American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, was created in 1998 to raise an estimated $85 million in private funds needed to design, build and permanently maintain The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. The Foundation subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, and is a registered charitable organization in all states and jurisdictions that require it.
Public Law 106-348, signed by President Clinton in 2000, authorized the building of the Memorial. The foundation was founded by philanthropist Lois Pope; Arthur Wilson, General National Adjutant of Disabled American Veterans; and the late Jesse Brown, former Secretary of Veterans’ Affairs; and was sponsored in Congress by Senator John McCain (AZ), former Senator Max Cleland (GA), and Representatives Sam Jonson (TX) and John Murtha (PA).
With strong support from disabled veterans, the memorial to honor America’s disabled veterans will be constructed just steps from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. Transcending conflicts, service branches and generations, The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial is intended to express America's gratitude to the men and women whose lives have changed in service to our nation.
The Memorial will be located on a 2.4-acre site at Washington Avenue and Second Street SW, adjacent to the National Mall and across from the U.S. Botanic Garden. The Memorial will be accessible to all visitors, especially the handicapped, 24-hours a day.
After design submissions from more than 20 renowned architecture firms, the Foundation selected Michael Vergason Landscape Architects for the Memorial’s design. Their work includes the National Cathedral, U.S. Cemetery at Omaha Beach (France), U.S. Supreme Court, Monticello, Montpelier, Gannett Corporate Headquarters, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Virginia.
Through the juxtaposition of granite and glass, the Memorial will convey the interplay of strength and vulnerability, loss and renewal. The focal point will be a star-shaped fountain, its surface broken only by a single ceremonial flame. Three walls of laminated glass with text and images and four bronze sculptures will tell the universal story of the disabled veteran’s call to service, trauma, challenge of healing, and re-discovery of purpose.
Joined by their able-bodied brethren, civic and community leaders, and elected and appointed officials, hundreds of disabled American veterans gathered in Washington, D.C. in November 2010 for the groundbreaking ceremony which also marked a historic milestone in a decades-long effort to achieve special recognition for the unique sacrifices disabled veterans have made in service to this country.
The groundbreaking ceremony featured U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi; U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki; award-winning actor and Memorial spokesperson Gary Sinise; Chairman of the Board of Directors of the 1.2 million-member Disabled American Veterans Roberto “Bobby” Barrera and National Commander Wallace E. Tyson; former Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony Principi; Veterans Affairs Chaplain Clarence Cross; as well as the Memorial Foundation’s co-founders philanthropist Lois Pope and Disabled American Veterans CEO Arthur H. Wilson.
Washington, D.C.-based Tompkins Builders, which has built many of the most well-known landmarks in the nation’s capital, will construct The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Tompkins Builders’ extensive portfolio includes the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art, National World War II Memorial, East Wing of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.
Gary Sinise, actor, director and musician, is the Memorial’s national spokesperson. Mr. Sinise has been traveling the country supporting the Memorial’s cause at events and conferences from coast to coast.
The Memorial is anticipated to be dedicated in November 2013.
STEPS FOR ESTABLISHING A MEMORIAL IN THE NATION’S CAPITAL
Source: National Capital Memorial Commission, February 2001, Pages 167-168
Initiation
1. Memorial sponsor seeks National Capital Memorial Commission (NCMC) staff assistance to review the requirements and process established by the Commemorative Works Act (CWA) and its applicability to the proposed memorial.
Legislation
2. Memorial sponsor seeks a Senator or Representative who is willing to draft and introduce a bill to authorize establishment of the memorial.
3. Staffs of NCMC, member of Congress who will introduce bill and authorizing committees draft a bill that conforms to the provisions of the CWA.
4. Congressman and/or Senator introduce bill authorizing the memorial and designating the sponsor as the entity responsible for its erection at no cost to the federal government.
5. NCMC considers proposed authorizing legislation to establish its views pursuant to CWA.
6. Chairmen of House and Senate authorizing sub-committees solicit views of NCMC, may hold hearings on proposed authorizing legislation, and take action on a bill before sending it to the full House and Senate for a vote on the bill.
7. President signs bill into law if passed by Congress.
8. Memorial sponsor organizes the structure of the entity that will establish the memorial and begins planning for fundraising efforts.
Site Selection & Approval
9. If requested by the sponsor, the Secretary of the Interior seeks the advice of NCMC to determine whether the memorial warrants placement in Area 1. Secretary, if requested, notifies Congress of a determination that the subject is of preeminent and lasting historical significance so that Congress can consider passage of legislation authorizing an Area 1 location.
10. Memorial sponsor works with staff of NCMC to identify potential sites and prepare alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental analysis.
11. Memorial sponsor submits alternative site study and accompanying preliminary environmental analysis to NPS for approval of preferred site. After consultation with NCMC, NPS approves a preferred site on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior.
