-of-the-art technology and will feature some of the 200,000 items left at The Wall since 1982. The photos and the stories of patriots will inspire others to do acts of kindness…maybe even millions of acts of kindness. Every day, thousands of people will be inspired to realize their individual responsibilities and help their fellow citizens.

The Education Center will also be a place of civic reflection, where values like honor, duty, courage, and loyalty will be celebrated. A nationwide grassroots movement is bringing this about. Quietly and effectively, hundreds of thousands of Americans have been taking part in creating the place where America’s legacy of service will be celebrated on The Mall.

Why would visitors want to perform an act of kindness in their communities?  What would inspire them?  What does the dog tag represent?

The Education Center will use powerful images and stories of American heroes from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan who are “forever young.” Their stories will inspire and engage the visitor as he or she learns about heroes such as Tom Bennett. Tom reluctantly ended up in Vietnam as a medic and wrote:

“I will possibly die for a cause I vehemently disagree with… I believe in America … our process of government can respond to people’s needs, if we each assume our responsibility.”

In February of 1969, Tom dragged five wounded American soldiers to safety. This deeply religious soldier would not carry a weapon, but over and over again, kept moving forward and bringing back the injured. It was his responsibility.

Are Americans responsible to our neighbors and community?

Actually we are. Living in a nation blessed with freedom creates a responsibility to become an engaged citizen and to contribute in some way.  This is exactly what Tom Bennett was talking about.

Tom Bennett would probably be practicing medicine today, and bouncing grand kids on his knee, but his life ended that day in 1969 – at age 21 – after only one month in Vietnam. He is a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Of course, visitors will not be asked to do what Tom Bennett did. Yet they will be inspired by stories like Tom’s, and most will agree to perform an act of civic virtue. Groups like ‘A Thousand Points of Light’ will be able to direct visitors to projects for which they are qualified and in which they are interested.

Inspiration will spring from tragedy. Imagine if you were to receive a dog tag representing Tom Bennett’s service and sacrifice at the Education Center.  As you looked at it, you would read, “He did his duty. Will you do yours?”

Tom’s, and the others whose photos you will view in the Education Center, deserve to be remembered in this way. Please visit www.buildthecenter.org and learn about how to get involved.

Crowds are flocking to see “Redtails”, a great action movie currently in theaters with enough aerial combat and excitement to keep anyone on the edge of their seats. The movie is a profound, true story of World War II American heroes – the Tuskegee Airmen – who proved to everyone that they could fly airplanes with skill and courage. But the humiliation each of these black airmen experienced is not easy to digest. I once heard a lecture by one of the Tuskegee heroes who noted that one morning he watched two captured German pilots laughing and enjoying breakfast with white U.S. pilots, while the black pilots were forced to dine in a separate dining area.  At that time, discrimination and prejudice were endemic in American society.

However, thankfully things begin to change and during the Korean War, The U.S. Army led the way in a profound manner, when President Truman desegregated the Army. The days of racially segregated military units would come to an end, but society continued to lag behind the Army, and African Americans were unable to eat in many restaurants or stay in many hotels. There were even separate drinking fountains. Economic disparity clearly flowed from such prejudice.  There were few options available for employment for people of color, fewer still for those who were ambitious and talented.

As the Civil Rights struggles continued in the 1960s, society was changing and America was considering passage of the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. There was still plenty of opposition and strife. There was some violence, but the Reverend Martin Luther King felt that non-violence would bring about change needed.

During that era there was the Vietnam War, which was also bitterly divisive. The Army was years ahead of society at large.  People of all races slept in the same barracks and shared the same foxholes in combat.  As we commemorate Black History Month, let us remember some forgotten military heroes whose example of courage, duty and integrity should inspire all of us.

Does anyone remember Ralph H. Johnson?  In March 1968, when under enemy attack, a hand grenade landed next to his fellow Marines. Private First Class Johnson yelled a warning, hurled his body over the explosive charge and immediately died. When he jumped on the grenade, he was not thinking about the ethnicities of the Marines who he was saving. He died to save his friends. PFC Ralph H. Johnson received the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Riley Pitts is another person whose sense of duty to his country deserves to be both highlighted and celebrated.  Riley graduated with a degree in journalism and was doing his tour in Vietnam as an Army officer. The Army needed him to lead a combat unit in 1967, and he distinguished himself by exceptional heroism while serving as company commander during an air mobile assault.

As the official citation reads, “Immediately after his company landed in its area of operations, several Viet Cong opened fire with automatic weapons. Despite the enemy fire, Captain Pitts forcefully led an assault which overran the enemy positions.

