It was a Memorable Day…
The dream became a reality when the Vietnam
Wall of Southwest Florida was dedicated on
November 5, 2016. It began with a Walk of
Honor, and continued with a tribute by Rolling
Thunder, military fly-overs, remarks by
dignitaries and a moving performance of
military service songs by Guns n Hoses. The
event was attended by thousands of people from
near and far, and demonstrated that our
Vietnam Veterans will never be forgotten.
Scroll down for current happenings!!
Fundraising Status:
Our final construction fundraiser was held in August,
2016 however, we continue to accept donations for future
maintenance of The Wall and Phase 2 of Veterans Park.
Please send tax free donations to:
Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida
PO Box 494186
Port Charlotte, FL 33949
A 501c(3) Florida non-profit corporation
Florida Solicitors Registration #CH48445
Update as of January 2019
We have been excited to have numerous visitors to the Wall all year. Virtually all the eighth grade students in area
schools from Charlotte and southern Sarasota Counties came to the Wall and had briefings by Vietnam Veterans and
static displays. Four reunions were scheduled during the year and 2 had to be cancelled. The Class of ‘59 from VMI
enjoyed the area and had an exceptional ceremony with wreath laying at the Wall. The other was an Army unit from
the Vietnam War, A Company, 4th of the 3rd, Americal Division, I Corps. American Legion Post 103 held a Poker
Run for the Wall in May. Construction of the parking lot began in October and we asked for bids on the Donor Plaza
area in December.
Note Donor Plaza area on left The Charlotte Community Foundation has
and Parking area on the right provided a grant to provide handicapped parking
d
The Beginning:
The Committee, along with the City planners, decided that a wall approximately half the size of the wall in
Washington D.C. would fit in the park. The wall would be made of granite and all of the more than 58,000
names would be engraved on it.
The Charlotte Community Foundation was selected to receive the donations and hold those funds. The Foundation
would also be responsible for any taxes and government reporting.
This effort will include the entire Southwest Florida community and all who wish to ensure that these brave men
and women will always be remembered.
The Beginning:
The Committee, along with the City planners, decided that a wall approximately half the size of the wall in
Washington D.C. would fit in the park. The wall would be made of granite and all of the more than 58,000
names would be engraved on it.
The Charlotte Community Foundation was selected to receive the donations and hold those funds. The Foundation
would also be responsible for any taxes and government reporting.
This effort will include the entire Southwest Florida community and all who wish to ensure that these brave men
and women will always be remembered.
Status:
In 2017 we planned the projects to upgrade the newly named “Veterans Park” and now we have undertaken, with the
City of Punta Gorda, to refurbish the rest of the area encompassing the Wall.
Our “Phase 2” project includes a Donor Plaza at the west end of the wall, parking spaces along Retta Esplanade, as
well as a separate Purple Heart Plaza. Near the entrance will be a 25 foot long wall which will include a mural and
the bronze plaques that were removed from the brick pedestals in front of the gazebo and cleaned by a bronze
foundry in Georgia. For ceremonies and other functions there will be an “amphitheater” layout to the front of the
gazebo. The donor ledgers have been installed.
The Vietnam Wall area was essentially complete with the addition of benches, flagpoles and ledgers at either end giving directions for
finding names on the wall and some statistics from the war in 2017.
Wayne Goff, our General Contractor, will surely be missed. Wayne did an incredible job getting the ground ready for the granite.
But we will continue as Wayne would want. and he will always be a part of this incredible monument.
The Wall was opened to the public after the “soft” opening Sep. 3rd, 2016.
The Board expresses their heartfelt thanks to all who have sacrificed their time and talents to make our dream come true.
We again wish to thank all those who have helped with time and money. Because of you businesses, social organizations, military
organizations, clubs and hundreds of individuals who participted, this Memorial will truely honor those that made the
ultimate sacrifice.
The Vietnam Wall Of Southwest Florida, Inc. A Florida Non-Profit
Major General, USAF, (ret) Richard Carr....President
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THE OFFICIAL DEDICATION WAS
NOVEMBER 5TH, 2016 AT 10 am
SURE HOPE YOU WERE THERE!
THE DEDICATION KICKED OFF A WEEKLONG TRIBUTE TO ALL
VETERANS, BEGINNING WITH VETERANS FEST AT LAISHLEY
PARK AS SOON AS THE DEDICATION CEREMONY ENDS.
IHEART RADIO WILL HOST VETERANS FEST AND THERE WILL
BE PERFORMANCES FROM THE PORT CHARLOTTE JROTC
RIFLE DRILL TEAM, THE VIETNAM LAST PATROL, FRED
BRANDON AND THE COUNTRY EXPRESS BAND, THE BOCA
BANDE, MIKE RILEY AND HIS BOOGIEMEN, AND CAPPED OFF
WITH HIT NASHVILLE RECORDING ARTIST
DAVID BALL WITH HIS HIT SONG
“ RIDING WITH PRIVATE MALONE “
VICTOR - S10,000 and above
• Name engraved on Sponsors' Plaque near Wall
• Personal plaque to display in your office/home
• Reception in your honor
• Press Release(s)
• VIP seating at Wall Dedication Ceremony
VIETNAM WALL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SPONSORSHIP LEVELS
HERO - $5,000 to $9,999
• Name engraved on Sponsors' Plaque near Wall
• Name on Wall Banner
• Personal plaque to display in your office/home
• Press Release(s)
• VIP Seating at Wall Dedication Ceremony
PATRIOT - $1,000 to $4,999
• Name engraved on Sponsors' Plaque near Wall
• Personal plaque to display in your office/home
• Press Release(s)
• VIP Seating at Wall Dedication Ceremony
LEADER - $500 to $999
• Name engraved on Sponsors' Plaque near Wall
• Framed Certificate
SUPPORTER - $250 to $499
• Name engraved on Sponsors' Plaque near Wall
• Certificate Suitable for Framing
To send in a donation to help honor the more than 58,000 American men and women who made the
ultimate sacrifice.
Please send your donation to:
Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida
P.O. Box 494186
Port Charlotte, FL 33949
Vietnam Wall of Southwest Florida, A Florida Non-Profit 501 C 3 Corp.
