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Have not seen the memorial but hope that it includes all services and not just the army.
Dear Michael,
HR 4298, The Vietnam Crewmember Memorial Act, will be heard on 8 September 2016 by the House of RepresentativesMilitary Personnel Subcommittee. The hearing will be held in Room 2118 of the Rayburn House Office Building. VHPA President John Shafer has directed VHPA Legacy Committee Chairman Bob Hesselbein to speak on behalf of the VHPA. This hearing, if successful, will move HR 4298 to a hearing by the Housed Armed Services Committee (HASC), probably the most important committee in the House. The HASC will decide if the bill is to be heard and voted upon by the House.
Both a written and spoken statement will be provided to the committee, and a press release will be posted in advance of the hearing (note: the intensity of the current election cycle pretty much guarantees our hearing will not attract media interest). The Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) staff will also testify at the hearing. We expect the ANC staff to repeat their message that the cemetery has no room for memorials, only graves.
Your presence is invaluable. The attendance of VHPA and other Vietnam Veterans will add impact to the message and likely influence the committee’s decision. Please consider attending this hearing if you are able. The Rayburn House Office Building is located southwest of the U.S. Capitol, bounded by Independence Ave., South Capitol St., First St., and C St., S.W. The Capitol South Metro Station is one block from Rayburn House. Security screening will delay entry, so arrive early. Bob Hesselbein requests attendees to meet outside Room 2118 at 3:00 PM.
We will not forget our brothers-in-arms, and we encourage you to attend this hearing!
A BILL
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Vietnam Helicopter Crew Memorial Act”.
SEC. 2. PLACEMENT OF MEMORIAL HONORING HELICOPTER PILOTS DURING THE VIETNAM WAR.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to the requirements of section (c), the Secretary of the Army shall place in Arlington National Cemetery a memorial honoring helicopter pilots and crew members who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era.
(b) DESIGN.—The memorial placed under subsection (a) shall measure 4 feet in height, 5 feet in width, and 1 foot in depth, and shall be based on a design approved by the Secretary of the Army and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.
(c) AGREEMENT FOR UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE.—The Secretary of the Army may only place a memorial under subsection (a) if the Secretary enters into an agreement with the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association under which the Association agrees to pay all costs necessary to construct, install, and maintain the memorial, and to such other provisions as the Secretary may require.
(d) APPROVAL OF SITE.—The Secretary of the Army shall approve an appropriate site within Arlington National Cemetery for the memorial under subsection (a) to be placed.
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