thedrifter
02-18-04, 08:57 PM
Vietnam Veterans Memorial To Close
Workers To Renovate Memorial Lighting
WASHINGTON -- A portion of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will close this
summer, but only after an extraordinary Memorial Day Weekend of military
events in Washington, including the dedication of the new World War II
Memorial.
The problem with the memorial, according to officials, is the outdated
lighting system doesn't reveal all of the 58,000 names chiseled on 72 black
granite panels on the wall at night. "What we're trying to fix is a
19-year-old lighting system that's almost held together with chicken wire,"
said Jan Scruggs, president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The $1 million project is expected to take five months.
Besides the dedication of the World War II Memorial during the Memorial Day
weekend, the Smithsonian Institution is planning a three-block-long series
of World War II related events that's expected to draw thousands.
U.S. Park officials say more than 130,000 people, including President
George W. Bush, are expected to the dedication of the World War II
Memorial. Park Ranger Stephen Lorenzetti told News, "We expect a sizable
crowd, we would recommend that people use Metro or mass transit to come
down."
The Memorial Day weekend events will be the last event before the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial closes for much of the summer. "We'll be closing the
memorial in half's ... We are going to have to apologize in advance to some
of the tourists who aren't going to be able to experience the memorial the
way they want to."
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Workers To Renovate Memorial Lighting
WASHINGTON -- A portion of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will close this
summer, but only after an extraordinary Memorial Day Weekend of military
events in Washington, including the dedication of the new World War II
Memorial.
The problem with the memorial, according to officials, is the outdated
lighting system doesn't reveal all of the 58,000 names chiseled on 72 black
granite panels on the wall at night. "What we're trying to fix is a
19-year-old lighting system that's almost held together with chicken wire,"
said Jan Scruggs, president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The $1 million project is expected to take five months.
Besides the dedication of the World War II Memorial during the Memorial Day
weekend, the Smithsonian Institution is planning a three-block-long series
of World War II related events that's expected to draw thousands.
U.S. Park officials say more than 130,000 people, including President
George W. Bush, are expected to the dedication of the World War II
Memorial. Park Ranger Stephen Lorenzetti told News, "We expect a sizable
crowd, we would recommend that people use Metro or mass transit to come
down."
The Memorial Day weekend events will be the last event before the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial closes for much of the summer. "We'll be closing the
memorial in half's ... We are going to have to apologize in advance to some
of the tourists who aren't going to be able to experience the memorial the
way they want to."
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: