The UWVC wishes you and your loved ones the warmest New Year. May the coming year be full of love, gratitude, and good fortune.

Best,

The UWVC Family

To see 2011′s events in pictures, please visit: UWVC Remembers 2011

On Tuesday, June 14, the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), announced that the 2011 New York City Veterans Day Parade, will be broadcast live on Friday, November 11, 2011, on FOX5 (WNYW).

The announcement was made at NewsCorp Headquarters in New York City, and was featured on FOX and Friends on FOX News Channel and Good Day New York on FOX5, as part of a special commemoration of National Flag Day and the U.S. Army’s 236th Birthday. The UWVC was joined by members of the U.S. Army, a contingent from Wounded Warrior Project, leaders of the NYC Veterans Community, and firefighters and engines from FDNY.

» Read More!

To see the United War Veterans Council’s Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies’ Program in its entirety, click here.

To see the press release about the UWVC’s “Ground Zero Wreath-Laying Ceremonies,” and other Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies, click here.

For photos of Memorial Day Weekend, visit UWVC’s Flickr account, here.

Update- June 5, 2011

United War Veterans Council

Event Report

2011 National Memorial Day Parade/Memorial Day Weekend

Summary: The UWVC led a New York City contingent to Washington D.C. to raise awareness as a leader of the NYC Veterans/Service community, and to establish a direct relationship with the 9/11 First Responder community (specifically, the Port Authority Police Department [PAPD], the FDNY, and FDNY 9/11 families).

ABOUT THE “UWVC” – The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC) is a 501 (c) 19 nonprofit organization that is chartered by the City of New York to produce the annual Veterans Day Parade and other events honoring service. Today, the UWVC, one of the most respected organizations serving veterans in the country, with membership including veterans of all eras, strives to uphold the words of Abraham Lincoln, who urged all Americans “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” We invite the public to help us achieve this mission, to ensure that we remember the sacrifices of those who served and demonstrate our support for those currently serving and their families.

Memorial Day Weekend Activities

- New York City -

Thursday, May 26

3:00 PM – Wreath-Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero

Honoring those lost on 9/11/2001 and our military who made the ultimate sacrifice since. (First of two ceremonies)

This most befitting ceremony featured a wreath-laying in honor of our military service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. The commemorative event remembered those who perished on September 11, 2001, particularly those first responders (police, firefighters and emergency personnel) who lost their lives. The Ground Zero ceremony was attended by Gold Star Family Members, City Officials, and the leadership of the veterans’ community lead by WW II veterans, Al Maher, Rocco Moretto, and Marge Zwick (Women’s Army Corp),  veterans from the Korean War, Vietnam War, Cold War Era, Iraq/Afghanistan Wars, and Navy representatives in town for Fleet Week, Vietnam Veterans of America, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War, Catholic War Veterans, Jewish War Veterans, the Transit Veterans Assoc, Sons of the Union Veterans Assoc, Veterans Coordinators from NYC College of Technology, Columbia University, and from Chase Bank, a friend to the veterans community,  all placed flowers for those remembered into two wreaths, symbolizing the twin towers. Gold Star Family members each received a flag and certificate denoting this flag was flown over Ground Zero. One of the wreaths was then ceremoniously carried out of Ground Zero to prepare for its travel to the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C.

For TV coverage, click here.

Friday, May 27

- New York City -

12:00 Noon – Memorial Day Ceremony – Vietnam Memorial Plaza – Manhattan

Presented by the Transit Veterans Association (TVA)

This honorable event featured guest speakers, veterans of WWII to present, the TVA Pipe & Drums unit and Color Guard, and patriotic music by the 319th “Statue of Liberty” Army Band.

All were warmly welcomed by TVA President, LTC, US Army (Retired)  Dwight Webster, followed by ‘Old Glory’ by Gold Star Mother,  Ms. Kathryn Cross and ‘Band of Brothers’ by Mr. Brian Delate (Vietnam Veteran) Proclamations followed from Governor Cuomo, presented  by the Director of Veterans Affairs NY State, Mr. William Kraus and Commissioner Terrence Holliday (Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs. Stirring messages from the Honorable NYC Councilman Dr. Mathieu Eugene and Honors to MTA’s War Wounded by NYCT President Thomas F. Prendergast were warmly received by all.

WWII Tuskegee Airman and Recipient of Congressional Gold Medal by the President of the United States, Mr. Dabney Montgomery was the highlight of the ceremony with his style, grace and recollections of serving his country, and being a proud TVA member for many years.

