PRESS RELEASE BY OPERATION WELCOME HOME & AZ WALL PROJECT
Gilbert, Ariz., (March 19, 2016) – Operation Welcome Home will hold a Ground Blessing and Ceremonial Ground Breaking from 10:00 - 11:30 AM for Welcome Home Veterans Park on the property where the future park will be built, 85 E. Civic Center Drive.
Dave Munsey will emcee the dignitaries, veterans’ organizations, volunteers, donors and the community who will gather from across the state to participate in this moving ceremony, marking a pivotal milestone in the non-profit’s immense project. The expected 500 plus attendees will experience the inspiring words from keynote speakers: Vietnam Veteran and former County Attorney Rick Romley, County Attorney Bill Montgomery, KFYI Radio personality, Mike Broomhead and Mayor of the Town of Gilbert John Lewis.
The ceremony will include the posting of the colors by Chandler ROTC, National Anthem by The Duttons, and the 108th Army Band, Arizona Army National Guard. The ground blessing will be conducted by the Gila River Indian Community, Tony McDaniel. The blessing will be a beautiful and sacred ceremony. Also featured at the event will be a “Living Wall,” comprised of 60 volunteers of varying backgrounds who will stand as a symbolic representation of the Vietnam Memorial Wall which will anchor the park.
“This ceremony marks an important time for Welcome Home Veterans Park. This is when the dream so many of us have shared begins to take physical shape,” stated Lisa Rigler the chair of AZ Wall Project. “This property is more than dirt; it has a heartbeat. Just like the Vietnam Wall is more than a wall, it has a soul – because of the 58,307 individuals it represents.”
The community is encouraged to attend the ceremony and can RSVP for a reserved seat, to Operation Welcome Home AZ by emailing info@owhaz.org.
Welcome Home Veterans Park
Operation Welcome Home is a part of the 50th Commemorative Partnership of the Vietnam War through the Department of Defense. To honor this partnership, their organization is building a 7.7 acre park dedicated to healing, educating and inspiring veterans and the community. The park will be anchored by an 80 percent scale of the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC and future phases will include an education and resource center.
About Operation Welcome Home AZ
Operation Welcome Home AZ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit whose vision is to “Establish traditions of respect, honor, and appreciation for the personal sacrifices of our veterans and their families”.
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