For Immediate Release: 4/19/2012 10:03 am
Worcester, MA (April 19, 2012) - The Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Board of Directors announced today that it will host a rededication ceremony in honor of the Memorial's tenth anniversary at Green Hill Park. The three-day ceremonial event, which will begin on Friday, June 1, will include a golf tournament, a rededication ceremony with the reading of the names, an anniversary dinner and a freedom ride. All of the events will be open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.
The event will kick-off with a golf tournament at Green Hill Golf Course at 9:00 AM on Friday, June 1. The rededication ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 2 at 11:00 AM and will include the reading of names, followed by the dedication ceremony at 1:00 PM at the Memorial site. A special tenth anniversary dinner will be held at Worcester's Union Station on Saturday evening. Rolling Thunder Inc. of the Massachusetts Chapter will sponsor a freedom ride on Sunday, June 3. Rolling Thunder Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to helping veterans and prisoners of war through public education and veterans assistance.
Originally dedicated in June 2002, the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial honors those from the Commonwealth who served their country between 1955 and 1975. The Worcester site serves as the Commonwealth's only permanent tribute to veterans of the Vietnam War. The Memorial is designed in three sections called places – these consist of the Place of Flags; Place of Words; and Place of Names. The Place of Words shows text from letters written home by some of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines who died in Vietnam. The Place of Names proclaims in stone the name of each and every Massachusetts resident who died in combat or as a result of wounds received while in action in Vietnam. The Memorial spans four acres and includes walking paths, benches, a pond and fountain.
"Although this Memorial especially honors and remembers the service and sacrifice of those from Massachusetts who gave their lives and freedom in Vietnam, it is dedicated to all those from the Commonwealth who served their country between 1955 and 1975," said Phil Madaio, President, Board of Directors, Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Memorial. "It is a place to provide a dignified, quiet, natural location for reflection and learning."
For more information and specific details about the rededication events at Green Hill Park, please visit the Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans' Memorial website at www.massvvm.org.
