URGENT: Call to Action for the
Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument
Action: please make every effort to attend this meeting. We need as many Texas Vietnam Veterans as possible to show support for a Texas Monument that honors Texans who served, and in 3417 cases, died while serving in this nation's military.
Please distribute to every veteran, friend, neighbor that you know. Friday 9/20 13 will determine if this is a Texas Monument for Texans who served in this nation's military. Our opposition will be there in force.
Can you spare just one hour for one day to keep this Monument a Texas Monument for Texans?
John
John A Miterko
Texas Capitol
Vietnam Veterans Monument
Please Distribute this part.
What: State Preservation Board Approval of Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument
When: Friday 9/20/13 at 9:00 a.m.
Where: State Capitol Extension, Room E1.012, 1400 N. Congress Ave.
Plan of Action: Fill the room with Texas Vietnam Veterans and others who support the monument design
Arrival Time: No later than 0800 Friday 9/20/13
Uniform: Veteran "Colors"
Support: Bring friends, family and neighbors who support the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument design
Details: See Below
To: Texas Vietnam Veterans
On Friday, September 20, the State Preservation Board of Texas will meet to decide whether or not to give final approval to the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. Though we have every reason to believe that the SPB will approve the design's compliance with the legislative intent of its authorization and its attention to historical accuracy, as you are probably aware, a small but vocal group has a history of protesting this monument to honor Texans who served in Vietnam.
It is essential that we have a strong showing of Texas Vietnam Veterans and supporters as the SPB conducts this final decision process.
Background: House Concurrent Resolution 36 (79th Legislature) authorizing the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument states that the monument should recognize "Texans who fought or otherwise served, and in many cases gave their lives, in the Vietnam War as part of this nation's armed forces." In compliance with this legislative intent, after receiving input from Texas Vietnam War veterans across the state, and with the recognition that the ethnic diversity of Texans of Asian American descent should be represented in the five infantry figures, the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument committee unanimously voted to amend the design of the monument to replace what had to that point been an ARVN (South Vietnamese) soldier with an Asian-American figure.
The opposition chooses to ignore the clear direction of HCR 36 and has made claims that the monument is meaningless and pro-Communist if an Asian Texan replaces the ARVN. These people have in the past petitioned the governor, made personal attacks on committee members, spread false allegations, and protested as we gathered as a state to honor our war dead during the Groundbreaking Ceremony. We need your presence to show the members of the State Preservation Board that Texas Vietnam Veterans stand shoulder to shoulder in support of our state monument.
NOTE:If there is an opportunity for public testimony, and you choose to make comments, please follow these tips:
Be polite.
Be brief.
Introduce yourself (name, service information, veteran affiliations)
Express your support of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument and thank the SPB for its support of the design's emphasis on Texans who fought or otherwise served and in many cases died as part of this nation's armed forces during the Vietnam War.
Suggested attire: Business clothing or "veteran colors"
LLRB
Rocketman 3%
Tx Lt ICMC
Nothing is impossible, only mathematically improbable.
Texas Confederation of Clubs and Independents
In Country MC is sharing this update for all of you who are following the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Project. To: Texas Vietnam Veterans
On Friday, September 20, the State Preservation Board of Texas will meet to decide whether or not to give final approval to the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument. Though we have every reason to believe that the SPB will approve the design's compliance with the legislative intent of its authorization and its attention to historical accuracy, as you are probably aware, a small but vocal group has a history of protesting this monument to honor Texans who served in Vietnam.
It is essential that we have a strong showing of Texas Vietnam Veterans and supporters as the SPB conducts this final decision process.
Express your support of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument and thank the SPB for its support of the design's emphasis on Texans who fought or otherwise served and in many cases died as part of this nation's armed forces during the Vietnam War.