Spring 2014, Volume 1 - New Jersey Vietnam Veterans` Memorial

T0 REMEMBER... T0 HEAL...
T0 HONOR...
NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014
GREETINGS FROM THE DIRECTOR
Dear Friend,
Each year, thousands of visitors of all ages visit the New Jersey Vietnam
Veterans’ Memorial Foundation’s (NJVVMF) Vietnam Era Museum &
Educational Center and Memorial. It’s an honor to manage the operations
and activities at the NJVVMF and to get to know people like you, who make
our work possible.
Like our Board of Trustees and volunteer tour guides, I often draw from my
own personal experiences as a Vietnam Veteran to engage with visitors. While
some Veterans did not receive a warm homecoming, today we are greeted
with respect and appreciation. It’s a heartwarming feeling. My fellow Veterans
depend on the Foundation to preserve their legacies for future generations
and I am honored to lead this charge.
We have launched this monthly e-newsletter to keep you informed of our
activities so you can join us for upcoming events and share the news with
friends. With your help, we will preserve the legacy and continue to honor
those who served as well as our active duty servicemen and women.
Thank you for your continued support and please contact me at
blinderman@njvvmf.org with any questions.
Best regards,
Bill Linderman
Executive Director
BOARD OF TRUSTEES UPDATES
Without the support and dedication of our Board of Trustees, the NJVVMF’s
work could not be possible. This past December, we announced a new slate
of officers. View our full list of Board of Trustee members.
CLARK W. MARTIN
YARDLEY, PA
CHAIRMAN
JIM PETILLO
BRIELLE, NJ
VICE PRESIDENT
SUPPORT OUR WORK BY
CHECKING LINE 61 ON YOUR
NEW JERSEY TAX FORM
AND MAKE A CONTRIBUTION
TO THE NEW JERSEY
VIETNAM VETERANS’
MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK AND
TWITTER OR VISIT
WWW.NJVVMF.ORG DAILY FOR
THE NAMES AND BIOS OF THE
NEW JERSEYANS LOST EACH DAY
DURING THE VIETNAM WAR
JACK TULLY
GORDON S. PINGICER
SEA GIRT, NJ
SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS, NJ
SECRETARY
TREASURER
1 Memorial Lane (Garden State Parkway Exit 116) • Holmdel, NJ 07733 • 732.335.0033 • WWW.NJVVMF.ORG
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NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014
OPERATION HUEY TAKES FLIGHT
A group of Veteran volunteers, led by Vietnam Veterans and volunteers, Ken Gurbisz
and Carl Burns, are restoring a classic helicopter from the Vietnam Era. Dubbed,
Operation Huey Restoration, the Veterans began their task in spring 2013 with the goal
of having the 1964 Bell UH-1D Huey Helicopter ready for display at the Vietnam Era
Museum & Educational Center on May 7, 2014, the Huey’s 50th birthday and New
Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day.
To date, the team has logged over 3,000 hours of work, shared countless memories,
and in doing so, continue to bridge the gaps of generations. About half the volunteers
are retired Vietnam Veterans, but some who joined recently are from a new generation
of Veterans looking to connect with the past, give back and heal. “It started out as
serious business, and it still is, but now you watch people come together and there is a
social aspect,” said Gurbisz, a 28 year resident of Eatontown, originally from Bayonne.
“Restoring the “Bird” has been more than just a bonding experience for our crew of
volunteers. It’s been an all-around good feeling. We look forward to celebrating the
helicopter’s arrival with all who served.” said Carl Burns, Co-Chair, Operation Huey
Restoration, from Manalapan, NJ.
This Huey won't fly again. Not literally anyway. It will come to life on Wednesday, May 7
when it “lands” at the center of the newly constructed Huey Plaza at the entrance to the
Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center where our Vietnam Veteran tour guides will
share their stories as part of our guided tour program.
OPERATION HUEY SUPPORTERS
The Foundation would like to thank the many individuals and companies who have
supported the project with their donations of time, services and financial contributions.
Once the Huey Plaza construction is completed, the helicopter will be transported from
Wall, NJ to the Museum for installation.
This project would not have been possible without the support and guidance of Bob
Briant, Jr., President of the New Jersey Utility & Transportation Contractors Association.
In honor of his late father Bob Briant, Sr., Bob, Jr. organized the donation of materials
and labor for the Plaza, currently an estimated total of $175,000. The Briant family has
supported veterans’ organizations and causes across the NY/NJ region for generations,
and Bob Briant, Sr. will forever be honored at the Huey Plaza.
A special salute to the following businesses for donating time, materials and labor to
make the Huey Plaza a reality: UTCA New Jersey, Solutions Architecture, HC
Constructors, Heavy and General Laborers Local 472, J. Fletcher Creamer, Aspen
Landscaping and Contracting, IEW Construction Group, Forest Electric,
EP Henry Corporation, Berto Construction and W.J. Casey Rigging.
Hornets 116th AHC in Formation
(Photo Credit: Santos Sal Garcia)
Watch our volunteers’ recent
appearance on NJTV
Visit our blog with news of some
very special guests who will be
joining us at the unveiling
HOW YOU CAN HELP
While we are making excellent
progress, we still need your
support. Once the Huey Plaza is
completed, the Foundation will
embark on a permanent exhibit
about our Huey, its history and
its legacy. This exhibit will
include artifacts, documents and
photographs that help tell our
Huey’s story. We are also working
with DeVry University to create a
unique and engaging simulation
experience.
