Lt. Governor Ramsey, Senator Green, Senator Crowe and Senator Yager
State Senator Mark Green on Thursday honored his colleagues in their joint efforts in putting faces with the heroes of Tennessee’s fallen listed on “The Wall” - the Washington, DC memorial constructed from black polished marble with the names of 58,300 men and women whose ultimate sacrifice was in service for the United States during the Vietnam War.
Senator Green, a U.S. Army veteran, joined fellow Tennessee Senators to locate photographs of the 1,295 Tennesseans who are listed on the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial. A national effort, “The Wall of Faces” was launched in June 2014 to collect personal photos of these veterans to be used in a multi-media exhibit at the VVMF Education Center for permanent viewing by visitors and a digital version at the organization’s website.
“Last June when we kicked this effort off, our heart’s desire was to put a face to a name of those Tennessee citizens who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam,” said Senator Green. “Each one of these individuals is more than a name on a wall. They were someone’s son, daughter, husband, wife, the star football player from high school, and so much more.”
All of Tennessee’s State Senators joined Senator Green in informing citizens across the state of the 580 names without a picture available for inclusion in the new memorial in DC. However, one senator went above and beyond the rest.
“Today, we recognize Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City) for locating more pictures than any other senator. Chairman Crowe found 23 pictures of fallen veterans from his district,” noted Senator Green as he and his colleagues presented a framed print depicting a man paying his emotional respect as he leans against The Wall.
“I am humbled to have participated in such a unique project that pays tribute to our Vietnam Veterans,” said Senator Crowe. “Such a small gesture will leave a lasting impression for generations to come.”
Mr. Rice joined Senator Green in presenting Vietnam Veterans Association certificates to Senator Crowe and the others recognized for their outstanding efforts to collect photographs: Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey, who collected 22 and Senator Ken Yager of Kingston, who collected 16.
“I am extremely proud to be a part of this project," said Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, “Honoring those individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom is a high calling. I appreciate the work Senator Green has done to make sure these fallen veterans continue to be honored and remembered for generations to come.”
Currently, a virtual “Wall of Faces” is available for viewing at www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces. Photographs collected across the nation are displayed with a profile of each serviceman or woman available. Veterans’ whose photographs remain unavailable have only their names displayed.
Senator Ken Yager said, “Honoring our veterans and their families is such a wonderful part of serving the people of Tennessee. “I appreciate the response from the family and friends of these valiant veterans.”
Additional photographs may be submitted to www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces. Copies of the photos can be mailed to: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Attn: Call for Photos, 2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 104, Washington, DC 20037.
“Preserving our history to teach our children of their family’s sacrifices and our nation’s greatness is an added benefit,” said Senator Green.