12. NPS submits approved site to the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) and the Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for approval and initiates consultation with the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO).
Design Approval
13. After site approval by NCPC and CFA, and comment by SHPO, the design process begins.
14. Memorial sponsor selects (1) a designer, or (2) a coordinator for design competition, if a competition is to be held. Individual characteristics of proposals may require additional related actions, the combination of two or more actions, or a change in the order of steps as outlined in this guide.
15. Memorial sponsor selects preferred design concept and meets with NPS to discuss issues that design may present. After possible refinements, sponsor submits the design concept and accompanying environmental assessment to NPS for approval. NPS reviews design concept and, upon concurrence, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
16. NPS reviews design concept and, upon concurrence, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
17. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS, refines the design concept on the basis of agency comments and submits preliminary design to the landholding agency who, upon approval, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
18. Memorial sponsor, in close coordination with NPS, refines preliminary design on the basis of agency comments and submits final design to NPS who, upon approval, submits it to NCPC, CFA, and SHPO.
19. Memorial design team completes final drawings and specifications in close coordination with NPS.
Fundraising & Construction
20. Memorial sponsor completes fundraising.
21. Memorial sponsor submits to NPS final drawings and specifications, cost estimate, and evidence of funds on hand, plus 10 percent cash payment of design and construction costs for maintenance. The sponsor seeks final approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
22. NPS issues a construction permit on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior.
23 Memorial sponsor begins construction and preparation of operation, maintenance, and preservation plans for the memorial.
24. Memorial is dedicated and transferred to NPS for management with accompanying as-built operation, maintenance, and preservation plans.
DISABLED VETERANS’ LIFE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lois Pope, Co-Founder and Chairman
One of America’s leading philanthropists, Lois Pope joined forces with DAV National Adjutant Arthur H. Wilson and the late Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jesse Brown to create the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation in 1998.
Her efforts also support medical research, scholarships, summer camp programs, humanitarian relief, performing arts and animal welfare for organizations as diverse as Unsung Hero Scholarships, Guatemala Water Project, The Lois Pope LIFE Center, International Achievement Award, Sudan Genocide Response Team, Ambulances for MDA, Lois Pope Pet Mobile, and The Cedars of Marin.
Mrs. Pope is also the founder and President of Leaders In Furthering Education (LIFE), a 501(c)(3) charity.
Arthur H. Wilson, Co-Founder and President
Arthur H. Wilson, who served in Vietnam, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan, is an outspoken advocate for the disabled, and considers it his duty to ensure that the American public understands the sacrifices made by disabled veterans.
Since 1994, Mr. Wilson has been the National Adjutant of Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a congressionally‐chartered, not‐for‐profit service organization that acts as the official voice of the nation’s wartime disabled veterans. As the DAV’s Chief Executive Officer, he manages all operations of one of America’s largest charitable institutions.
Mr. Wilson serves on the Board of Trustees of the Intrepid Museum Foundation. He is Vice Chairman of the DAV Charitable Service Trust and Vice President of the DAV National Service Foundation.
Gene A. Murphy, Treasurer
Gene Murphy was paralyzed in 1969 by two gunshots to his right side while serving as an Army sergeant in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star with V Device. National Commander of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in 1987‐88, he was named South Dakotaʹs Handicapped Citizen of the Year in 1979. In 1984, Mr. Murphy was honored by the National DAV as the nation’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year.
He is a member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Military Order of The Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the American Legion and the South Dakota Veterans Council, for which he served as President in 1978‐79. He has been on the Foundation Board since 1998.
Dennis A. Joyner, Secretary
Dennis Joyner became a triple amputee after a land mine explosion while on patrol in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta in 1969. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He served as National Commander of the DAV in 1983-84, and currently serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the DAV National Service Foundation Board of Directors. In 1977, President Reagan named him the nation’s Handicapped American of the Year and he was also honored as DAV’s National Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. He served as President of the DAV Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Corporation from 1986 to 1998.
Mr. Joyner is a graduate of Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh. He has served in administrative positions for the Westmoreland County Courts in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and in Seminole County, Florida. He was elected to the Board in June 2008.
Diane Musselmann, Director
Diane Musselmann brings a wealth of experience and a unique perspective as a caregiver to her late husband, Ken, who sacrificed his legs in Vietnam.
Mrs. Musselmann is an effective and enthusiastic advocate for the rights of disabled veterans—she knows that what happens on Capitol Hill and in State Houses across the country actually affects what happens at home.
She is a graduate of California State University at Long Beach and has worked with special needs high school children for more than 20 years. She has held several offices with the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, is involved in her church and has played many roles in several civic organizations.
Allen F. ʺGunnerʺ Kent, Director
Allen Kent was appointed adjutant general of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) in August 2005. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Veterans Service Organization Liaison in the department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, D.C. from 1996 to 2005.
