American Veterans Center
Encyclopedia
The American Veterans Center is a non-profit Veteran
s organization and division of the American Studies Center. The mission of the American Veterans Center is to "preserve and promote the legacy of America’s servicemen and women from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom." The American Studies Center has funded numerous events and projects at the American Veterans Center such as; the National Memorial Day
Parade, the Annual Veterans Day
weekend conference and awards banquet, a quarterly publication(American Valor Quarterly), two different hour long radio programs(Veterans Chronicles and Proudly We Hail), Wounded Warrior dinners and receptions for veterans recovering at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals, The Andrew J. Goodpaster Lecture, and the conducting of oral history interviews of veterans from all conflicts and archiving their self-published books and journals, photographs, maps, and supplies.
Since the Combination of the two committees in 2006 the American Veterans Center has seen significant growth and has produced and sponsored numerous events and panels including the 2008 erection of a baseball field on Guam
in honor of the fallen WWII hero and former MLB baseball player Jimmy Trimble.
The National Memorial Day Parade is held annually in Washington DC, and has been a popular destination for thousands of Americans to come together and honor the men and women who have served in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has sought to educate the public about the meaning of this hallowed day.
For nearly 70 years, Washington, DC was without a parade on Memorial day
. This despite the fact that parades on Memorial Day
have been a tradition in towns across America for well over a century. In 2005, the American Veterans Center created the National Memorial Day Parade. This has quickly become an event for the entire country and a major parade, which draws mainstream media attention and Hollywood stars to participate in honoring those who have served, and died in American Military Service. The National Memorial Day Parade has become an event in which Americans of all ages and generations can participate. In only its second year, the parade drew over 250,000 spectators and significant national media attention. The parade includes nearly 200 elements, including marching bands, active duty and retired military units, youth groups, parade floats, as well as hundreds of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Each year the parade highlights a branch of the Armed Services. The 2009 parade will highlight the Navy and will feature Ernest Borgnine, Lee Greenwood and Gary Sinise as Honorary Marshals.
Distinguished Participants include:
Since 1998 the World War II Veterans Committee, and now the American Veterans Center, has brought together some of America’s most distinguished veterans for an annual conference held over Veterans Day
weekend, at which they share their experiences with an audience of several hundred high school and college students, as well as fellow veterans and members of the public.
The conference has been televised live on C-Span and covered by the national media. In addition, the conference features wreath-laying ceremonies at Washington D.C. war memorials, private receptions for attendees with the veterans, and the annual awards banquet which honors the valor of American veterans From World War II, Korea, and Vietnam all the way to Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Veterans Center’s mission with the annual conference is to present American's with educational opportunities to learn, first-hand, from some of America's greatest heroes.
Veteran
A veteran is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field; " A veteran of ..."...
s organization and division of the American Studies Center. The mission of the American Veterans Center is to "preserve and promote the legacy of America’s servicemen and women from World War II through Operation Iraqi Freedom." The American Studies Center has funded numerous events and projects at the American Veterans Center such as; the National Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
Parade, the Annual Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
weekend conference and awards banquet, a quarterly publication(American Valor Quarterly), two different hour long radio programs(Veterans Chronicles and Proudly We Hail), Wounded Warrior dinners and receptions for veterans recovering at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospitals, The Andrew J. Goodpaster Lecture, and the conducting of oral history interviews of veterans from all conflicts and archiving their self-published books and journals, photographs, maps, and supplies.
History
The American Veterans Center is an outgrowth of the World War II Veterans Committee which itself grew out of World War II Chronicles, a weekly radio series co-produced by Radio America(another project of the American Studies Center) and the national Archives. The WWII Veterans Committee was founded in 1996 and was responsible for several activities and projects. The Committee’s motto was "From the Greatest Generation to the Latest Generation", and most of their activities focused on educating America's youth about the legacy of the WWII generation. In 2005 the National Vietnam Veterans Committee was formed to pursue a parallel education mission for America's Vietnam veterans, and in 2006 both organizations were combined under the umbrella of the American Veterans Center, with the mission of honoring the service of all America's Veterans "From World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom," as well as active duty personnel.Since the Combination of the two committees in 2006 the American Veterans Center has seen significant growth and has produced and sponsored numerous events and panels including the 2008 erection of a baseball field on Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
in honor of the fallen WWII hero and former MLB baseball player Jimmy Trimble.
