American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Reaches 90% of Fundraising Goal

$5.9 Million Still Needed for Washington DC Groundbreaking
DELRAY BEACH, Fla.--(Business Wire)--
The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc. has secured 90 percent of
funding needed to break ground on the American Veterans Disabled for Life
Memorial (AVDLM) in Washington DC, announced the Foundation's Co-founder and
Chairperson Lois Pope. With the final phase of the fundraising campaign now
kicking into gear, Pope added that $5.9 million must still be raised through
corporate and individual donations before the Memorial can become a reality.

Unlike other war and veteran memorials, the AVDLM will be dedicated to both
living and deceased disabled veterans, including army, navy, air force, marines
and coast guard. The focal point of the Memorial design will be a star-shaped
reflecting pool, its surface broken by a single eternal flame. A grove of trees
will stand sentry beside the pool, symbolizing the persistence of hope. Michael
Vergason Landscape Architects, Ltd., of Alexandria, Virginia, designed the
Memorial following a national invitational design competition.

"When Congress approved the Memorial for Washington DC and President Clinton
signed it into law, one of the stipulations was that 100 percent of the money
needed to design, build and maintain the Memorial had to come from private
donations," said Pope. "And the Foundation, which was created to raise these
funds, must have all the funds in place before construction can begin. We're
almost there."

The Memorial will command an impressive two-acre site between Washington Avenue
SW, C Street SW and Second Street SW, in Washington DC. It will be within full
view of the United States Capitol, adjacent to the National Mall, and across
from Independence Avenue and the United States Botanic Garden.

"It is important to remember that of the 26 million American veterans living
across the world today, three million are permanently disabled from injuries
suffered in our nation's defense," said actor, director and musician Gary
Sinise, the Memorial's national spokesperson. "It cannot be stressed enough how
important it is to recognize the sacrifices that our country's disabled veterans
have made on behalf of us all."

The Foundation anticipates breaking ground on the Memorial in 2010. The Disabled
Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit and donations are
deductible to the fullest extent of the law. To make a donation, or for more
information, visit www.avdlm.org.

Release Summary:

The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc. has secured 90 percent of
the funds needed to break ground on the American Veterans Disabled for Life
Memorial in Washington DC.

Keyword Tags: veterans, army, washington dc

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For American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
Jenny Julien, 305-531-5720
jenny@tma-pr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009