Jim Knotts, President & Ceo, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, Keynote Speaker During NJVVMF Remembrance Day Ceremony

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation (NJVVMF) will hold a Remembrance Day Ceremony May 7, 2017, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 1 Memorial Lane, Holmdel, NJ, Exit 116 off the Garden State Parkway. Jim Knotts, President & CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), based in Washington, D.C., will join this year’s ceremony as the keynote speaker.

Knotts will address guests at Remembrance Day, an annual event sponsored at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial and one of a series of events being held nationwide that marks another solemn anniversary -- the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The NJVVMF is a Commemorative Partner in this program which is being conducted by the United States Department of Defense under the National Defense Authorization Act.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund built “The Wall” on the Mall in Washington, D.C., and is in the process of establishing its own educational program. The VVMF regards the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation as an important partner in helping them develop the most impactful programs and services for people visiting the Wall’s physical location or digital presence. Much like the Education Center at the NJVVMF -- currently the only one of its kind to date in the United States -- The Wall’s Education Center will show pictures and tell stories of Vietnam veterans in the context of a rich educational experience focuses on the Vietnam War and will show some of the more than 400,000 items left at The Wall.

“The NJVVMF shares a similar mission and goal with those of us working at The Wall,” says Knotts. “When we saw their (NJVVMF) installation where they use milestones in the Vietnam era war and put those milestones into social, political and media/cultural context, it made perfect sense to us as we have a very similar approach for how we’re designing our Education Center. We’re looking forward to collaborating more as we move forward with our project.”

ABOUT REMEMBRANCE DAY

Remembrance Day was created by legislation in 1991 as a day in New Jersey to honor those who served in the military during the Vietnam War from 1959 to 1975. More than 200,000 New Jersey residents served in the armed forces during that time. During the ceremony held each year at the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation, Distinguished Service Medals are awarded to combat veterans in recognition of exemplary service in the line of duty.

HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED

This year, 24 names will be announced from the podium, soldiers, both living and deceased, who are being recognized and remembered for their distinguished service in combat. Of those, 19 are veterans of the Vietnam War.

“If there’s a seminal lesson from our shared work,” says Knotts, “it’s that we should honor the warrior regardless of how we feel about the war. Vietnam vets made a commitment to themselves -- never again would we send away our men and women to fight and possibly die without proper respect that they deserve.”

Visit www.njvvmf.org for more information.

About New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation

The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial, dedicated May 7, 1995, was built to encourage and foster patriotism and provide for recognition of the sacrifices, courage and valor of the New Jersey Veterans of the Vietnam Era. The Vietnam Era Museum & Educational Center, dedicated in September 1998, strives to encourage and foster a thorough understanding of the Vietnam era, including the political, historical, social, cultural and military aspects that affected the United States, especially New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njvvmf.org.

About the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Based in Arlington, Virginia, VVMF (the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund) is the nonprofit organization authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1980 to build a national memorial dedicated to all who served with the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War. Incorporated on April 27, 1979 by a group of veterans led by Jan C. Scruggs, the organization sought a tangible symbol of recognition from the American people for those who served in the war.

Since the dedication of The Wall, VVMF has pursued a mission of preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.