- American Veterans Conference- Annually on Veterans Day Weekend in Washington D.C.
- National Memorial Day Parade- The Nation's largest Memorial Day Parade every year on Memorial Day in Washington D.C.
- American Valor Quarterly- A quarterly publication produced by the American Veterans Center with stories written by distinguished veterans and military historians.
- Veterans Chronicles with Gene Pell"-A weekly radio program produced and syndicated by Radio America airing live from 11:00 pm – 12:00 am ET on Sunday
- Proudly We Hail-A weekly radio program syndicated by Radio America airing live from 12:00 am – 1:00 am ET on Monday
- Andrew J. Goodpaster Lecture and Prize- Annual Lecture in Washington D.C. honoring a Scholarly Veteran who has distinguished themselves on and off the battlefield.
- Wounded Warrior dinners and receptions- Held in Washington D.C. and focused at honoring the veterans recovering at Walter Reed and Bethesda Naval Hospital.
National Memorial Day Parade
The National Memorial Day Parade is held annually in Washington DC, and has been a popular destination for thousands of Americans to come together and honor the men and women who have served in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and has sought to educate the public about the meaning of this hallowed day.
For nearly 70 years, Washington, DC was without a parade on Memorial day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
. This despite the fact that parades on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
have been a tradition in towns across America for well over a century. In 2005, the American Veterans Center created the National Memorial Day Parade. This has quickly become an event for the entire country and a major parade, which draws mainstream media attention and Hollywood stars to participate in honoring those who have served, and died in American Military Service. The National Memorial Day Parade has become an event in which Americans of all ages and generations can participate. In only its second year, the parade drew over 250,000 spectators and significant national media attention. The parade includes nearly 200 elements, including marching bands, active duty and retired military units, youth groups, parade floats, as well as hundreds of veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Each year the parade highlights a branch of the Armed Services. The 2009 parade will highlight the Navy and will feature Ernest Borgnine, Lee Greenwood and Gary Sinise as Honorary Marshals.
Distinguished Participants include:
- Pat BoonePat BooneCharles Eugene "Pat" Boone is an American singer, actor and writer who has been a successful pop singer in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s. He covered black artists' songs and sold more copies than his black counterparts...
- Singer- Honorary Marshall - Rita CosbyRita CosbyRita Cosby is a television news anchor and correspondent, radio host, and best selling author. She is currently a Special Correspondent for the CBS syndicated program Inside Edition, specializing in interviewing newsmakers and political figures...
- Event co-host - James McEachinJames McEachinJames McEachin is an American actor, award-winning author, and known for his many character roles such as portraying police Lieutenant Brock in several Perry Mason television movies.-Military career:...
-Actor and decorated veteran-Honorary Marshall - Bob FellerBob FellerOn December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
-MLB Hall of Famer and veteran-Honored Guest - Gary SiniseGary SiniseGary Alan Sinise is an American actor, film director and musician. During his career, Sinise has won various awards including an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award. In 1992, Sinise directed, and played the role of George Milton in the successful film adaptation of...
-Actor-Honorary Marshall - Mickey RooneyMickey RooneyMickey Rooney is an American film actor and entertainer whose film, television, and stage appearances span nearly his entire lifetime. He has won multiple awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Golden Globe and an Emmy Award...
-Actor and Veteran-Honorary Marshall - Joe MantegnaJoe MantegnaJoseph Anthony "Joe" Mantegna, Jr. is an American actor, producer, writer,director, and voice actor. He is best known for his roles in box office hits such as Three Amigos , The Godfather Part III , Forget Paris , and Up Close & Personal...