Mr. Kent was on active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 until 1982. During his military service, he received a Bronze Star with Combat V device, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, As well as several unit commendations, citations and foreign decorations.
He is currently a life member of VFW Post 9972 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, and was selected Arizona’s “Young Vietnam Veteran of the Year” for 1979. He was elected to the Foundation Board in September 2008.
Gordon H. Mansfield, Director
Gordon Mansfield served as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 2005 to 2009 under President George W. Bush. He previously served as VA Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs from 2001 to 2004 and was Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs from October to December 2007.
Mr. Mansfield is a graduate of Villanova University and earned his law degree at the University of Miami School of Law. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and sustained a spinal cord injury during the Tet Offensive of 1968. He was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star, two Purple Hearts, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
He was honored as the Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year at the 2006 national convention of the Disabled American Veterans. He was elected to the Board in January 2009.
In Memoriam — Kenneth G. Musselmann, Director
Kenneth Musselmann was appointed to the Board in 1998. Mr. Musslemann lost both his legs to gunshot wounds and a land mine explosion in Vietnam. He was DAV National Commander in 1986-87 and was the Adjutant of the DAV Department of California from 1989 to 2008.
He held all elected officer positions in the DAVʹs Department of California, including that of State Commander, and was Chapter Commander of DAV Chapter 19 in Lakewood, California, where he was a life member. Mr. Musselmann was selected California’s Outstanding Disabled Veteran in1978 and the DAV recruiter of the year in 2006 for bringing 346 disabled veterans into membership of the DAV Department of California. He was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service to our country. His wife of 43 years, Diane, is a current member of the Board.
DISABLED VETERANS’ LIFE MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
ADVISORY BOARD'
Michael Powell was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission by President Bill Clinton in 1997 and was chairman of the commission under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005.
Mr. Powell, son of former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Alma Powell, was an armored cavalry officer in the U.S. Army stationed in Amberg, Germany when his military career ended after he sustained severe injuries during a training mission in 1987.
He is a Trustee of the RAND Corporation, a Henry Crown Fellow of The Aspen Institute, and is on the boards of Georgetown University Law Center, Object Video, CMWare, and Cisco. He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary.
Anthony Principi was Secretary of Veterans Affairs under President George W. Bush from 2001 until 2005. Prior to his nomination, Mr. Principi was president of QTC Medical Services, Inc., was senior vice president at Lockheed Martin IMS, and was a partner in the San Diego law firm of Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps. He was Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 1989 to 1992 and was Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs until 1993.
Mr. Principi is a 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. He was awarded a Bronze Star with V Device for valor and the Navy Combat Action Medal for his service in Vietnamʹs Mekong. He earned his law degree from Seton Hall University in 1975.
George Schaefer, Jr.
George Schaefer is a Vietnam veteran decorated with a Bronze Star. Upon leaving the Army in 1971, he joined Fifth Third Bancorp in Cincinnati, where he served as Chief Executive Officer from 1990 until 2007, and Chairman of the Board of Directors until June 2008.
He earned a degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from Xavier University.
Mr. Schaefer is a Director of Wellpoint Inc. and is on the Board of Directors of the University of Cincinnati Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Fine Arts Fund, Taft Museum of Art, the Johnny Bench Scholarship Fund and the Health Alliance of Greater Cincinnati. He also served as Chairman of the Board of the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
George Reenstra
George Reenstra began his aviation career as a helicopter pilot for the Army Special Forces and Navy Seals in Vietnam in the late 1960s. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Navy Commendation Medal with a V device and 28 air medals.
His civilian career began as a sales representative for Bell Helicopter in the early 1970s. Throughout the next decade he was employed by Sikorsky Aircraft, where he was responsible for the sale of S-76 corporate helicopters. Mr. Reenstra left Sikorsky to co-found Aircraft Services Group, an aircraft management firm located in New Jersey, and EVAS Worldwide, an aircraft safety device manufacturer.
He served as Ronald Reagan’s helicopter pilot from 1978 until he was elected president of Aircraft Services Group. He is a graduate of William Paterson College.
MAJOR DONORS & BENEFACTORS
Disabled American Veterans (DAV)
Lois Pope & Lois Pope LIFE Foundation
H. Ross Perot, Sr.
LIFE
Leo Albert
Braman Family Foundation
Ford Motor Foundation
Fifth Third Foundation
Gary Sinise Charitable Foundation
TriWest
Downey McGrath Group, Inc.
Healthnet Federal Services
Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold
Bob & Suzy Pence
Military Order Of The Purple Heart
Davco Restaurants
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Humana Military Healthcare Services
ADDITIONAL ENDORSEMENTS
The Independent Budget
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
National Amputation Foundation
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