VFW Magazine writes about the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in its October issue.

Read the full article in the VFW Magazine.

National Commander Tyson, National Adjutant Wilson, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen –

It’s a privilege and an honor to be able to provide you with an update on our progress in transforming the Memorial from a concept into reality. And although we’ve encountered some challenges along the way, I think all of you, especially in light of the last few weeks of focus on the National Debt, instinctively know that getting anything done in our Nation’s Capital takes time, a lot of patience, and most importantly, perseverance.

I’ve heard your National Adjutant remark that thinking about all the agencies, commissions, and laws in Washington that we’ve had to deal with – their acronyms -the CWA, CFA, NCPC, NPS, DOT, NCMC, AOC, DDOT – sent him to bed thinking about alphabet soup. For me it’s more like playing Scrabble but you don’t know your score until the game’s over.

I’d like to give you a brief recap of where we’ve been and how far we’ve traveled –

Prolific American sculptor Larry Kirkland, who comes from a large military family, has been selected to design the sculptural elements of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

The Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation announced today that Washington, D.C.-based Tompkins Builders, which has built many of the most well-known landmarks in the nation’s capital, will construct the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.

Tompkins Builders’ extensive portfolio includes the East Wing of the National Gallery of Art, National World War II Memorial, East Wing of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial.

“The appointment of Tompkins Builders, who have been working in Washington, D.C. for a century, is an exciting milestone for the Memorial as it moves us that much closer to fulfilling our mission to honor those men and women who have sacrificed for our country,” said Arthur H. Wilson, Co-Founder and President of the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation and National Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). “We are looking forward to working with a company with deep roots in Washington and an unparalleled level of experience in building treasured national monuments.”

Marking a historic milestone in the 12-year effort to construct the nation’s first, permanent national tribute to America’s disabled veterans, more than 500 veterans, disabled veterans, government dignitaries, VIPs and supporters gathered in Washington, D.C. on November 10 for the official groundbreaking ceremony of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.