January 11, 2010 - Education Center at The Wall Receives $1.4 Million in Donations
Five Donors Pledge Over $100,000 Each to Support Center at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Education Center at The Wall has received five donations totaling $1.4 million. The gifts, pledged over the last two months, follow the largest individual donation the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has ever received — $2.5 million pledged by the Heisley Family Foundation in September.

The five gifts include $1 million from an anonymous individual, and $100,000 each from business leaders Marty Irving, Rick Lieb and Paul Critchlow as well as industrial equipment manufacturer, Illinois Tool Works.

"We are humbled and grateful for these recent generous contributions from a diverse group of donors," said Jan Scruggs, founder and president of the Memorial Fund. "As people begin to learn about the Education Center, we know they will find ways to help us build it. It is an opportunity to tell the stories behind every name on The Wall, and to honor all of those who have served and those who will serve this great country in the future."

The Education Center at The Wall was envisioned to help put faces to the thousands of names on The Wall and to educate future generations about the men and women who gave their lives for their country. Planned exhibits include a "Wall of Faces," to feature photos of those lost in Vietnam, and a gallery of the more than 100,000 items left in tribute at The Wall since 1982.

Legislation authorizing the Education Center at The Wall was approved by Congress and signed by the president in late 2003. VVMF, in partnership with the National Park Service, has identified and gained approval for a site on the National Mall, chosen an architect and exhibit designer and is working with the federal commissions that must approve all new additions to the National Mall.

The Education Center currently is being built with private donations. Peter M. Holt, owner of the San Antonio Spurs, is the chairman of the Campaign to Build the Education Center at The Wall. Gen. Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.), is the honorary chair. Approximately $85 million will be needed to build the Center. Currently, nearly $25 million in pledges has been raised, including the lead gift from Time Warner. The Memorial Fund has received donations from corporations, organizations, veterans groups and individuals.