OLD GLORY TO FLY OVER VIETNAM AND KOREA MEMORIALS
AMVETS National Commander honors veterans in countdown to Memorial Day

WASHINGTON, May 13, 2008—On Monday, May 12, Old Glory was raised over the Korean War and Vietnam War memorials on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. This historic tribute to our military men and women is part of the final leg of Old Glory’s Journey of Remembrance. AMVETS National Commander John P. “JP” Brown III was on hand with the White House Commission on Remembrance to pay tribute to Korea and Vietnam veterans from around the country at the historic flag-raising.  

“As this journey winds down, I can see that it has served as a powerful reminder to all Americans that we must continuously acknowledge the contributions that our veterans have made to the cause of liberty,” said Brown. “In the months since Old Glory flew over Hawaii and embarked on a journey across this great land, thousands of Americans have come together to pay tribute to our veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, established in 1982 and located on the north side of the reflecting pool on the National Mall, serves as a memorial to all who served in the seven-year conflict. It consists of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the Three Soldiers Statue and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. The famous wall contains the names of 58,256 men and women who were killed or missing-in-action in Vietnam. The wall inspired veterans to commission a “moving wall” that travels across the country as a tribute to those who served in Vietnam and cannot visit Washington.

The Korean War Veterans Memorial, located across the reflecting pool from the Vietnam memorial, on the south side of the National Mall, was dedicated in 1995 on the 42nd anniversary of the armistice ending armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula. The memorial depicts life-sized members from each of the armed services on a combat patrol. The memorial also lists figures for the numbers of American and United Nations service members killed, wounded, missing-in-action, and captured.

AMVETS has partnered with the White House Commission on Remembrance to promote Old Glory’s Journey of Remembrance. The journey is a six-month tour of the United States counting down to the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, when Old Glory will fly over the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington.

“Each stop on this countdown is a way for Americans to remember exactly what our men and women in uniform have fought for throughout our history,” said Brown. “AMVETS is proud to be working with the (White House) commission to make this possible, especially with our close ties to the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.”

Old Glory’s journey began on Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, when the flag flew over the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. Other historic sites on the journey include Fort McHenry in Maryland, Palo Alto Battlefield in Texas, Chalmette in Louisiana, Independence Hall and Gettysburg Battlefield in Pennsylvania, Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia, and Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.

About AMVETS:    
A leader since 1944 in preserving the freedoms secured by America’s armed forces, AMVETS provides support for veterans and the active military in procuring their earned entitlements, as well as community service and legislative reform that enhances the quality of life for this nation’s citizens and veterans alike. AMVETS is one of the largest congressionally-chartered veterans’ service organizations in the United States, and includes members from each branch of the military, including the National Guard and Reserves. To learn more visit www.amvets.org.

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