39,000 combat wounded veterans from all wars: PRESS RELEASE

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS

The Military Order of the Purple Heart consists of about 39,000 combat wounded veterans from all wars. The MOPH exists to offer support to the combat wounded and their families.

MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART
National Headquarters
(PRESS RELEASE BELOW)

Vietnam Memorial Wall Defaced This Weekend (September 7-9, 2007)
Pictures At:
Vietnam Memorial Wall Defaced This Weekend (September 7-9, 2007)

IN JANUARY 2007, THE ANTI-AMERICAN DEMONSTRATORS DESECRATED NATIONAL VETERANS MEMORIALS! WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND STAND UNITED FOR OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES! STAND UP FOR AMERICA TODAY!

Don't Let Them DESECRATE Our Memorials Again!!

BE THERE SATURDAY – SEPTEMBER 15TH IN WASHINGTON, DC

STAND UP AND BE COUNTED...
Details At:

Eagles Up! - Home

Gathering of Eagles

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MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART

National Headquarters

5413-B Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151

703-642-5360 Fax: 703-642-1841

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For information contact:

Nat'l Public Relations Director Ray Funderburk (662) 772-5811

Email: mophpr@bellsouth.net

Eagles must gather again

Springfield, VA—As combat wounded veterans we all know and understand the truism, “Vigilance is the price of liberty.” In the 1960s groups like the A.N.S.W.E.R Coalition and its followers took to the streets of our nation and since they were unopposed they shaped a national defeat that could not be brought about by the Viet Cong or the North Vietnamese. They also created mischief and acts of vandalism against our memorials, our flag, our serving military and military recruiting stations.

Make no mistakes about these groups today and their announced goals. Their leadership like their tactics has not changed. They remain a menace and it is not just about protesting and their right to protest.

All of us who have been wounded in combat know why we went to war. We know the values and rights we were protecting. We will always fight for all of the rights of every American citizen to have freedom of speech, rights of assembly, freedom of religion, the right to keep and bear arms and all of the other rights granted by our forefathers. We must always fight to preserve and protect those rights that we have come to know as Americans.

I am once again calling for our Patriots to again gather with the Eagles. Not to stifle protest, not to out shout voices of dissent, but simply to protect what we hold so dear. The planned activities of A.N.S.W.E.R on September 15th will not require us to counter protest or even stand in opposition to protest. No, the reason we must gather is to stand vigilant, and place ourselves between our memorials and symbols of freedom and those who would do harm to them.

The A.N.S.W.E.R coalition and their support groups have stated that they intend to bring one million protesters to Washington for the purpose of overcoming the White House, Congress and the Pentagon. In addition to a call for protesters, they are now calling for volunteers who “are able to risk arrest.” They have clearly stated that they intend not only to indulge in legitimate protest but that they intend to violate laws.

We must remember that in January of this year, this group marched on our capitol and marching and voices of protest were not enough for them. They defaced and desecrated our capitol building and while their major effort was centered on our capitol, a small group journeyed to the Navy Memorial and defaced and desecrated it.

We must also remember that on that bitter cold day in March, when we stood arm in arm with the Eagles of our land, the protesters were stunned and stopped by our mere presence. But nevertheless, late in that evening they made an attempt to deface the Viet Nam Wall.

Once again we must gather with the Eagles and we must remain vigilant. We must remain vigilant as those who protest use the streets of our capitol as their stage. I ask the Patriots of the Military Order of the Purple Heart and all other veteran Patriots that you join me just off stage, in protection of our memorials once again.

Gather again and stand with the Eagles of this nation.
Henry J. Cook, III

Col. U.S. Army Special Forces (Ret.)
National Commander, M.O.P. H.

The Military Order of the Purple Heart consists of about 39,000 combat wounded veterans from all wars. The MOPH exists to offer support to the combat wounded and their families.

Pictures of the defacing at: Vietnam Memorial Wall Defaced This Weekend (September 7-9, 2007)

For Immediate Release Contact:
Lisa Gough
Director of Communications
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Sept. 11, 2007
(202) 393-0090, ext. 109

Light, Oily Substance Spilled onto Portions of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial; National Park Service Moves to Remove Substance Quickly

Washington, D.C. - On Friday, September 7, National Park Service staff and volunteers discovered a light, oily and unidentified substance that was spilled over portions of some of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial's panels and paving stones, with National Park Service (NPS) preservation
and maintenance staff beginning the removal process immediately.

The United States Park Police has begun an investigation into the matter, and that investigation is ongoing. Until this investigation is completed, it is premature to speculate whether any intentional act was committed.

The NPS' preservation and maintenance staff continues to work to remove the substance and believes it will be possible to remove the substance entirely.

For nearly 25 years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and NPS have worked together on the maintenance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
"The care and security of this national treasure remain a top priority to both the Memorial Fund and the National Park Service," said Memorial Fund Founder and President Jan C. Scruggs.

"While it is unclear what transpired, we are heartened by the response of the veterans' community and the general public. After 25 years, their connection to The Wall remains as strong as ever, and we appreciate that," Scruggs added.

As more information becomes available, the Memorial Fund and NPS will keep the news media and the general public aware.

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Lisa Gough
Director of Communications
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
1023 Fifteenth Street, NW, Second Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005
(202) 393-0090, ext. 109
Fax: (202) 393-0029
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund - Home