 Shortly thereafter, Pitts was ordered to move his unit to the north to reinforce another company heavily engaged against a strong enemy force. As Captain Pitts’ company moved forward to engage the enemy, it received intense fire from three directions, including fire from four enemy bunkers, two of which were within 15 meters of Captain Pitts’ position. The severity of the incoming fire prevented Pitts from maneuvering his company. His rifle fire proving ineffective against the enemy due to the dense jungle foliage, he picked up a grenade launcher and began pinpointing the targets.

Seizing a Chinese Communist grenade which had been taken from a captured Viet Cong soldier’s web gear, Captain Pitts lobbed it at a bunker to his front, but it hit the dense jungle foliage and rebounded. Without hesitation, Pitts threw himself on top of the grenade which, fortunately, failed to explode. Captain Pitts then repositioned the company to permit friendly artillery to be fired. Upon completion of the artillery fire mission, Captain Pitts again led his men toward the enemy positions, personally killing at least one more Viet Cong. The jungle growth still prevented effective fire to be placed on the enemy bunkers. Captain Pitts, displaying complete disregard for his life and personal safety, quickly moved to a position that permitted him to place effective fire on the enemy. He maintained a continuous fire, pinpointing the enemy’s fortified positions, while at the same time directing and urging his men forward, until he was mortally wounded.

Captain Pitts’ conspicuous gallantry, extraordinary heroism, and intrepidity at the cost of his life, above and beyond the call of duty, are in the highest traditions of the U.S. Army and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the Armed Forces of his country.”

President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the Medal of Honor to Captain Riley Pitts’ family in 1968, saying, “What this man did in an hour of incredible courage will live in the story of America as long as America endures – as he will live in the hearts and memories of those who loved him. He was a brave man and a leader of men. No greater thing could be said of any man.”

As we celebrate Black History Month, we need to remember the difficulties faced by many who have overcome adversity and obstacles. “E Pluribus Unum” is onAmerica’s coinage – this is Latin translated as “From Many – One”.  Americans come from all over the world and we are a people of varied and diverse religious and ethnic groups. A good way to celebrate America’s diversity this month is to see the movie, “Redtails”.  As we celebrate, let’s always remember the people who have fought for our freedom and way of life.

When completed, The Education Center at The Wall will proudly display the photographs of Ralph H. Johnson and Riley L. Pitts, as well as those of all of the 58,272, around 7,200 of them were African Americans, who sacrificed all inVietnam. TheEducationCenter will be the place on our National Mall where our military heroes’ stories and sacrifices will never be forgotten.

Go to www.buildthecenter.org to donate, get involved and learn more.

I am essentially an association executive, the CEO of an organization, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), which has a number of missions.  Our primary mission is completing the Education Center at The Wall (www.buildthecenter.org). When completed, the Education Center will honor all veterans, including those of Iraq and Afghanistan, whose sacrifices will be honored every day by displaying the pictures and names of those who have been killed in the most recent wars.  This will be the only memorial on the Mall to these deserving heroes for the foreseeable future.

A lot of fundraising is involved with this endeavor, but that is not all that our devoted staff spends its time working on.

This morning I got some interesting news.  The August 23, 2011 earthquake that shook  Virginia did some damage to two extra granite panels that we have stored at Quantico Marine Base.  The panels have been there for nearly 30 years, stored on a secure part of the base.  In case some damage ever occurs to The Wall, we can swing into action, re-engrave the names and replace the panels.  Two of the ten reserve panels fell down – cracking into thousands of pieces.  Today we received the check from our insurance company, allowing us to replace the broken panels.   You will find the photo interesting.

Fascinatingly, I learned about receiving the insurance check just as I was paying some of our vendors.  I signed a check for a $1,000 to a landscaping contractor to pay for planting some bushes at the Three Servicemen Statue.  I asked our accountant, Gabrielle Grice, how much money we have spent this year to keep the lawn at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial looking nice.  She added up the total for me, and in 2010 we spent $58,010.38 on replacing sod, repairing the irrigation system (which we installed) and on other needs related to lawn maintenance.

We have done a lot more than just this. Over the years, VVMF has spent millions of dollars on repairs and maintenance of The Wall, The In Memory Plaque and the Three Servicemen Statue.

The Education Center at The Wall will actually save Congress money.  The funds generated by the Center will continue to take care of The Wall, the Education Center and, we believe, some needed care of the Korean War Memorial.  We built The Wall in 1982 through private donations and we have kept it and the other elements in good condition since 1982. It is not easy to raise money for this, but we work to find ways.  Recently, we received $50,000 from the International Association of Machinists to help with the lawn. Last year, an event at the home of the widow of Frederick Hart helped raise the money needed to restore the Three Servicemen Statue.  The Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars assisted as well.  A lot of people donated a few dollars each.

