NEW (OLD) VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

Oldest Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Relocation Project

presented by

Beaverton American Legion Post #124

and

(Post #124) Beaverton Veterans Memorial Managment Corporation

UPDATE (June 9, 2016):

The Re-Dedication of the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial took place

June 9, 2016.

Hundreds were in attendance.

Article from The Oregonian, written by Allan Brettman

Article from the Beaverton Valley Times, written by Mark Miller

Click here to view Governor Tom McCall's original dedication speech note cards.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (July 21, 2016):

Almost completed. The final three plaques have been put in place.

Some mortar work is yet to be done and some last minor items.

(Crew from LCD prepare to secure the "McCall" plaque)

(The "McCall" plaque and two smaller historical plaques secured)

(Yes, mortar is going to be applied around these plaques)

(The original dedication plaque now has an imprinted photo of how the Memorial looked when originally built in 1968)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 28, 2016):

Lights have been installed, looks great at night as well.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 27, 2016):

The center piece put in place on Thursday May 26th.

Today finish detail work begins with mortar being applied around the granite plates.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 21, 2016):

With the sidewalk poured and finished the moument is about 80% complete.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 20, 2016):

The concrete sidewalk surround was poured today, the crew working late into the evening. Early next week the last large granite piece will be installed, then some finishing details and clean up. The three remaining smaller granite pieces will be installed in a couple weeks to complete the project.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 17, 2016):

The monument has electrical power now and the lights were installed today. The sidewalk around the monument should be poured by Friday the 20th.

(Lightworks Electric Co. installing the monument lights)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (May 11, 2016):

The first four panels were installed into the new foundation May 11th, end plaques will be installed once the lights and sidewalk are finished hopefully around May 20th.

(LCD crew hard at work, taking extra care with these historic panels)

(Mark Chimento of 3CM Stone)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (April 27, 2016):

While the construction site is quite busy, so is a crew refurbishing the Monument and its over 700 name plates. The Monument is presently stored at the LCD warehouse in Beaverton.

(Gary Spelce and Don Janigian polishing over 700 name plates)

(John Dimeo polishing the 1968 Gov Tom McCall Dedication Plate)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE (April 22, 2016):

The main concrete support structure was poured on April 21st, the project is presently ahead of schedule.

The Relocation Project is now fully funded and construction started April 4, 2016 with a planned completion date the first week of May 2016.

An official groundbreaking took place at the Veterans Memorial Park on April 4, 2016.

Groundbreaking, video courtesy of KGW.com (click) Newscast Video

Beaverton Valley Times Article, Written by Eric Apalategui (click) Article

American Legion Beaverton Post #124 and its affiliate the Beaverton Veterans Memorial Management Corporation (BVMMC), a 501(c)(3) organization, is presently restoring and relocating the oldest Vietnam War Memorial of its kind in the United States. The Memorial has been displayed on the Beaverton Elks Lodge building for almost fifty years, but due to the sale of the (Elks) building and the building’s renovation, the Memorial was in jeopardy.

This noble preservation effort has already started, the Memorial has been removed from the Elks building and is safely stored. We are now moving quickly to build a suitable and permanent home for this historic Memorial within our Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park. Of course we can not accomplish this project without the generous help of the community.

We are asking for cash donations to off-set the costs of the removal, storage, restoration, and construction of its new home.

Checks can be made out to BVMMC and mailed to:

Beaverton Veterans Memorial Management Corporation (or simply BVMMC)

c/o A L Post #124

12500 SW Allen Blvd, Box 10

Beaverton OR 97005

Designate the donation for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Project (or VVMP).

Some history about this Vietnam Memorial: The Memorial was built in part with life insurance money received from the government by the parents of Marine Cpl Richard A. Janigian. Cpl Janigian died just ten days shy of completing his tour of duty in Vietnam; he was twenty years old. However, the Memorial is a tribute to all Oregonians lost during the Vietnam War. This Memorial was the first of its kind in the United States and was dedicated by Gov Tom McCall in June 1968.

This Memorial will have a place of honor in the Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park in respect for those lost during the war; and also for all Vietnam Era Veterans who served and sacrificed for their Country, and returned home at times very unappreciated.

Please consider a donation to this honorable project making it a reality to be shared with generations to come.

For more information email: adjutant124@gmail.com .

The Oregonian/OregonLive Article by Wendy Owen

(click here)

Thank you.

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