Vietnam Memorial Seeks Support to Halt Vandalism

PHILADELPHIA, May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- In concert with Memorial Day on May 25,
the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Board is launching a grass
roots fund-raising effort that will "permit every patriotic and concerned
citizen a chance to show they care" about the continuing desecration of the
Memorial at Penn's Landing.

The Board also announced that it will be honoring the four Philadelphia police
officers and firefighters who lost their lives in Vietnam during ceremonies at
noon at the Memorial at Front and Spruce Streets. The keynote speaker will be
Joseph T. Cox, headmaster of the Haverford School and a retired Army colonel
who served in Vietnam.

The Memorial, dedicated in 1987, was built largely with individual donations
from veterans and others and "we hope the same sort of spirit will permit
every patriotic and concerned citizen a chance to show they care," said Terry
A. Williamson, president of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund,
which oversees the Memorial in cooperation with the Fairmount Park.

The Memorial, which was designed as an enclosed amphitheater for quiet
reflection, has instead become a hidden place to commit vandalism or use
skateboards virtually since it was built more than 20 years ago. In the most
recent act of desecration, lewd and obscene posters were pasted on the wall of
names honoring the 646 servicemen who lost their lives in Vietnam. Central
detectives of the Philadelphia Police Department are investigating.

"With the sacrifices of men and women in the war against terror, it is hard to
understand why anyone would commit these despicable acts," Williamson said.
"It doesn't just dishonor those who died in Vietnam, but all who are serving
or have served."

The Board two years ago launched a $2 million "Duty to Remember" Campaign and
to date has raised more than $500,000 for the preservation and restoration of
the Memorial in an effort to reverse two decades wear and weather. Work on
"Phase I" is expected to start soon and involves repairs to paving and hard
surfaces, a video security system, new lighting and the refurbishing of the
wall of names. Phase II involves opening the "wall of scenes" on the Spruce
Street side of the Memorial to provide a view inside the Memorial.

"Unfortunately, all the new lighting and security cameras in the world won't
stop the vandalism," Williamson said. "Police and security experts agree that
the key is opening up the Memorial as a deterrent to those who would deface
the Memorial."

The web-based fundraising effort permits individuals to donate online and also
sign up as team leaders. By using their personal e-mail addresses team
leaders can send a message through the web site to solicit funds whether it be
$10 or $100 or any other sum. To participate, visit www.pvvm.org. The Board
is also producing a 30-second Public Service Announcement for media outlets to
highlight the effort.

SOURCE Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Board

John Scott McAllister for the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Board, +1-610-742-2538