Vets donate $40K to memorial fund
More than 160 veterans and guests rode in three buses to Washington, D.C., presenting a check to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The trip was part of the Butler County American Legion Riders's annual trip to visit memorials in the capital.
Dennis Christie, president of the riders, said the presentation coincided with their trip, and the merging of events was good timing.
The riders donated more than $40,000 of leftover donations from their effort to bring the Traveling Vietnam Wall to Butler.
“That was (extra from) two years worth of donations coming from businesses, the public, Legions and VFWs,” Christie said.
The money will go toward the upkeep of the Vietnam War Memorial in the capital.
“We said from the get-go, it was not a fundraiser for us,” Christie said.
The organization posted a message on its Facebook page.
“Thank you to all that donated and to all the people that spent countless hours bringing in the Traveling Wall,” the post said.
The buses left at 6 a.m. Saturday.
Once in the capital, the veterans and guests took a tram tour of the Arlington National Cemetery, visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and watched the changing of the guard, before meeting U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke.
Christie said Zinke was standing outside to welcome the group, even after they were late due to traffic and closed roads. Then, the group was brought to a rooftop deck where the check was presented, and Zinke gave a speech. Zinke even found time to tweet his thanks.
“I thank the 150+ Butler County American Legion Riders +families for their generous check to @VVMF. Thank you for your service & welcome home,” Zinke said via Twitter.
Christie said Zinke later invited the group to tour his office, took photographs and signed autographs with the veterans and their guests.
Some of the guests were ROTC members from local schools who assisted with operations when the traveling wall stopped in Butler.
“They were very grateful,” Christie said.
For veterans, the trip was free, which is typical for trips the riders host, according to Christie.
“That's where a lot of the money goes that we raise,” he said.
Christie said the only misfortune of the trip was that time prevented the group from visiting the capitol's Vietnam memorial. He said the group returned home at 2 a.m. Sunday, so it would have been difficult to make another stop.
“That just wasn't feasible,” Christie said.
Despite the missed opportunity, Christie said everyone was pleased with what they did get to see and especially with being able to meet Zinke.
“I think everybody was well satisfied with the trip,” he said. “I think it went beyond expectations.”
