For Immediate Release – June 12, 2024
Vietnam War Memorial Fund
Contact: Steve Bates, President
Email: vietnamwarmem@aol.com
Office: 503-663-6271
The Vietnam War Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the start of construction of Phase 1 of the Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds.
On June 3rd, Andersen Construction Company of Oregon mobilized to Willson Park within the Oregon State Capitol Parks. Andersen’s employees have been preparing the site for construction over the past two weeks. Willson Park will be partially closed from now until late October.
VWMF President, Steve Bates stated, “This is exciting! We have been working for this day for seven years and it is finally coming to a reality. Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and organizations such as the Siletz Tribal Charitable Contribution Fund and the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, we are close to fully funding Phase 1 construction.”
The Vietnam War Memorial Fund has raised in excess of 3 million dollars to date. The budget for Phase 1 is $3,639,929. Anticipated revenues bring the budget shortfall to $384,954. Steve Bates advised: “The Board of Directors decided to move forward with construction rather than wait as construction costs continue to soar. The budget shortfall is minimal in comparison to the overall cost. We have financing available to cover the budget shortfall, but we hope to raise the needed funds and avoid going into debt. We are asking everyone to consider making a donation. In either case Phase 1 is scheduled for completion in late October.”
Phase 1 of the memorial will include a series of columns that will contain 790 names of Oregonians who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Each name will be listed by the community where they resided. A sculpture entitled “A Soldier’s Return” by Libby Carruth of Portland will also be part of Phase 1 in addition to a gathering space.
Donations can be made by credit card the VWMF website at https://ocvvm.com/
Checks can be mailed to Vietnam War Memorial Fund – P O Box 1448 – Boring, Oregon 97009