Edison Plaza To Host Three-Week Stay
The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit presented by Groves Equipment Rental
It is through the gracious donations of the following businesses and organizations that the scheduled exhibit events are made possible:
Vietnam Veterans of America Southeast Texas Chapter 292, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 348, Orange, Texas, Marine Corps League, Welcome Home Brother Committee, The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee, City of Beaumont, Edison Plaza, Albanese-Cormier Holdings, La Peep Restaurant, Market Basket, Odyssey Hospice, a Gentiva® Company, Claybar Funeral Home, American Valve & Hydrant, and the Patriot Guard Riders
For general information contact Barbara Otto, 409-880-3736 or cell 409-782-5900 or to arrange for a group of 10 or more to visit the exhibit, please contact Sheree Pierce, 409-673-0884 or email: sheree.pierce@yahoo.com.
Other resources:
http://Buildthemonument.org
http://Buildthemonument.org/texas-vietnam-heroes-exhibit | 5:17 video
They’re part of an officer’s uniform. Every soldier must wear them. They have their rank, social security number, blood type and religious preference. They are their dog tags.
Soldiers wear two of them. Many wear them around their necks, but during Vietnam due to the type of fighting some soldiers put tape around them to mask the clinking noise of them rubbing together. Others wore one around their neck and laced the other into their boot or secured the second tag to their belt.
These dog tags are the only way to identify a soldier killed in action. One tag stays with the body and the other is used to notify the next of kin.
The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit
The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit is an integral part of The 3417 Project, a personalized tribute by the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument to honor and remember all the 3,417 Texans who died in the Vietnam War.
This powerful exhibit arrives in Beaumont September 16th, for a three-week exhibition at Edison Plaza, 350 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas. Exhibit hours are Monday – Friday from 9 am – 6 pm and Saturday/Sunday from 8 am – 2:30 pm.
Through a generous donation Groves Equipment Rental presents The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit to Southeast Texas and the surrounding area. Mike and Eldon Albanese and Thomas Cormier graciously agreed to allow the exhibit to be housed in the lobby of Edison Plaza. In doing so, Mike and Eldon Albanese honor their father Chuck Albanese, U.S. Marine and Vietnam veteran. Recently Chuck Albanese accepted the honor of receiving these tags in the custom so fit of fallen soldiers. He will act as the custodian of the exhibit during the three-week stay in Beaumont. True to their mission, The Patriot Guard Riders will escort the truck carrying the dog tags of 3,417 fallen Vietnam veterans into Beaumont on Monday, September 16, 2013.
The exhibit was birthed as a part of The 3,417 Project, two dog tags were hand-embossed with the name, rank, branch of service, date of loss and home of record of each Texan who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the American Armed Forces during Vietnam. One of each tag is displayed in the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit. The second will be entombed in the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument at the groundbreaking March 29, 2014 on the Capitol grounds in Austin, Texas.
The Texans who died in the Vietnam War are remembered on silver tags. The tags of the 102 Texan military personnel who are listed as Missing In Action are black. The exhibit invites visitors to ponder the magnitude of Texan sacrifice in Vietnam through a display of 3,418 tags – one blank tag honors Texans known only to God who died in Vietnam. Eriq Moquin, son a Vietnam veteran, designed the exhibit, which was produced by Excalibur Exhibits for the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit made its debut on March 24, 2013 at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in Austin. The exhibit opening accompanied the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Reading of the Names event held as part of the monument’s groundbreaking ceremonies.
The tags hang together in alphabetical order so people can easily find individual names using the guides at the top and the panels at the base. The Texas Hero tags hang freely on their chains, inviting visitor interaction. Texas Vietnam veteran Don Dorsey, who hand-embossed the tags, wanted people to be able to touch the tags, and purposefully chose a reflective surface for the tags so that the play of light and color would bring life to this stunning and personal tribute.
During the exhibit’s three-week stay local donations will be accepted to benefit Indian Camp Special Needs Camp in Kountze, TX. This 501-(c)3 organization built a camp for special needs and inner city children. They recently began an outreach program with Texas Parks and Wildlife hosting weekends for disabled Veterans to hunt and fish.
It is through the gracious donations of the following businesses and organizations that this exhibit and the scheduled events are made possible: Vietnam Veterans of America Southeast Texas Chapter 292, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 348, Orange, Texas, Marine Corps League, Welcome Home Brother Committee, The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee, City of Beaumont, Edison Plaza, Albanese-Cormier Holdings, La Peep Restaurant, Market Basket, Odyssey Hospice, a Gentiva® Company, Claybar Funeral Home, American Valve & Hydrant, and the Patriot Guard Riders.
Presented by Groves Equipment Rental
Facts about the Exhibit
- 9 kiosks (7 containing the names and 2 text panels)
- Length: 40 feet
- Transported in 11 crates
- Display Design: The kiosks are modular allowing for flexibility in display design.
- Maquette of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument travels with the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit
- Handcrafted by Don Dorsey, Texas Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Marine Corp.
