11/11/10

Update: Congressional Gold Medal

NOTE:  This is an update to the original post dated :  Tuesday, September 28, 2010


Veteran Registry
The National Veterans Network (NVN)  has set up a Veterans Registry on its web site in the "ceremony" section. www.nationalveteransnetwork.com

The purpose of the registry is to determine the interest of veterans, next of kin and family members who wish to attend the Washington DC events. Thanks to outreach done by several NVN organizations, there has been a high volume of registrants. We continue to receive a steady flow of registrants each week.

As of November 10, 2010, the following numbers have registered.

113 Veterans
106  Next of Kin of veterans who were killed during the war or have passed on.
917 Total people registered, majority of whom are family members. Also includes the "maybes."

The final decision on who attends (living veterans, next of kin, family etc)  and how many can attend (based on venue) is determined by the Speaker of the House. The veterans registry was designed for planning purposes so that we can provide the Speaker with concrete numbers of those interested in attending the ceremony. 

It is our understanding that that all living veterans will be invited. NVN will share the registry numbers and interest level with the Speaker in hopes that others will be invited, however, the final decision will be made by the Speaker's office. While the ceremony attendance is unknown, please know that invitations to the memorial services and gala dinner will be extended to all parties so that we can collectively honor and commemorate this historic occasion. 

Honor Flight
Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization who flies veterans to Washington DC to see "their" memorial, has agreed to partner with NVN for the Congressional Gold Medal event. Honor Flight is seeking to fly 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans to Washington DC  for free by providing airfare and accommodations and an opportunity to see the National WWII Memorial. Living 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans who are registered with NVN will be considered by Honor Flight.

If you know of veterans who would be interested in attending the ceremony, we highly encourage you to register by going to NVN's web site - www.nationalveteransnetwork.com.

We need your help - please help us by spreading the word to everyone about the Congressional Gold Medal. We are seeking 100th, 442nd and MIS veterans who would be interested in attending next year's events. We know that many are not active with veterans or civil organizations and outreach beyond NVN will be necessary. 

Please share the news, and encourage them to go to the NVN web site to register. 

Or please contact: Metta Tanikawa (cgm.tanikawa@gmail.com), Terry Shima (ttshima@comcast.net) or Christine Sato-Yamazaki (Christine@csy-assoc.com)

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