From: Kerwin Stone (Secretary - VVA Texas State Council)
Sent: 3-5-2014
Subject: Event update for those attending the TCVVM Dedication Ceremony
Contact Email: Send email to Kerwin Stone
The information on this page was sent to our Chapter from Kerwin Stone, Secretary of the VVA TSC. It originally came from the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Executive Committee, which is also hosting the event. The dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2014 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (CDT), at the Texas State Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78701. See the links at the bottom of this page for additional contact information.
From the TCVVM Executive Committee...Thank you for letting us know that you plan to attend the March 29th dedication of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument! The big day is just around the corner, and we want to share some information to help you make the most of this spectacular and historic family-friendly event.
The unveiling and dedication of the monument will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m., rain or shine. Please check the weather forecast to make sure you are comfortably dressed. (Keep in mind that much of the monument area is shaded.) We have planned a beautiful and dignified ceremony and are very excited about the participation of the U.S. military, Texas leaders, Vietnam veterans and young Texans as we honor our state’s Vietnam veterans and remember those who died and their families.
An historic panoramic photo. Live music of the era at the monument. Vietnam-era military vehicles, helicopters, and equipment. These are just a few of the fun things that you and your family can enjoy at the Capitol on dedication day. Activities will occur at the monument and on the east side of the grounds between the Capitol and the State Library. A must see – the Texas Vietnam Heroes Exhibit display of 3,417 dog tags matching those entombed in the monument will be in the Lower Rotunda of the Texas Capitol Building.
We are arranging for approximately 2,100 seats, including bleachers – the maximum amount we can fit at the site. Seating will be first-come, first-served, general (non-reserved) seating unless you have been specifically notified otherwise. Our Blue Star Mother volunteers will be on hand to help folks find seats. If you are physically able to use bleacher seating, we ask that you please help us ensure that our veterans and family members with special physical needs have access to chair seating. We will have areas ready to accommodate attendees who use wheelchairs. Elements of the ceremony will take place 360 degrees around the monument, so all seats will have a great view!
If you are a Gold Star/MIA Family member, please notify a Blue Star Mother when you arrive and she will take you to the designated seating area we are reserving for you (again, first-come/first-served). If you are, or are traveling with, a Gold Star/MIA Mother or Gold Star/MIA Father, please email us and let us know, as we would like to make sure these special guests are recognized.
Photography is welcomed, but in order to ensure the success of the ceremony and the safety of attendees and participants, no one will be allowed to approach the monument during the ceremony. Please respect the designated news media photography areas, which will not be open to the general public. We will have crews documenting the entire ceremony for you, and it's important that we help reporters share the story of this great day.
Food trucks will be selling food near the Welcome Home Fair area on the east side of the Capitol. You will also find restrooms, including accessible restrooms, in this area. Inside the Capitol, the Capitol Grille will be serving light breakfast and lunch fare. Capitol restrooms will be open as well.
All state parking garages will be open (self-pay fee may apply). We are working to arrange for golf-cart shuttles to assist those who have difficulty walking from the garages to the Capitol grounds. These carts will also assist guests dropped from buses at the designated bus unloading zone on Brazos Street between 12th and 13th. The closest car/taxi drop-off is at 14th and Brazos, just in front of the Sam Houston Building. We do not have authority to designate or reserve handicapped parking spots. Cars with valid handicapped placards or plates can park at any available street metered spot in Austin at no cost.
Some of our hotel block rates expire this week. If you’d like to take advantage of these, please do so now!
You do not need to present a ticket. The dedication ceremony is open to the public. We encourage everyone to arrive early and “stake a claim.” Seating will be ready at 8 a.m. Lawn seating will also be available and folding chairs are allowed. We fully expect this to be a standing room only event – as it should be. Once, America sent Texans to war in Vietnam, and now, we will come together as a state to welcome them home. We can’t wait!
Click here to Contact TCVVM Executive Committee
Click here for Directions on Google Maps