VVMF takes an active role concerning the physical needs of The Wall, The Three Serviceman statue and flagpole, and the rest of the three-acre site on which the Vietnam Veterans Memorial rests. You may find some of the work we do of interest, including our million dollar lighting system.

• VVMF Maintenance Projects at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Three Servicemen Statue Restoration and Preservation Project
• Learn how you can help preserve the Memorial

We do more than most to add to the upkeep of The Mall.  When the Education Center is built, we will be able to do even more.

All of our National Parks need partners like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.  There are billions of dollars which are not available from the stretched-very-thin federal budget.   We all can help in different ways as volunteers or by donating. VVMF is proud to do our part to help preserve America’s National Mall.

I have always enjoyed this quote. The words seem accurate enough. After all, there is no reason for most people to strive to be creative. It is easy enough to merely observe a successful approach to a problem and mimic it. Of course, this is why we have copyright and trademark laws. We can’t have people stealing ideas, inventions or art that others have created and exploiting the work of others for their own use.

With all of that as background, have you ever heard of a work of art being copied and transported around the 50 states, Guam and even London, England? I sure have. There are a number of replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial touring Americas cities. One replica is actually 3/4 scale and known as the Dignity Wall. Others are half-scale. One permanent half-size replica, the Wall South, is in Pensacola. It is hard to keep track of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replicas. There is only one affiliated with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

It is fascinating, even amazing, that replicas of a work of art, The Wall, actually travel the nation on a daily basis — three decades after the dedication in 1982.  Are there replicas of the Pyramids, the St Louis Arch or the Eiffel Tower on tour?  Not really. The Wall is important not because of its unique and powerful architectural style, but because of what it represents. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is truly The Wall That Heals. The healing power of the Memorial comes to cities and towns for local people to learn and experience.

“The Wall That Heals” is on its way to Orlando, Florida and the town is excited and engaged. The number of motorcycle groups welcoming the replica to Orlando is extraordinary. The Mayor is coming out to say a few words. Other officials are helping to welcome the Wall and, as well, to welcome home the Vietnam Veterans. As with everything we do, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan will be a part of the activities. They are now returning and need to begin their lives and careers as civilians.

The primary mission of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the completion of the Education Center at The Wall. This is a place where America will celebrate the service of those who have risked their lives in time of war. There will be a special emphasis on showing appreciation to the most recent veterans. See www.buildthecenter.org to learn more.

We are working to raise funds and the grassroots effort nationwide is helping in many ways.  In Hawaii, a volunteer named Janna Hoehn worked diligently to collect all the photographs of the 42 servicemen who gave their lives from the island of Maui. The photos will be displayed in the Education Center. Raising money is a primary goal. Among those helping include General Neal Creighton, US Army (Retired), who raised money from his classmates of West Point. In Colorado, Neal Stanley, a former medic is Vietnam, has raised over $100,000 in the Denver area. Many people are assisting and we invite everyone to give us a hand by organizing or by making a donation. In November we intend to break ground.

If you are in the area of Orlando, please stop by to see us — a schedule of events is enclosed:

The Wall the Heals Arrives in Orlando

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the City of Orlando are bringing The Wall that Heals, a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to downtown Orlando January 16 through 22. The Wall and traveling museum will be featured at the northeast corner of Lake Eola Park, on the corner of E. Robinson Street and N. Eola Drive.

For more information on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund please visit: www.vvmf.org and www.buildthecenter.org

Most people have heard of PTSD.  This is a common response to an event like being in a battle in Iraq, being shot by a criminal, being raped or surviving a serious car accident.    For many people these types of events begin an extended period of pain and require a lot of recovery.   PTSD can take months, years or decades to subside and can lead to innumerable of problems with relationships, careers, marriages, alcohol abuse and life.

What many people do not know is that the Vietnam Veterans Memorial basically evolved due to PTSD.  I was in Vietnam as a teen ager with the Army.  I saw some combat and tragic deaths there from accidents , including an explosion in 1970 that killed a dozen of my fellow soldiers who were unloading a truck filled with ammunition.  I was troubled by many memories of my year there.

After the military I went to college and began to investigate what was then not quite accepted as a disorder.   I did some research independently and testified before the Senate on the subject in 1977.  My research found elevated rates of divorce and other signs of mal adjustment among veterans with heavy exposure to combat.  I wrote an article on the subject for the Washington Post and a journal known as Military Medicine.

The House and Senate ultimately developed the Vet Centers to reach out to veterans struggling with psychological injuries.  Veterans of Vietnam were the primary users.  Yet veterans of World War II and Korea also took part.  Today the Vet Centers are helping vets especially from Iraq and Afghanistan

I had an interesting idea  –  suppose there was a memorial on the Mall in Washington DC engraved with the names of those who perished in the Vietnam War?   Would this help those suffering from PTSD? Would the survivors guilt felt by many be helped by seeing the names honored there?

