For Immediate Release
December 13, 2007

Contact: Lisa Gough
(202) 393-0090 , ext.109

Media Advisory
CHRISTMAS TREE TO BE DECORATED AT THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
WITH CARDS TO VETERANS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL
Christmas Tree Ceremony at The Wall, Thursday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m.

What:

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will honor veterans and active-duty military personnel by decorating a Christmas tree at The Wall with holiday greeting cards sent to the Memorial Fund by Americans of all ages. The tree will also be decorated with hand-made cards and ornaments made by schoolchildren from around the country.

The annual Christmas Tree at The Wall ceremony will begin at the East Knoll. Volunteers will read some of the greetings before the tree is placed at the apex of The Wall and decorated by volunteers and visitors.
   
Who:

Brief remarks will be made by:  

  • Rev. William E. Calbert, Shiloh Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War veteran;
  • Navy Capt. Eugene Smallwood Jr., health policy advisor in partnership strategy, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Smallwood’s father, Eugene F. Smallwood, is remembered on Panel 18W, Row 59 of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial);
  • John E. “Chip” Akridge III, Akridge Company founder and chairman, chairman of the Trust for the National Mall and Vietnam veteran; and
  • Jan Scruggs, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund founder and president.   
   
  Handmade ornaments and greetings have been sent by these schools:
 
  • El Cajon Valley High School, El Cajon, Calif.
  • Hebron-Harman Elementary, Hanover, Md.
  • Jefferson High School, Lafayette, Ind.
  • Leo Junior-Senior High School, Leo, Ind.
  • Mesick Middle School, Mesick, Mich.
  • Scott Memorial Middle School, Wortheville, Va.
  • Stillwater Township School, Stillwater, N.J.
  • White Oaks Elementary, Burke, Va.
  • Williamsport High School, Williamsport, Md.
  • Zundy Junior High School, Wichita Falls, Texas
   
When:

Thursday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. 

   
Where: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
(Constitution Ave. and 21st St., NW)
   
Why: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund receives thousands of holiday messages each December to be placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Individuals from across the nation include personal messages to honor and remember those who served during the Vietnam War, as well as those currently serving overseas.
   
Donors: This year’s tree was donated by Roland Elliott and his family, from New London, Pa. The Elliotts have donated a live Christmas tree for the ceremony for the past six years.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the non-profit organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  Today, through a series of outreach programs, it is dedicated to preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War. It is building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, an underground educational facility, near The Wall.

###

Donate Now

Donate Now and Help Us Build The Education Center at The Wall. The stories of our military heroes' stories and sacrifice must never be forgotten

Be an Online Advocate
Spread the word to friends and family.
facebook icon twitter icon

Join Us!
Sign up to receive e-mail updates about
Memorial Fund activities.
Enter your e-mail address below:
Sign up to stay updated on the building of the Education Center and Memorial Fund activities. Enter your e-mail address below:


go
Build The Center

Learn about VVMF's efforts to build an Education Center at The Wall.

go