Honors to The Fallen: Wreath Laying’s by Councilman Eugene, and the United War Veterans Council Executive Director, Patrick Gualtieri was followed by ‘Taps.’

Saturday, May 28

- Washington, D.C. -

10:00 AM – Memorial Day Ceremony – The Pentagon Memorial

Our NYC team of veterans, Gold Star Family members, Jr. ROTC Color Guard, and volunteers was joined at the Pentagon Memorial by Colonel Connie Christensen, US Army (Retired) who served on four tours in Vietnam in the Army Nurse Corps, and Lt. Robert Skibar, US Navy (Retired), who also served in Vietnam, and both are former Grand Marshals of the NYC Veterans Day Parade. Dozens of spectators joined in the ceremony.

2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – Wreath Laying’s at all National Monuments

Our team, accompanied by JROTC Cadets conducted wreath laying ceremonies at the Air Force Memorial; Marine Corps (“Iwo Jima”) Memorial; World War II Memorial; Korean War Memorial; Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Nurses Memorial, Women’s Memorial, and at the US Soldiers & Airmen’s’ Home, where we met many retired veterans from all wars/eras.

In remembrance of Bill Gallo, famed Daily News sports cartoonist, who served on Iwo Jima as a Marine, we held a special ceremony. He recently passed away and was a friend to the UWVC and many others. Ms. Jessica Bryan, who is the Founder of “Step into their boots,” selected JROTC member Hakeem Rowe to represent Bill Gallo, who ceremoniously laid a pair of boots with Bill’s name and branch of service at the monument, along with the famed drawing of Bill standing next to the Iwo Jima monument.

The Daily News sent a reporter and photographer to cover this very special event. For more information, click here.

Sunday, May 29

12:00 Noon ~ 5:00 PM – Walter Reed Army Hospital & Mologne House Visit

A select team visited wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Hospital, while a team of others met wounded warriors and their families at the Mologne House, and at the Fisher House. We brought Memorial Day greeting cards, with baskets of gifts from HBO, U-Haul, History, and pre-paid phone cards, donated by Maspeth Bank, were all very well received.

8:00 PM – The National Memorial Day Concert at the US Capitol in Washington DC

We were honored to receive special seating for several of our team from the DOD in recognition of all we do for our veterans and military here in NYC. We sat in the 11^th row, (Veterans Day is on 11-11-11), and enjoyed an evening of pride and patriotism to our great nation.

Monday, May 30 – Memorial Day

Morning – Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony

Several from our team were also honored to receive box seats to this most reverent ceremony. President Barack Obama marked Memorial Day as he laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, and addressed all attending this ceremony.

2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.

To honor the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, and in welcoming all to attend Veterans Day in NYC on 11-11-11, the UWVC lead members of the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority PD, Gold Star Family Members, and veterans from all wars as the special “Never Forget” contingent in the parade!

JROTC members represent the fallen: They learned of their service and sacrifice, their love of country and how they affected those around them.  Their motto is “We will continue the steps they can no longer take”. Some wore the boots and learned the life of those sons of Gold Star Family members on our “Never Forget” float, while others wore boots and honorably represented deceased veterans of the Global War on Terror and WW II.  For more information about “Step into their boots”, go to:

Seen on several networks by millions, we proudly represented the UWVC, our great city and invited one and all to attend the NYC Veterans Day Parade.

Media Coverage/Public Visibility

• FOX TV News – Ground Zero Ceremony – Featured at 5pm- 6pm and 11pm.
• NY Daily News – Front page mention; full page, full-color article in Sunday edition
• National Memorial Day Parade (spectators and participants)
• National Memorial Day Parade broadcast
• Veterans Corner Radio shows aired telling the purpose of the UWVC and our planned journey – potential listenership 2.5 million.
• Distributed thousands of Veterans Day Parade flyers.
• Distributed hundreds of Memorial Day cards with our logo and contact information.
• Coming feature in The Veterans magazine, covering our D.C. ventures.

