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The National World War II Memorial is now 17 years old and starting to show some wear and tear. It is one of the most visited Memorials on the National Mall with five million visitors annually. The National Park Service – the caretakers of the Memorial – currently has a $12 billion maintenance backlog of priority work nationwide. Nearly $1 billion of this backlog is for the National Mall alone.
In the spring of 2021, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) and Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) introduced the National World War II Memorial Commemorative Coin Act(H.R. 1057), which authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. Proceeds from the sale of the commemorative coins will be used to maintain and repair the Memorial, as well as for commemorative and educational programming. The bill currently has 296 cosponsors, but has not yet been considered for a vote.
In the United States Senate, Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) have introduced a companion bill, the Greatest Generation Memorial Act (S.1596) which currently has 27 cosponsors. At least 67 Senate cosponsors are needed to bring the bill to the Senate floor for a vote.
Friends hopes this important legislation will be passed in 2021. We have made significant headway, but we need your help.
If your representative or senator has not cosponsored either bill, please contact their office directly and ask them to.
If we are successful, the bill would have the U.S. Treasury mint coins in January 2023 and allow us to begin making repairs at the WWII Memorial soon after. Let’s unite the generations of tomorrow by preserving this Memorial and continuing to teach the lessons of yesterday.
For your convenience, here is a suggested message that you can copy, paste, and send to your Senator:
Dear Senator:
I am contacting you to ask that you sign on as a cosponsor of S.1596, the Greatest Generation Memorial Act. This important bill, which was introduced by Senators Mike Rounds (R-SD) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), directs the U.S. Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC. The proceeds from the sale of the coins will go to the non-profit Friends of the National World War II Memorial for the maintenance and repair of the National World War II Memorial, and educational and commemorative programs.
The National World War II Memorial is the only national memorial that honors the service of all World War II veterans. It is an important and special monument for our veterans and the nation. For World War II veterans and their families, the National WWII Memorial is a sacred place — one that provides a fitting and moving tribute to the service and sacrifice of our fighting men and women. As the number of World War II veterans declines, it is vital that our nation appropriately recognize their sacrifice and service.
One of the best ways to do this is to ensure that the National World War II Memorial is properly and fully repaired and maintained. In addition, it is also vital to ensure that the educational programming surrounding events at the Memorial remain robust and substantial. S.1596 will accomplish these goals. Most importantly, the bill will not cost a dime of taxpayer money.
Once again, I urge you to sign on as a cosponsor of S.1596. Should you want to cosponsor this important bill, please contact Frank Tedeschi in Senator Rounds' office at frank_tedeschi@rounds.senate.gov.
Thank you.
From Lt. Gen. Mike Dana, USMC (Ret.), a veteran with 37 years of service. Gen. Dana is a member of the board of directors of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial. "World War II Memorial Needs Our Support" by Lt. Gen. Mike Dana.
From World War II orphan Gerry Morenski, whose father was killed in action in Germany in 1945. Mrs. Morenski has organized and advocated for war orphans' causes for decades. "WWII Memorial in D.C. Needs Our Help" by Geraldine Conway Morenski.
From 100-years-young Colonel Jim Riffe who served with the U.S. Army’s 27th Infantry Division during World War II, leading a platoon in the invasion of Okinawa in 1945. Colonel Riffe spent 30 years with the Army, including service as Chief of Staff of the 82nd Airborne Division. "The World War II Memorial Needs Critical Maintenance" by Colonel James Riffe, USA (Ret.)
From 103-years-young WWII veteran Ms. Vivian “Millie” Bailey, who joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (later the Women’s Army Corps) in 1942 and was commissioned as an officer soon thereafter, serving as the commander of her unit. After the war, Ms. Bailey worked for the Veterans Administration and Social Security Administration in Chicago and was transferred to Baltimore as a division director. Though she retired in 1975, Millie Bailey keeps busy, with a particular passion for supporting our troops! "Secure funding for World War II Memorial repairs” by Vivian Mildred “Millie" Corbett Bailey
From WWII war orphan Mr. Ken Underwood, of Owings, Maryland, whose father, LT. Kenneth H. Underwood was a P-38 Lightning pilot during the war and was killed on May 18, 1944. Additionally, Ken’s son, LT. K. Harryson Underwood, is an active-duty Air Force pilot. "Support the troops, and the WWII Memorial" by Ken Underwood
From Dallas, Texas educator Ms. Patricia Hay, daughter of Jess Hay who played an integral role in raising the necessary funds to build the National World War II Memorial: "Historic Memorial Needs Attention” by Patrica Hay
From Chocowinity, North Carolina educator Ms. Brenda Most: "U.S. House, Senate must sustain WWII memorial” by Brenda Most
From retired Army Colonel Frank Cohn, of Fort Belvoir, Virginia, who was born in Breslau, Germany in 1925 and escaped to the U.S. with his parents at the age of 13. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the European Theater of Operations during the Battle of the Bulge. During the subsequent Occupation, he served as Sergeant of the Guard at Obersursel guarding the war criminals tried in the 2nd Nuremberg trial and shipping documents back to the States for examination in support of war crime prosecutions. “A Coin to Maintain The WWII Memorial” by Colonel Frank Cohn, USA (Ret.)