-Actor-Honorary Marshall - Miss AmericaMiss AmericaThe Miss America pageant is a long-standing competition which awards scholarships to young women from the 50 states plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
-Pageant Queen-Honored Guest - Frank W. BuckelsFrank BucklesFrank Woodruff Buckles was the last surviving American veteran of World War I. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1917 and served with a detachment from Fort Riley, driving ambulances and motorcycles near the front lines in Europe.During World War II, he was captured by Japanese forces...
-Last surviving American WWI Veteran-Honorary Marshall - Edith Shain-Nurse from the famous Times Square Kiss photo-Honored Guest
- Adrian CronauerAdrian CronauerAdrian Cronauer is a former United States Air Force sergeant and radio personality best known as the inspiration for the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam in which he was portrayed by Robin Williams....
-veteran and famous disc jockey portrayed by Robin WilliamsRobin WilliamsRobin McLaurin Williams is an American actor and comedian. Rising to fame with his role as the alien Mork in the TV series Mork and Mindy, and later stand-up comedy work, Williams has performed in many feature films since 1980. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance...
in the movie Good Morning Vietnam- Parade Announcer - Robert L. HowardRobert L. HowardRobert Lewis Howard was a highly decorated United States Army soldier and Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War. He was wounded 14 times over 54 months of combat, was awarded 8 Purple Hearts, 4 Bronze Stars, and was nominated for the Medal of Honor three separate times...
-Vietnam Veteran and Medal of Honor Recipient-Honored Guest - Brigadier General Steve RitchieSteve RitchieSteven Scott Ritchie is an acclaimed pinball and video game designer. He has been called "The Master of Flow" by pinball aficionados due to the emphasis in his designs on ball speed, loops, and the like....
-Only ace pilot of Vietnam-Honored Guest - Col. Walker Mahurin-Most highly decorated pilot in US history- Honored Guest
- "Band of Brothers"-Easy Company 506th Infantry Division 101st Airborne-Honored Guest
- The Tuskegee AirmenThe Tuskegee AirmenThe Tuskegee Airmen is a 1995 HBO television movie based on the exploits of an actual groundbreaking unit, the first African American combat pilots in the United States Army Air Force, that fought in World War II.-Plot:...
-Honored Guest - Flying TigersFlying TigersThe 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...
-Honored Guest - Doolittle RaidDoolittle RaidThe Doolittle Raid, on 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the United States to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. By demonstrating that Japan itself was vulnerable to American air attack, it provided a vital morale boost and opportunity for U.S. retaliation after the...
ers-Honored Guest - Pearl Harbor Suvivors Association-Honored Guest
- United States Marine Corps Band-Honored Guest
- United States Air Force Band-Honored Guest
American Veterans Conference
Since 1998 the World War II Veterans Committee, and now the American Veterans Center, has brought together some of America’s most distinguished veterans for an annual conference held over Veterans Day
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is an annual United States holiday honoring military veterans. It is a federal holiday that is observed on November 11. It coincides with other holidays such as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day, which are celebrated in other parts of the world and also mark...
weekend, at which they share their experiences with an audience of several hundred high school and college students, as well as fellow veterans and members of the public.
The conference has been televised live on C-Span and covered by the national media. In addition, the conference features wreath-laying ceremonies at Washington D.C. war memorials, private receptions for attendees with the veterans, and the annual awards banquet which honors the valor of American veterans From World War II, Korea, and Vietnam all the way to Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Veterans Center’s mission with the annual conference is to present American's with educational opportunities to learn, first-hand, from some of America's greatest heroes.
- Distinguished Participants Include:
- Donald BurgettDonald BurgettDonald R. Burgett is a writer and a former World War II paratrooper. He was among the Airborne troopers who landed in Normandy early on the morning of D-Day. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division, , and the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment...
- - Fran T. Carter-
- General Andrew J. Goodpaster-
- Donald Mates-
- James A. White-
- Donald Dencker-
- Bob FellerBob FellerOn December 8, 1941, Feller enlisted in the Navy, volunteering immediately for combat service, becoming the first Major League Baseball player to do so following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7. Feller served as Gun Captain aboard the USS Alabama, and missed four seasons during his service...