Relationship development:

• NY Daily News – Re-envigorated relationship with NY Daily News by honoring Bill Gallo
• FDNY – Established positive relationship with FDNY Ceremonial Unit (see attached email from Joe LaPointe, head of FDNY Ceremonial Unit)
• FDNY 9/11 Families – Established direct & extremely positive relationship with 9/11 Families
• PAPD (Port Authority Police Dept) – Established positive relationship with Ceremonial Unit and PR office (see attached email from John Adorno, head of PAPD Ceremonial Unit)
• DOD – Established positive relationship with Admiral Mullen, and re-established with General Chiarelli.
• National Memorial Day Parade – Delivered on commitment to secure NYC 9/11 First Responders.  The parade is coordinated by the American Veterans Center, which has access to senior military and notable veterans.
• City Tech/CUNY – Negotiated participation of contingent of student veterans (they would not have been able to participate due to an administrative error by CUNY)

Overall evaluation:

A successful series of events which carried out our purpose of honoring serve past and present. The UWVC continued to establish its presence as a leader in the NYC veteran’s community, particularly with regards to public events honoring service.  In addition, it continued to strengthen the link between the 2011 Veterans Day Parade and the 10^th Anniversary of 9/11.  Although it is not necessary for UWVC to participate in Memorial Day events in D.C. at this level every year, we should consider maintaining a regular presence at certain high-impact activities.

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2011 Memorial Day Weekend Schedule

Ground Zero to Pentagon
Wreath-Laying Ceremonies
Thursday, May 26, 2011 & Saturday, May 28, 2011
Leaders of the veterans community from New York City and Washington, D.C. will be joined by Gold Star Family members for two special 9-11 Memorial Ceremonies at the World Trade Center site in New York City and the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. Each ceremony will feature a wreath-laying in honor of our military servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since 9/11. The commemorative events will also remember those who perished on September 11, 2001, particularly those first responders (police, firefighters and emergency personnel) who lost their lives. At the Ground Zero ceremony in New York City (Thursday, May 26, at 3:30 PM) Gold Star Family Members, City Officials, and representatives of the veterans community will place flowers in two wreaths, symbolizing the twin towers. One of the wreaths will then travel to the Pentagon Memorial in Washington, D.C. for a similar ceremony on Saturday, May 28 at 10:00 AM.

Program of Wreath-Laying Ceremonies
Presentation of the Colors
Wreathes Presented
Pledge of Allegiance
Welcoming Remarks
Placing of Flowers
Pledge from America’s Youth
Presentation to Gold Star Families
Taps
Retire the Colors

ABOUT THE UWVC – The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC), is a 501 (c) 19 nonprofit organization that is chartered by the City of New York to produce the annual Veterans Day Parade and other events honoring service. Today, the UWVC, one of the most respected organizations serving veterans in the country, with membership including veterans of all eras, strives to uphold the words of Abraham Lincoln, who urged all Americans “to care for him who shall have borne the battle.” We invite the public to help us achieve this mission, to ensure that we remember the sacrifices of those who served and demonstrate our support for those currently serving and their families.

Memorial Day Weekend Activities
- New York City -
Thursday, May 26
3:00 PM – Wreath-Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero
Honoring those lost on and since 9/11/2001 (First of two ceremonies)

Friday, May 27
12:00 Noon – Memorial Day Service
Presented by the Transit Veterans Association (TVA)
Featuring guest speakers, veterans of WWII to present, the TVA Pipe & Drums unit and Color Guard

- Washington, D.C. -
Saturday, May 28
10:00 AM – Wreath Laying Ceremony – Ground Zero
Honoring those lost on and since 9/11/2001 (Second of two ceremonies)

2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – Wreath Layings at National Monuments
Our team, accompanied by JROTC Cadets will lay wreaths at the Air Force Memorial; Marine Corps (“Iwo Jima”) Memorial; World War II Memorial; Korean War Memorial; Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Sunday, May 29
12:00 Noon ~ 5:00 PM – Walter Reed Army Hospital Visit
A select team will visit wounded warriors at the Walter Reed Army Hospital and the Mologne House, and family members at the Fisher House

Monday, May 30
Morning – Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony (Select Representatives)
2:00 PM ~ 4:00 PM – National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C.
To honor the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, the UWVC will lead members of the FDNY, NYPD, PAPD, Gold Star Family Members, and other veterans as a special “Never Forget” contingent in the parade!

For more information or to help spread the event with the event’s flyer, click here.

The ceremonial service will take place at 12 Noon at Saint Peter’s Church (corner of Barclay and Church Street, New York, NY 10041). Please RSVP to 212-693-1476 or unitedwarveterans@gmail.com.

