News Release: Nevada Governor Joins Education Center Leadership Team

17 May 2010

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons has joined the leadership team for the campaign to build the Education Center at The Wall.

The Education Center is an underground facility being built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., that will put faces to the more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Center will tell the stories of those who served in Vietnam and recognize the values common to all service members.

“As someone who has served in our nation’s armed forces, Gov. Gibbons understands how important it is to honor and remember the sacrifices made by our service personnel,” said Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF). “His passion and experience will make him a valuable addition to our leadership team.”

Gibbons is a veteran of the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars as a combat pilot in the United States Air Force. He later served in the National Guard, achieving the rank of colonel. A decorated veteran, Gibbons received 19 service medals, including the Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.

“While we always look to the future, we must never forget our past and the brave soldiers and patriots who have served in our armed forces,” Gibbons said. “Having served with many brave men and women in Vietnam, I am pleased to see this tribute to those who were not fortunate to make it home to their loves ones.”

Gibbons joins 19 other governors on the leadership team for the Center. Members of the leadership team provide ideas, recruit supporters and lead grassroots efforts to raise awareness and gather photos of the individuals from their states whose names are on The Wall.

As a member of the leadership team, Gibbons will help VVMF gather photos of the 149 individuals from Nevada whose names are on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The images being collected will be included on a Wall of Faces that will show, on their birthdays, photos of those who died or remain missing from the Vietnam War. Other exhibits planned for the Education Center will include a display showcasing some of the more than 100,000 items that have been left in tribute at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a timeline of events during the Vietnam War and a history of the creation of The Wall.

Nevada’s 28th governor, Gibbons is a former member of Congress from Nevada’s 2nd district. He is dedicated to education, supporting empowerment of local school districts and other significant reforms. He sponsored the Education First Initiative, enacted by voters in 2006, to ensure that education will be funded before any other budgets in the state. Gibbons is also working to harness Nevada’s natural resources to generate renewable energy, and make Nevada the renewable energy capital of the West.

By joining the leadership team, Gov. Gibbons is helping future generations learn about an important time in our nation’s history. Currently, nearly $25 million has been raised, including the lead gift of $10 million from Time Warner. VVMF has received donations from corporations, organizations, veterans groups and individuals. For more information on the Center, visit BuildTheCenter.org.

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