MAKE A DONATION NOW
1 Memorial Lane (Garden State Parkway Exit 116) • Holmdel, NJ 07733 • 732.335.0033 • WWW.NJVVMF.ORG
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NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014
EDUCATION UPDATES
Despite the snow and slush, the winter has been busy. From tours to scholarships
to planning for an exciting spring of events and programs we are looking forward
to encouraging both new and returning visitors to experience this New Jersey
treasure.
TOURS
Our 2014 field trip season kicked off in February, and our volunteer Vietnam Veteran
Tour Guides are hard at work, sharing their stories and the importance of our unique
Memorial with students. Our tours offer students unique opportunities to hear
first-hand accounts and perspectives about the Vietnam Era.
Learn more about our field trips.
SCHOLARSHIPS
February also marks the start of our 2013-2014 scholarship season. Each year,
the Foundation awards $2,500 to two seniors graduating from a New Jersey high
school . To assist students in writing their essays, the Foundation offers free,
veteran-led guided tours of the Memorial during Scholarship Season. Tours
generally last about an hour and provide an opportunity to interact with our
Vietnam Veteran Tour Guides. Applications are due in the office by 5 p.m. on
Friday, April 11, 2014.
Get more information on how to apply for a scholarship.
"IN THE ERA IN WHICH WE
LIVE, THE HISTORY OF OUR
COUNTRY AND OUR WORLD
MUST BE TAUGHT TO OUR
STUDENTS IN A WAY IN WHICH
THEY CAN CONNECT AND FIND
RELEVANCE IN THE LESSONS. I
HOPE YOU KNOW THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE HISTORY
AND LIFE-LESSONS YOU‘VE
GIVEN MY STUDENTS.”
TEACHER,
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP
HIGH SCHOOL
HELP US TEACH THEM FUND
Another exciting program is our Help Us Teach Them Fund. Created in 2013, the
Fund will ensure that New Jersey’s educators can continue to enrich their
curriculum with the unique and important historical resources that our class trips
provide. The current economic climate has cut extracurricular budgets across the
state. In recent years, class trips are increasingly absent from classroom
curriculum. The Fund provides grants to educators to cover admission fees and
transportation costs for class trips to our Museum and Memorial. Please note that
we are currently fundraising for this project and grants are not available this year.
You can support this work by making a donation to the Help Us Teach Them Fund.
Thank you for supporting the education of our region's students. Individual and
corporate donations are much appreciated.
Learn more about this program.
1 Memorial Lane (Garden State Parkway Exit 116) • Holmdel, NJ 07733 • 732.335.0033 • WWW.NJVVMF.ORG
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NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 1 • MARCH 2014
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR MARCH - MAY 2014
SCHOLARSHIP TOURS
Saturday, March 15, 22, 29 and April 5 • 11:00 a.m. • Free Admission
The Foundation awards two $2,500 scholarships to New Jersey high school seniors each
year. In addition to the scholarship application and proof of acceptance to a college or
trade school, all applicants must submit an essay about his/her visit to the New Jersey
Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. To assist students in writing their essays, the Foundation
offers free, Vietnam Veteran led guided tours of the Memorial. These tours are also
available to the general public who would like to learn more about the Memorial.
Tours are approximately one hour. Tour groups meet in the Museum lobby.
The deadline for the application and essay submission is 5:00 p.m. on Friday,
April 11, 2014.
Learn more about our scholarship program and download the application form.
LIVING HISTORY DAY AT BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY
Saturday, April 5 • 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. • Battleship Admission Applies
Join our Veterans at the Battleship New Jersey’s Vietnam Living History Day. Stop by
the Battleship (Camden Waterfront) to hear Vietnam Veterans from across the state
share their memories.
Learn more.
LECTURE: JACK “DOC” MANICK, MEMORIES OF A COMBAT MEDIC IN VIETNAM
Saturday, April 12 • 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. • Regular Admission Applies
An author lecture by Jack "Doc" Manick, entitled "Memories of a Combat Medic in
VIetnam," based on his books, Incoming (2010) and Incoming...The Men of the 70th.
This program will be held at the Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center.
To learn more about Manick's story watch his interview with the Woodbridge
Veterans' Project.
THE AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS OF NEW JERSEY FAMILY PICNIC & FUN DAY
Sunday, April 27 • 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Admission: Adults $15, Children $10, Uniformed Active Duty Free of Charge
Please join us at the George Vanderveer American Legion Post 129 (2025 Church
Road, Toms River) for a fun-filled day including a BBQ, games and activities for the
family and music performed by the Lifters and the Goldenseal Band. Tickets can be
purchased at the event.. For more information call 732-232-3286.
Learn more.
REMEMBRANCE DAY AND HUEY PLAZA DEDICATION CEREMONY
Wednesday, May 7 • 11:00 a.m. • Free Admission
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day Ceremony and Dedication of
our Huey Plaza. Plan to join us for a celebration of our newest display, a 1964
Huey Helicopter that served two tours in Vietnam.
Learn more.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
Monday, May 26 • 11:00 a.m. • Free Admission
Join us for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Our Keynote speaker is Major
General (Ret ’d) and Chairman, Clark Martin. The ceremony will also include the
presentation of two scholarships to New Jersey high school seniors and the
induction of four Vietnam Veterans into the “In Memory” Program.
Learn more.
1 Memorial Lane (Garden State Parkway Exit 116) • Holmdel, NJ 07733 • 732.335.0033 • WWW.NJVVMF.ORG
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