QUICK LINKS:
» Photo Gallery
» Event Program
» State of New York Proclamation
» City of New York Proclamation
» JROTC Proclamation
» Letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
» Media Kit
» VIDEO – About the UWVC’s (Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day version)
» VIDEO – NY Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson’s Greeting to Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veterans looking on as Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day gets underway.

Our March 26 event observing Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day was a huge success. Despite the cold weather, hundreds of Vietnam veterans, veterans of all eras, families and friends came out to honor our heroes and remember the fallen.

The event included volunteers reading the names of New York’s 1,741 servicemembers lost in Vietnam, as well as the 89 fallen New York soldiers since 9/11/2001. Other highlights included recognition of our Gold Star families, and guest speakers including Lieutenant Commander Kim Mitchell, a Vietnamese orphan adopted by a U.S. servicemember,  Command Sergeant Major Sylvia Laughlin of Fort Hamilton,  Michael Rhodes, Director of the Department of Defense’s 50th Anniversary Commission for Vietnam, and National President of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) John Rowan. To see the event’s full program, including schedule and speaker biographies, click here.

Lieutenant Commander Kim Mitchell gets ready to address the crowd at 55 Water Street.

UWVC would like to thank our key partners, including HBO, History, Vietnam Veterans of America, VVA Manhattan Chapter 126, U-Haul, and Samaritan Village Veterans Program, who made Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day possible.

We would also like to thank all of our volunteers in attendance who made the event a huge success with their amazing effort and pride.

Finally, and most importantly, UWVC would like to thank all of our Vietnam Veterans and Gold Star Families, and who deserve our recognition and undying gratitude.

A full report on Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day is coming soon, including personal reflections and many more photos!

Representatives of Veterans organizations pose with their State of New York Proclamations.

More Resources:
» Event Program
» State of New York Proclamation
» City of New York Proclamation
» JROTC Proclamation
» Letter from Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
» Media Kit
» A Volunteer’s Blog!
» UWVC’s Flickr account featuring photos from Saturday’s event!
» More Photos from Saturday’s event. Even more to come!

About The United War Veterans Council (Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day version) now on Youtube!

A Greeting From Sandy Alderson, General Manager of the New York Mets, to All Veterans on Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day

Press coverage:
» Vietnam Veterans Honor Comrades at Memorial

The event will take place at:

USAG Fort Hamilton
Sports & Fitness Center
402 MacArthur Road
Brooklyn, NY 11252

For more information, click here.

This Saturday, March 26, United War Veterans Council will host Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day at 55 Water Street’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza. The event begins at 12 noon; doors open at 11:30 a.m. The event is free for Vietnam Veterans, veterans of all eras, and family members.

» Download the flyer for details.

» Download the media kit.

By subway, take the following: R/W to Whitehall St./South Ferry; 1 to South Ferry; 2/3 to Wall Street; 4/5 to Bowling Green; or J/M/Z to Broad Street.

By bus, take the M15 to Water Street.

Parking: To get to the parking garage, turn onto Old Slip road and travel to South Street. Turn right at South Street, and the parking garage will be on the right.  When leaving the parking garage at the event’s conclusion, have a flyer or the event program with you to show to the attendant and receive a discount. Parking will be approximately $15.00.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————-

To RSVP or to volunteer for this event, or if you have additional questions, please contact us at 212.693.1476, or email us at: vietnamvetsday@unitedwarveterans.org

***

UWVC and Friends:

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you!

My son, photo attached, is in a town called Now Zad in Afghanistan. He’s serving with the 4th Civil Affairs Group attached to the 2nd Marine Division. The photo shows the market for the town. As you can see, there isn’t a whole of there there. Jim asked me to try to rustle up some stuff for the kids. He is looking for hard candy, bubble gum, soccer balls, coloring books, pencils, pens – basically anything that a kid would like to play with.

Any help you could offer would be most gratefully appreciated.

Best,

Jim

To contact Jim directly, email him at jshevlin@fitchgroup.com.

***

We encourage you to support Jim’s son and the efforts of our troops overseas to help bring goodwill and a better life to the local people in Afghanistan!

Mail/drop off address:

Note – if you have larger quantities of items, contact us to discuss arranging pickup: 212.693.1476.

Frank Buckles, in 2008, being honored by members of Congress in Washington, D.C. (Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty Images)

The last surviving American WWI Doughboy, Frank Buckles, has died today at his home in Charles Town, West Virginia. Mr. Buckles was 110.

