2008 is the year that all Americans will become acutely aware of the critical needs of our American veterans. The Veterans Tribute Tower visually embraces the idea that the future of our men and women of the armed forces is in our hands.
The future for America's veterans is changing because modern warfare and a revolution in technology and medicine bring more and more military men and women home with unprecedented challenges
On September 11, 2006, an independent Com- mission was convened with the sole purpose of defining this future for our veterans. The Commission on the Future for America's Veterans was created by The Veterans Coalition, a nonprofit organization founded by the five largest veterans service organizations in the U.S. Their purpose is to create a plan that meets future needs of veterans for benefits and services, ensures the quality of life for 21st century veterans and creates a realistic blueprint for action. The Commission receives financial support from grant making organizations, private sector partners, associations and individuals. It accepts no funding from government sources.
The Veterans Tribute Tower, designed and built by The Verdin Company of Cincinnati, Ohio, stands as a reminder that all communities need to ensure that our veterans receive the treatment they deserve. Veterans Tribute Towers are planned for communities all over America establishing permanent settings where people can gather to honor veterans. For each tower installed, The Verdin Company will donate directly to the Commission.
Veterans Tribute Towers stand as a lasting tribute to honor the past of America's veterans, as a salute to our present veterans, and to inspire the future for all veterans.
Rising Sun, Indiana, is the site of the nation's first Veterans Tribute Tower to be dedicated during a two-day celebration April 4th and 5th.
"We're proud to be the first in the U.S. It's just the right thing to do," said Rising Sun Mayor Bill Marksberry. "The city had no monument or designated area for our veterans. What better way to honor our veterans than to put one up on our beautiful riverfront."
"America wants to say thanks," said harry Walters, CEO of the Commission on the Future for America's Veterans. Walters’ military career included three years as head of the Veterans Affairs (VA). He is concerned with the ongoing welfare of America's veterans. While at the VA he and his staff created a slogan that still rings true for him. "The slogan was simple, sincere and true," said Walters. "America is #1 thanks to our Veterans."
Those sentiments are echoed by Ed Sullivan, the chairman of the Rising Sun Veterans Tower Committee, the group that partnered with the City of Rising Sun to provide funding for the Veterans Tower. "We thought it was meaningful to do this," said Sullivan. "It’s important to have a tribute to veterans. It’s a celebration, not a memorial."
But honoring veterans was only part of the motivation. The partners also liked the idea of helping veterans by contributing to the Commission. "They’re setting some significant goals for health and education," added Sullivan. "We hope this will help improve services for veterans."
