The
David Westphall Veterans
Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization which formerly owned and
operated the
Vietnam Veterans National Memorial located near Angel Fire, New Mexico.
The
Memorial was originally known as the Vietnam Veterans Peace and
Brotherhood Chapel and had its origins in a battle near Con Thien,
South Vietnam in which the following members of Bravo Company, 1st
Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment were killed (deaths were on May 22,
1968, except where noted). The Memorial is dedicated not only to
these Marines but to all members of America's armed forces.
Denver J. Berkheimer Ohio
Roger W. Boyd Illinois (died of wounds on May 23rd)
Davis F. Brown Florida
Alejandro Diaz New York
William B. Hamacher New Jersey
Clyde R. Hamby California
Robert E. Harris Kentucky
Rolando Hernandez Texas
Duane F. Horgan * Colorado
James E. Joshua Alabama
Charles S. Kirkland Missouri
Christopher L. Kurtz California
Jerry A. Longtine Minnesota (died of wounds on May 25th)
David Westphall New Mexico
Michael Williams California
Ray Williams Georgia
* Duane Horgan was assigned to H & S Company, but was with Bravo Company on May 22, 1968.
As the result
of a gift by the Foundation to the State of New Mexico, the
Memorial is now operated by New Mexico State Parks as the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial State Park. The Foundation is still
active as a support group for the Memorial, and has a contractual obligation to provide some
funding to the State Park. Essentially all of the Foundation's
activities are geared toward supporting the Memorial in one way or another.
As of November 11, 2005, the Memorial was the Nation’s First
Vietnam Veterans State Park!
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