UWVC had the privilege to honor Mr. Buckles as an honorary Grand Marshal for its 2009 NYC Veterans Day Parade.

Frank Buckles at Arlington National Cemetary, 2007, and in his U.S. Army enlistment photo, 1917. (Mike Theiler/European Pressphoto Agency, left; Buckles Family, right)

To read more about Frank Buckles, click on the links below:
Last Living U.S. Veteran Of World War I Dies (AP)
Frank Buckles, Last World War I Doughboy, Is Dead at 110 (NY Times)
Frank Buckles, last surviving American WWI vet, dies at age 110 (NY Daily New)

PREPARATIONS

Valentine’s Day weekend (2/12-2/14), United War Veterans Council of New York (“UWVC”) supporters and volunteers, traveled to DC to visit with our wounded warriors. The message and mission, simply stated, is to bring greetings, well wishes, cheer, good will and many ‘goodies’ to those who served and sacrificed. This is UWVC’s 3^rd annual Goodwill Valentine’s Caravan to DC and their entourage continues to grow and grow. The days and weeks leading up to the departure include a flurry of activity from securing transport (vans), assigning drivers, booking accommodations, planning an itinerary to visit as many places and people as possible and a host of related issues.  Predating this is an extended outreach far and wide to secure ‘gifts’ and ‘giveaways’ to bring to DC and present to our service members. Individuals, volunteers, organizations, veterans, corporations, etc. all provided an array of diverse gifts that would be transported to DC by UWVC staffer, Clyde Hankerson, via a U-Haul van (with our thanks).

UWVC so appreciates the support from individuals and organizations such as U-Haul, HBO, NBC, History, Samaritan Village and the Richard H. Hungerford School. Items donated included tee shirts, hats, DVDs, toiletries, candy, cookies, lollipops, apparel, music, books, stationery, teddy bears, bicycles, and a host of other items. Among the most notable contributions were the cards – thousands and thousands of cards were given to UWVC that included: “Thank You For Serving”, “Get Well”, “Happy Valentine’s Day” and even carryover “Season’s Greetings’. There were many handmade cards by elementary and middle-school students with heartfelt messages of hope, love, appreciation. Members of the Municipal Bond Women’s Club of New York proudly  created uniquely decorative cards with special messages. United Healthcare provided  assorted cards made by their employees who took such pride and care in this endeavor. Additionally, Kathryn T. Cross, a gifted artist and Gold Star Mother, created her own batch of decorative cards, featuring her beautiful artwork. These cards and gifts were delivered to the recovering troops and service members at many locations, including the Soldier’s and Airmen’s National Home, Walter Reed Army Medical Center’s Mologne House and Fisher House, Andrews Air Force Base, Operation HomeFront’s housing, Washington D.C.’s Veterans Affairs Hospital, Fort Myer, and Walter Reed.

When thinking about the preparations for the Goodwill Caravan, Pat Gualtieri, UWVC Executive Director, fondly recalled how the bicycles came to be on the trip:

“My brother, a former Army Medic, is a teacher at a children’s special needs school on Staten Island – The Richard H. Hungerford School. One program he administers is giving these children better body motor  mechanisms, including bicycle building. Basically, these bikes arrive at the school in all conditions, needing repairs and adjustments. The kids then are responsible for cleaning and repairing the bikes. The program’s end results have the students receive the bikes (along with special training and safety precautions). Truly, it is a great program.

But one day, my brother mentions our (UWVC) Valentine’s Day activities for our wounded veterans to some of the children. Fourteen students immediately ask if it would be possible to give the bikes they have worked so hard on to a soldier’s son or daughter. Absolutely! We make the arrangements and delivered these bikes to those families at West Points Transition home, The Fisher House at the Walter Reeds Army Hospital, and to  Operation Home Front. The result was absolute euphoria for the soldiers’ children because they LOVED the bikes.”

Members of the Municipal Bond Women's Club making Valentine's Day Cards to be delivered to our wounded warriors.

The cover of Kathryn T. Cross' card.

WEST POINT

Prior to its visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, UWVC sent personnel, bikes and other gifts to the Soldier and Family Assistance Center (SFAC) and Warrior Transition Unit (WTU) at West Point. UWVC then met with wounded veterans and the Center’s volunteers, presenting them with the homemade cards.

One of UWVC’s members on the trip to SFAC and WTU was Matthew Bryan. Matthew sees this visit as “a true necessity that should be repeated for years to come.”