- - Lorraine RodgersLorraine RodgersLorraine Zillner Rodgers is a former Women Airforce Service Pilots pilot for the United States Army Air Forces.In 2004, the Discovery Channel's "Wings" network dedicated a one hour show to Rodgers.-References:...
- - The Honorable Celia Sandys-
- Jack ValentiJack ValentiJack Joseph Valenti was a long-time president of the Motion Picture Association of America. During his 38-year tenure in the MPAA, he created the MPAA film rating system, and he was generally regarded as one of the most influential pro-copyright lobbyists in the world...
- - Staff Sergeant David Bellevia-
- Lieutenant Colonel Lynn "Buck" Compton-
- Adrian CronauerAdrian CronauerAdrian Cronauer is a former United States Air Force sergeant and radio personality best known as the inspiration for the 1987 film Good Morning, Vietnam in which he was portrayed by Robin Williams....
- - Colonel George "Bud" DayBud DayGeorge Everette "Bud" Day is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and Command Pilot who served during the Vietnam War, to include five years and seven months as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam. He is often cited as being the most decorated U.S. service member since General Douglas MacArthur, having...
- - William "Wild Bill" GuarnereWilliam GuarnereStaff Sergeant William J. Guarnere was a non-commissioned officer with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, in the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army during World War II. Guarnere was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers by Frank John Hughes...
- - Edward "Babe" Heffron-
- Lieutenant General Harry W.O. Kinnard-
- Leonard Lazarick-
- Donald G. Malarkey-
- Hiroshi "Hershey" MiyamuraHiroshi H. MiyamuraHiroshi H. "Hershey" Miyamura is a former United States Army soldier and a recipient of the U.S. military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War.-Military service:...
- - Darrell "Shifty" Powers-
- Brigadier General R. Steve Ritchie-
- Dr. Lewis SorleyLewis SorleyLewis Stone "Bob" Sorley III is an American intelligence analyst and military historian.-Biography:Lewis Sorley was born in 1934, in West Point, New York, the son and grandson of officers in the United States Army who were both also West Point graduates...
- - Captain Bryan Jackson-
- Renwyn Triplett-
- B.G. Burkett-
- Lieutenant Colonel Bruce P. CrandallBruce P. CrandallBruce Perry Crandall is a retired U.S. Army officer who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Ia Drang. During the battle he flew 22 missions in an unarmed helicopter into enemy fire to bring ammunition and supplies and evacuate the wounded...
- - Walter Ehlers-
- Joseph L. GallowayJoseph L. GallowayJoseph Lee "Joe" Galloway , is an American newspaper correspondent and columnist. He is the former Military Affairs consultant for the Knight-Ridder chain of newspapers and is presently a columnist with McClatchy Newspapers...
- - First Lieutenant Pete Hegseth-
- Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.Thomas J. Hudner, Jr.Thomas Jerome Hudner, Jr. is a retired officer of the United States Navy and a former naval aviator. Hudner rose to the rank of Captain and received the Medal of Honor for his actions in trying to save the life of his wingman, Ensign Jesse L...
- - Grant Ichikawa-
- Marvin Margoshes-
- Sergeant Marco Martinez-
- James McEachinJames McEachinJames McEachin is an American actor, award-winning author, and known for his many character roles such as portraying police Lieutenant Brock in several Perry Mason television movies.-Military career:...
- - Lieutenant General Harold G. "Hal" Moore, Jr.Hal MooreHarold Gregory "Hal" Moore, Jr. is a retired lieutenant general in the United States Army and author. Moore is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second highest military decoration of the United States Army, and was the first of his West Point class to be promoted to...
- - George Joe Sakato-
- John Robert Slaughter-
- Charles "Chuck" TatumCharles "Chuck" TatumCharles "Chuck" Tatum is a World War II veteran and a former racing driver.When Tatum was seventeen he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He became a machine gunner under Sgt. John Basilone, and served in the Battle of Iwo Jima in Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine...
- - Michael E. Thornton-
- Colonel Warren Wiedhahn-
- Sergeant Jeremiah Workman-