Date: Feb. 23, 2012
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC to Host the American Veterans Traveling Tribute

WESTVILLE – The National POW/MIA Flag is coming to Purdue University North Central, along with the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) to be on the Westville campus from July 3 at 7 p.m. through July 7 at 11 a.m.

The 40-foot by 60-foot flag will be hoisted atop a crane being provided by Tonn and Blank Construction Co. and will be adjacent to U.S. 421. The POW/MIA flag is an American flag designed as a symbol of citizen concern about United States military personnel taken as prisoners of war (POWs) or listed as missing in action (MIA).

This Traveling Tribute will provide visitors an opportunity to experience an 80-percent scale version of the Vietnam Wall as its cornerstone. Across its 360-foot length, the wall contains all the names etched in the original wall in Washington, D.C. This project pays respect to the men and women who served their country and pays specific tribute to those who gave all in that service: veterans, active military personnel, law enforcement, firefighters, first responders and those lost protecting us from terrorist attacks.

“It is a tremendous honor to have the opportunity to host the American Veterans Traveling Tribute on our campus,” said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. “We know that many people have not had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. to view the Vietnam Wall. Bringing the wall to the Purdue North Central campus gives everyone in our community a chance to see the wall and honor those who have so gallantly served our country.”

PNC will also be the site of other memorials and exhibits including:

• The Gold Dog Tag Display of all members of the armed forces who have given their lives in the Global War on Terror; each tag has full name, rank, branch of service, date and location of casualty. This one-of-a-kind tribute honors those who have fallen and to which there is not currently a memorial for their honor and remembrance.

• A 9/11 tribute with the names of all 2,984 casualties organized by where they were at the time of death

• A series of frames depicting the actual statistics from every war and conflict in which the United States has been involved

• A series of World War II panels which portray the entire timeline of events and numerous graphics and photos

• A Korean War tribute consisting of eight panels with the entire timeline and battle maps and photos

• A series of Vietnam facts and figures, the timeline of events and an art display from a Vietnam Vet artist

• A display of USA founding and significant historical documents: the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other relevant documents

• Panels for honoring Law Enforcement and Firefighters with pictorial display

• A panel memorializing the casualties at the 2009 Fort Hood shooting

• Panels displaying the pictures of each of our commanders in chief throughout history

• Displays honoring all who fell in military hostile action between the end of Vietnam and the 9/11 attack; each conflict is represented with facts and each casualty is recorded.

Financial donations are needed to help offset the cost of bringing the AVTT to Purdue North Central. All donors will be acknowledged on the website and in programs distributed to each visitor. Any money raised beyond what is needed will be donated to veterans' causes.

Volunteers are also needed with more than 450 volunteer slots to be filled, including licensed counselors, runners, greeters, parking lot attendants and more.

In addition, local bands, choirs and singers are needed to perform appropriate music throughout the five-day event.

Further information about the AVTT and the many donor or volunteer opportunities available may be found at www.pnc.edu/avtt . The website also has flyers for distribution. Volunteers will soon be able to sign up through this site.

Anyone interested in making a financial contribution, may send a check payable to Purdue Foundation (with AVTT written on the memo line) to Purdue University North Central, Office of Advancement, 1401 S. U.S. 421, Westville, Ind. 46391.

To learn about financial or in-kind donation opportunities contact Melissa Westphal-Benefiel, PNC interim director of Advancement, at 785-5200, ext. 5274 or mwestpha@pnc.edu .

To learn more about volunteer opportunities contact Liz Bernel, PNC coordinator of Special Events and Marketing, at 785-5200, ext. 5719 or ebernel@pnc.edu .