To read about Matt’s experience, click here.

To view the letter submitted to UWVC from the Director of Family and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation at West Point’s SFAC and WTU, click here.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 13

With a full itinerary, Pat Gualtieri, UWVC Executive Director, divided the caravan into smaller groups to cover more sites and visit more people. Despite all the hard work and coordination involved, Pat calls this “a true labor of love to remember our service members.” The team that went to the Soldier’s and Airmen’s National Home (a retire-ment home dedicated to individuals who served at least 20 years in the military) were warmly welcomed by military retirees who shared an array of memories and stories. UWVC, in turn, provided those veterans with gifts, homemade cards, apparel, 2010 NYC Veterans Day newspapers, and other memorabilia. In addition to this gathering, a surprise encounter occurred between a UWVC member, Al Maher (WWII vet), and a former soldier of the same unit! This was the first time these two veterans had seen each other in over forty years – giving way to joyful tears!

Concurrently, a team led by UWVC Director of Volunteers, Marleen “Molly” Levi, set up tables at the Mologne House, greeting wounded warriors, family members and friends. “It’s a day of pure, unconditional love, appreciation and remembrance,” as Molly calls it.

UWVC is joined by a group of U-Haul employees who bring cards and ‘goodies’ too, as they collectively spread the festive spirit to all. UWVC noted that tee shirts, hats, DVDs, toiletries and comic books were a big hit as were the roomy bags in which to hold items. A special exchange occurred when a coveted jacket donated by Al Maher, WWII vet, was a perfect fit for a wounded warrior who later met Al personally and shared stories. Wounded warriors also had the opportunity to meet and pose with three of the New Jersey Devils Dancers accompanying UWVC on this trip. As a three year veteran of this trip, Molly is always amazed and emotionally moved at the outpour of “appreciation from the service members and their families… this embodies the very essence of why we do what we do, and it continues to spur us on to do even more.” Another high note of the day was the NYC MTA’s Transit Veterans Association’s (“TVA”) Pipe & Drum performance and Color Guard presentation at the Mologne House – enjoyed by all!

To read more about Molly’s reflection, click here.

New Jersey Devils Dancers with a table full of goodies at The Mologne House.

While at the Mologne House, some UWVC members visited the center’s Fisher House, a set of homes available for a soldier’s family to stay during recovery periods. While there, UWVC donated two bicycles on behalf of students from the Richard H. Hungerford School of Staten Island, New York.

In addition to the team members at Walter Reed; UWVC sent members to Andrews Air Force Base to host events and activities similar to those at the Mologne House. Servicemen and women, and their families, were greeted by the group, including recording artist amberRose Marie. Individuals took pictures with amberRose and received copies of her autographed DVDs. But in the recording musician’s eyes her efforts were the least she could do for our wounded warriors because “many of us have no idea as to the extent of sacrifice our service members and their families make on a constant basis to provide us with our freedom.” amberRose Marie’s manager and retired U.S. Army veteran, Catherine Laporte, echoed her client’s words and took the reflections a step further while recalling her own experiences: “I realized I shared the experience of recovering at Walter Reed, and I remember I was happiest when these strangers—these volunteers—came to my room to simply say thank you and spend time with me. And on this trip, the roles were reversed. I sat with our wounded heroes. I laughed with them, smiled with them, shared stories with them, and in some cases, cried with them. Yet the most amazing experience to me was that every single wounded warrior shared a common desire of recovering, returning to duty, and defending the freedoms of our beloved nation.”

To read amberRose’s full reflection, click here.

To read Catherine Laporte’s full reflection, click here.

Gold Star Mother Kathryn T. Cross and Dwight Webster pose with wounded warriors.

One noteworthy anecdote from Andrews Air Force Base included a gentleman from Long Island, New York, visiting a military-family member. Thinking the UWVC was there for donations, he asked “how much is an appropriate donation?” All at once, though, members of the group explained to him that the UWVC was there strictly for moral support and encouragement. This realization brought a smile to the man’s face. As Jeff Swansen of the UWVC stated, “Andrews was a great start to a great day!”

To read Jeff’s full reflection, click here.

Next stop was Operation HomeFront that provides housing for soldiers and their families. At OH’s housing complex, the UWVC team members spent time conversing with the families, giving them cards and gifts. Additional bicycles from the Hungerford School and teddy bears were presented to the families’ children, and amberRose Marie made sure there were no dry eyes in the room with a rendition of “G-d Bless America.”