In 1979 the idea became more than that.  I took two weeks off of work and developed the idea working day and night .   I came upon some thoughts  from college-  writings of Carl Jung, a student of Sigmund Freud.  Jung theorized that Collective Psychological States exist among communities, schools and nations.  My theory developed further.  There were profound societal impacts from that divisive era.

Just as the veterans needed healing, so too did the nation.   The Memorial, I hoped, would do something to help both.

I began the effort in 1979.  I will spare you from reading a long and boring story of how the Wall  got completed in only three years.  Many people helped.    But this Blog is about PTSD.

PTSD usually begins by observing or being a victim of violence.   PTSD occurs when certain symptoms, such as reliving the event, loss of sleep, hyper-vigiliance, last for over a month.   Soldiers, journalists, police officers and convenience store clerks are among those who come into contact with traumatic events.    Yet this can happen to anyone.  I know someone who had to defend himself and mortally wounded , legally I should add,  his attacker.  Most people do not recover from this sort of thing quickly.  These types of events come out of nowhere and can many times take a toll on our lives.  Think about the students who survived the carnage of Virginia Tech.  All were experiencing a normal day of college when a mad man brought about chaos.

Many  thousands  of soldiers are now returning who have witnessed graphic and bloody scenes with  civilians and/ or US soldiers killed by terrorist bombs or other causes.  Many have taken lives in combat and struggle with the memories.   War is gruesome.  Experiencing horrific scenes leaves an indelible mark on the psyche.   Some are debilitated by the trauma that did not have the same impact on other soldiers who saw the same thing.  The science of the mind is not as scientific as we might like it to be.  There is much that those in the area need to know about the causes.  Yet there is plenty known about ways to aid recovery.

Veterans of Vietnam and, more recently, Iraq, have taken their own lives from events flowing from PTSD.  And many of these people could have been saved by seeking help.

Whatever the causes, there is good treatment available from civilian and government mental health professionals.   Some of the best research done on PTSD is by the National Institute for Mental Health.  I like this poem by Veterans Administration psychiatrist Mary Rorro.  She treats many veterans with PTSD. She also encourages them to do what she does. Mary enjoys playing musical instruments.

Clean Slate
Years not long
a story untold
all that remains
is a name
etched in stone

My fallen brother
you answered the call
If only I could
erase your name
from this wall

Written by c. Mary C. Rorro
November 2010

If you know someone who seems to be experiencing PTSD please encourage them to get help.  There is plenty available.  And get them to do something like learn to play the guitar.  That is my advice!

To learn more about the Education Center at The Wall and to help us build it, go to: www.buildthecenter.org

By Jan Craig Scruggs, M. Ed and Esq.

Be Apart of Something Great

Collecting a photo of each service member on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a huge challenge. However, it’s a challenge worthy of American heroes like Paul Archer and Larry Hitchens, who were willing to risk their lives for our freedom long ago. They did their duty as American citizens, and through photographs, their sacrifice and values will be remembered in a profound manner.

Thanks to ordinary citizens who have volunteered their time, resources, and commitment to the National Call for Photos, VVMF has collected over 25,000 photographs for display at The Education Center. Visitors to The Education Center at The Wall will be able to see Paul’s and Larry’s photos, along with photos of everyone else on The Wall, on large digital screens. There, at the Education Center, millions will see their faces, hear their stories and never forget their sacrifice.

People from across the nation are helping. Janna Hoehn, a volunteer in Maui, was able to gather all 42 photographs of the casualties from her home island. In New Mexico, the Vietnam Veterans of America gathered nearly all of the photographs after a plea from former Governor Bill Richardson.

One very generous contributor, Major General Neal Creighton, USA (Ret.), a graduate of West Point, not only gathered photos of fallen classmates, but also pledged to raise $1,000 for each. He was determined – finding others to take part – and he eventually succeeded in his efforts.

In Denver, another great American and former combat medic in Vietnam, Neal Stanley, has personally raised nearly $10,000.

From all across America, people are stepping forward and getting organized to obtain these important photos. Have you done your part yet? Can you help find a photograph? Can you help organize a fund raiser or send a donation?

With your help, The Education Center will be a place where service and sacrifice will be elevated and honored. The Center will not be just another stop during a tour of Washington, DC attractions. It will become a destination of its own; a place where each visitor will be inspired – and requested – to do more in their communities. The Center will surely become a legacy of those who served during a challenging time in our history, honoring the sacrifices made by so many in the advancement of American freedom.

They did their part…now do yours, help us build it. Go to www.BuildtheCenter.org

-

Thank you,
Jan Craig Scruggs, Esq., President
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc.