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It makes perfect sense that Lake City Army Ammunition Plant should lead the way in raising money for The Wall That Heals.
After all, the company supplied as many as 14 billion rounds of ammunition for the Vietnam conflict.
And on Tuesday, ATK, the company that operates the plant, led the way in donating what has been, at least to this point, the largest monetary contribution to the upcoming event.
“We’re honored to be a lead partner in this historic event for our community of Blue Springs and for all Kansas City area Vietnam veterans,” Mark Hissong, vice president and general manager of ATK Small Caliber Systems, said in a prepared statement.
“As we continue to support today’s modern day war fighter, we’re proud to give Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve.”
Tuesday’s presentation from ATK of $15,000 was, in many ways, the official kick off for the major fund drive for other sponsorships. While some donations have been received, ATK’s contribution sets a standard that organizers for the event hope other business owners follow.
“We’re trying to raise as much funds as we can for this event, because we want to make it as special as we can,” Eleanor Frasier, chairman of the Blue Springs Public Art Commission, said. “We have some ways to go.”
The traveling replica will be at Pink Hill Park from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, and ancillary costs including its transportation, site preparation, security, medals for Vietnam veterans and other related costs associated with it can make the event costly.
When it was first announced the city would be getting the replica for the first time, the city committed $2,500, while Bank 21 committed $500. In addition, $1,000 has been committed by Steve Steiner Tents and Audio and $500 from Judy Qualkinbush with JC Hunter Realtors Inc.
Some utility mailings to residents also snagged some funds.
Dale Walkup, co-chairman for the committee charged with the bringing the replica to the city, said earlier this year organizers wanted to raise as much as $40,000. All funds are set up with the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
Sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, The Wall That Heals provides additional benefits and services different from other replicas that tour the country. Those additional benefits and services include a traveling information center and accompanying museum. There are also two site managers who oversee the Wall during the entire time it is in the community.
It makes perfect sense that Lake City Army Ammunition Plant should lead the way in raising money for The Wall That Heals.
After all, the company supplied as many as 14 billion rounds of ammunition for the Vietnam conflict.
And on Tuesday, ATK, the company that operates the plant, led the way in donating what has been, at least to this point, the largest monetary contribution to the upcoming event.
“We’re honored to be a lead partner in this historic event for our community of Blue Springs and for all Kansas City area Vietnam veterans,” Mark Hissong, vice president and general manager of ATK Small Caliber Systems, said in a prepared statement.
“As we continue to support today’s modern day war fighter, we’re proud to give Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserve.”
Tuesday’s presentation from ATK of $15,000 was, in many ways, the official kick off for the major fund drive for other sponsorships. While some donations have been received, ATK’s contribution sets a standard that organizers for the event hope other business owners follow.
“We’re trying to raise as much funds as we can for this event, because we want to make it as special as we can,” Eleanor Frasier, chairman of the Blue Springs Public Art Commission, said. “We have some ways to go.”
The traveling replica will be at Pink Hill Park from Sept. 30 to Oct. 3, and ancillary costs including its transportation, site preparation, security, medals for Vietnam veterans and other related costs associated with it can make the event costly.
When it was first announced the city would be getting the replica for the first time, the city committed $2,500, while Bank 21 committed $500. In addition, $1,000 has been committed by Steve Steiner Tents and Audio and $500 from Judy Qualkinbush with JC Hunter Realtors Inc.
Some utility mailings to residents also snagged some funds.
Dale Walkup, co-chairman for the committee charged with the bringing the replica to the city, said earlier this year organizers wanted to raise as much as $40,000. All funds are set up with the Truman Heartland Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
Sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, The Wall That Heals provides additional benefits and services different from other replicas that tour the country. Those additional benefits and services include a traveling information center and accompanying museum. There are also two site managers who oversee the Wall during the entire time it is in the community.
What money is left following the event, the committee plans to funnel it to some art projects dedicated to Vietnam veterans throughout city parks.
Frasier said following Tuesday’s presentation that there is more to just bringing the replica to the city.
“Some communities simply bring it and set it up and that’s it,” she said, adding: “Blue Springs is committed to doing more.”
In addition to the replica, special medals (the first of which was donated to Mayor Carson Ross, a Vietnam veteran) will be passed out to those men and women who fought in the Southeast Asia theater.
On the first day of its arrival, Frasier said the event will focus on students.
“We want to educate students about this as much as we can,” she said.
There also will be two flyovers while the replica is in the city and names of those Jackson County veterans who died in the conflict will be read aloud and accompanied by a ringing bell.
The exhibit will be free to the public and includes a special welcome home to all Vietnam War veterans.
Ross thanked ATK Tuesday for its contribution.
“We are grateful to ATK for being one of the lead partners of The Wall That Heals event,” he said, adding about ATK: “We didn’t know what level of support we’d get.”
For more information about how to donate or for more information about the event, visit the website at www.bluespringswallthatheals.net or Wall That Heals Blue Springs on Facebook.
People can also call 816-228-0110.
