CEREMONIES AT THE WALL

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Louisa Shelton
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1 2014 CEREMONIES AT THE WALL

2 ABOUT THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Inc. (VVMF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1979 by the U.S. Congress to fund and build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. More than 30 years after its dedication, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly called The Wall, stands as a symbol of honor for and recognition of the men and women who served and sacrificed for our country. More than 4 million people visit The Wall every year, making one of the most visited memorials on the National Mall. Today VVMF continues in its mission of education, healing and preservation through ceremonies and special events at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. These ceremonies are free and open to the public thanks to the support of generous sponsors. More information on ceremonies and events can be found at Name Additions Sunday, May 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. Reading of the Names: Post 9/11 Heroes Saturday, May 24, 2014 at 9:00 am Memorial Day Monday, May 26, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial In Memory Weekend Friday, June 13, through Sunday June 15, 2014 Father s Day Rose Remembrance Ceremony Sunday, June 15, 2014 at 8:00 a.m. Veterans Day Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at 1 p.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Christmas Tree Ceremony at The Wall Sunday, December 14, 2014 at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial *Vietnam Veterans Memorial Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon Date to be determined AFP Getty Images

3 MEMORIAL DAY AND VETERANS DAY MEMORIAL DAY The annual Memorial Day ceremony is hosted yearly by the Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to pay tribute to members of America s armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and in all conflicts. This ceremony draws thousands in attendance and is regularly broadcasted and reported in national media outlets. Notable presenters at this ceremony have included: President Barack Obama The Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense The Honorable Leon Panetta, former Secretary of Defense Admiral Michael Mullen, USN (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff The Honorable Bob Dole Gen. George W. Casey Jr., USA (Ret.), former Army Chief of Staff The Honorable Tom Ridge, former Secretary of Homeland Security VETERANS DAY Each year thousands of visitors to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial gather to honor our nation s veterans. On this special day, prominent Americans from all walks of life come to the Memorial to deliver thought-evoking and patriotic speeches. This ceremony pays tribute to all of our country s servicemen and servicewomen, regardless of what conflict they served in. This year s ceremony marks the 20th anniversary of the Three Servicemen Statue. This ceremony draws thousands in attendance and is regularly broadcasted and reported in national media outlets. Some notable speakers and participants have included: Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki, USA (Ret.), Secretary of Veterans Affairs The Honorable Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense The Honorable Ken Salazar, former Secretary of the Interior Gen. Peter Pace, USMC (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter M. Holt, CEO of Holt Companies and the San Antonio Spurs Brig. Gen. Evelyn Pat Foote, USA (Ret.) Gen. Richard B. Myers USAF (Ret.), former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff James Wright, President Emeritus, Dartmouth College The Honorable Anthony Principi, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs

4 READING OF THE NAMES: POST 9/11 HEROES READING OF THE NAMES: POST 9/11 HEROES Honor the fallen, honor the veteran. It seems so simple; separate the war from the warrior. It is almost easy to forget that there was a time in the history of the United States of America, not so long ago, when this was not so. There was a time when returning veterans were spit upon, yelled at, and shamed. But instead of turning inward, against the country and people who abandoned them, Vietnam veterans said, Never again. Their resolve was inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, as it changed the course of American history by providing a place where citizens learned to respect the warrior despite their feelings about the war. Today, The Wall continues to heal wounds wrought by war and to symbolize America s deep gratitude for all who serve. It is time now to honor a new generation of American heroes. It is time we give a hero s Welcome home to those who served and sacrificed in our nation s current conflicts. They deserve to be recognized on the country s front porch the National Mall. On Saturday, May 24, we will read the names of each and every American service member who has made the ultimate sacrifice since the attack on Sept. 11, Americans from across the nation will join together to read the names of these heroes in the order they were taken from us. This special ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 24th, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Learn more about the event and to see the list of prominent supporters and endorsers, visit

5 CEREMONIES AND EVENTS NAME ADDITIONS The Name Addition Ceremony is held on Mother s Day each year. Each year, names that have met the Department of Defense criteria for addition to The Wall, having sustained wounds in Vietnam from which they eventually perished, are unveiled on the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. IN MEMORY DAY The In Memory program honors those who died as a result of the Vietnam War, but whose deaths do not fit the Department of Defense criteria for inclusion upon the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Every year there is a ceremony to pay tribute to these men and women who sacrificed so much for their country. The ceremony is held on Flag Day. FATHER'S DAY ROSE REMEMBRANCE Every year on Father's Day, volunteers join sons and daughters of those whose names are inscribed on The Wall and affix long-stemmed roses with messages of love and honor, sent from across the country to those lost in the war. Each message is read aloud and each rose is touched to the loved one's name on The Wall before finally being placed at the base of the Memorial. CHRISTMAS TREE Before Christmas each year, the Memorial Fund staff and volunteers decorate a tree at the apex of The Wall. The tree is decorated with thousands of holiday messages sent to the Memorial Fund to honor those who served with the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam and other military conflicts and their families. *VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Each year, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund honors the National Park Service volunteers at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. These volunteers dedicate their time to assisting more than four million annual visitors at The Wall.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FLAG PROTOCOL

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR FLAG PROTOCOL The Florida Department of State is the custodian of the official State of Florida Flag and maintains a Flag Protocol and Display web page at http://www.dos.state.fl.us/office/admin-services/flag-main.aspx.