Schedule of Events – Beaumont Exhibition
| Mon. Sept. 16th – 9-10 am | Arrival of Exhibit and Receiving Ceremony, Edison Plaza, 350 Pine Street, Beaumont, TX |
| Tues., Sept. 17th – 5:30 – 8:00 pm | Sponsor Reception (invitation only), Edison Plaza, 350 Pine Street, Beaumont, TX |
| Wed., Sept. 18th – 10 am | The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit Opening Ceremony, Edison Plaza |
| Sept. 18 – Oct. 6th | Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri. 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Sat. & Sun. 8:00 am – 2:30 pm Sun., Oct. 6th – 6:00 pm Candlelight Ceremony |
The Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit Tour Schedule
2013
July – LBJ Presidential Library, Austin
August – Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio – sponsored by Valero
September 18 – October 6 – Edison Plaza, 350 Pine Street, Beaumont – presented by Groves Equipment Rental
Opening October 25 – Texas Tech University Museum, Lubbock
Opening November 23 – Houston Museum of Science & Medicine, Houston
2014
January – Fort Worth Museum of Science & Industry, Fort Worth
Feb/March – Corpus Christi (tentative)
March 29 – Texas State Capitol, Austin
If you would like to bring the exhibit to your community, please contact Brian@buildthemonument.org
Background Information on the Monument and the Exhibit
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument will stand as a permanent honor to all Texans who served in the Vietnam War – and it will also serve as a permanent memorial to the 3,417 Texans who never came home. This memorial will be made through The 3417 Project, which will individually honor each Texan who died in the Vietnam War.
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument 3417 Project created a set of two dog tags for every Texan who died in service to his country in Vietnam, each personalized and hand-embossed with the name, branch of service, rank, date of loss and hometown of the Texas hero. One tag is displayed in the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit, and the other was dedicated for entombment in the Monument during the Groundbreaking Ceremony March 24, 2013.
As part of the 3417 Project, the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument held a public Reading of the Names on March 24, 2013 at the LBJ Presidential Library Lady Bird Auditorium in Austin.
Our heroes were also honored by name on a poster in the Groundbreaking Program. You can download a copy of the 3417 Project poster featuring the names of all Texas Vietnam War Heroes at http://buildthemonument.org/texas-vietnam-heroes-exhibit
The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee is also collecting the stories of Texans who died in the Vietnam War while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces at http://buildthemonument.org/contribute-your-story
Our Texas heroes’ 3417 memorial was hand crafted by Texas Vietnam veterans, led by Don Dorsey, a United States Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and a member of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee. Individuals may order a heroes tag by visiting: http://buildthemonument.org/order-a-hero-tag
For more information:
http://buildthemonument.org/texas-vietnam-heroes-exhibit
Local donations will be accepted during the stay of the exhibit to benefit Indian Springs “Special Needs” Camp for the Disabled Veteran Outreach Program.
Indian Springs “Special Needs” Camp
(A 501 (c) 3 CORPORATION)
In 1985 we had a dream to build a camp where inner city and underprivileged kids could come enjoy a part of life that some would never experience. We had a vision of a camp where nature would be the center of the curriculum. 1987 was the year Indian Springs Camp was born. We started working with the underprivileged and inner city kids to give them an opportunity to get out and enjoy what Mother Nature has to offer. We give them an all new prospective of life by developing goals around nature related activities. We along with some of the Big Thicket Preserve Park Rangers, offer several outdoor programs that hopefully will impact their lives in future development. In 1995, Indian Springs Camp became a 501 (c) 3 and incorporated under BRED CORP. This gives us the opportunity to solicit donations and apply for grants. Our work with these kids hasn’t changed sense the beginning.
In 1998 we expanded our curriculum to include a more challenging program with both the disabled kids as well as our disabled veterans. Along with the assistance of the Texas Parks & Wildlife, we started hosting a hunting program for the kids and the veterans. On Veterans Day Weekend, we host our wounded veterans. The following weekend, we host the disabled kids. This is all accomplished thru donations such as yours. As for our veterans, this is our way of thanking them for their unselfish duty in protecting our free America. As for the kids, we want to give them memories that will last a lifetime. We want to give both the vision that no matter their handicap, they are able to stretch their imagination in doing more. This is not only an adventure for the kids and veterans but also the parents and spouses as they are encouraged to participate.
If you have a child or know of one that would like to take part of our “special needs kids hunt” go to www.acts2remember.net for an application. They will meet with you and follow-up with your application.
Your tax-deductible donation will help with all our programs that we offer here in The Big Thicket of Southeast Texas. If you would like to donate to a specific program, just note it along with the donation. You can either mail in your donation or send it in thru “Pay Pal”. With your help, we will be able to continue our annual program that will give these veterans and children the opportunity to experience Mother Nature at her best.
Mission Statement
The Corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Section 501(c) (3) of the internal Revenue Code, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions of organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under Suction 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, including, but not limited to, working with children, the physically challenged, and underprivileged to give them a chance to experience life-at-one with nature. Our philosophy is one of caring and sharing with each other, doing your best, never quitting, respecting each other as well as nature, and enjoying life. Our trails and course is designed to teach self worth as well as team worth. When boys/girls leave Indian Springs, they will leave here with a common goal, all things are possible. Other activities that we have here at the camp further this bond and a feeling of individual pride. Our latest addition is working with our disabled veterans. We host them and our disable kids the opportunity to hunt deer here within our campground in our special built ADA blinds.
Indian Springs Camp & RV Park
1-409-246-2508
PATRIOT GUARD
Mission Statement:
“The Patriot Guard Riders is a 100% volunteer, Federally registered 501(c) 3 non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans.”
Vision Statement:
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles – it is an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security including Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans. If you share this respect, please join us.
We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:
1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of
protestors.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.
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