Another team from UWVC performed wreath-laying ceremonies at the National Monuments representing World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and the Nurses’ Memorial, to honor women in service. Robert Skibar, an avid UWVC supporter present at the ceremony, described this as a “solemn event that deserves our respect.”

To read Robert’s detailed reflection about the wreath-laying ceremony, click here.

Concluding Sunday’s activities, Luigi Masu, President of Vietnam Veterans America Chapter 72 of Brooklyn, N.Y., presented a $1,000 donation from his chapter for the Fisher House. Luigi claims that these types of donations are necessary for the greater good of our wounded heroes and are so very much needed and appreciated.

To see the Fisher House’s written response to Luigi Masu and Chapter 72, click the following link: 2011ValentinesDay-FisherHouse-ThankYou-LM-2011-03-07

With the myriad of events of the day embraced by all, the entire entourage enjoyed a relaxed dinner at Chevy’s, in Alexandria, VA., near their Day’s Inn accommodations. In a surprise, tender moment, Molly, Kelly, Jessica, Alyse, Alisha, and Victoria presented Valentine’s cards to their own UWVC entourage of veterans including Al, Bob, Catherine, Clyde, Don, Dwight, James, Jeff, Luigi, Malik, Pat, Richard and Steve.

Luigi Masu, President of V.V.A. Chapter 72 Brooklyn, presents a check for the Fisher House.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14

The UWVC followed its busy Sunday with an equally busy Monday. The day’s activities started with a visit to Washington, D.C.’s Veterans Affairs Medical Center’s Community Living Center (CLC). The CLC houses and treats wounded war veterans, ranging from World War II to present day conflicts. UWVC members met with recovering veterans upon entering CLC’s lobby and were also permitted door-to-door visits to visit those less mobile veterans. This allowed for more personal contact between the UWVC members and our veterans. The veterans also received handmade cards and other gifts.

Next, UWVC visited Fort Myer, a joint base located directly behind Arlington National Cemetery, to meet up with the residential servicemen and women. Fort Myer’s conducts the funerals and Honor Guard ceremonies for our fallen heroes.

Members from UWVC and U-Haul at Washington, D.C.'s V.A. Hospital.

Following the CLC visit, UWVC visited Fort Myer, a joint base located directly behind Arlington National Cemetary, to meet up with the residential servicemen and women. Fort Myer’s residential servicemen and women conduct the funerals and Honor Guard ceremonies for our fallen heroes.

To read additional information about UWVC’s trip to Fort Myer, click here.

To conclude the weekend, the UWVC sent a team to visit Walter Reed Army Hospital. Among those were amberRose Marie, Catherine, Alyse, Alisha, Victoria (three NJ Devils dancers), Gold Star Mom, Kathryn T. Cross, Molly, Jessica, Jean, and Dwight Webster (U.S. Army, Col. Ret.). Dwight had the special opportunity to visit a fellow veteran, co-worker, and friend who is currently recovering at WRAMC from combat-inflicted wounds. Dwight claims that he and his Transit Veterans Association members felt “enlightened and enriched…and extremely grateful” for the experience. Kathryn Cross also had an opportunity to visit with certain patients known full well by her.

To read Dwight’s full reflection, click here.

SUMMARY

The past few days have been a whirlwind of activity, visiting people and places, remembering our nation’s veterans and spreading goodwill – and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Simply put, according to Pat Gualtieri, “It’s what we do. Our veterans have earned these levels of support and respect because of what they do.” Kelly Bryan, UWVC’s Sponsorship Chair, believes this experience was “an honor” to be a part of, but that “at the end of the day, it seems that the service members actually give the “gifts” to us.” Echoing Kelly’s thoughts is Don Buzney, as he states that the experience was “heart wrenching” and “inspirational” as the true elements of “patriotism and ‘espirit de corps’” were on display. The weekend was filled with humbling experiences, bittersweet moments, fun, laughter, but above all, goodwill, remembrance, pride and patriotism.

REFLECTIONS

• Jessica Bryan
• Kelly Bryan
• Matthew Bryan
• Don Buzney
• Kathryn T. Cross
• Catherine Laporte
• Marleen “Molly” Levi
• amberRose Marie
• Robert Skibar
• Jeffrey Swansen
• Dwight Webster