Tony Hake, owner and operator of ThorntonWeather.com has made a personal donation of $557.00 to the Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation and their Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall event. Tony is also chairman of the foundation and made the donation as a way to, “put his money where his mouth is.”
Fundraising for the memorial and the event requires contributions from all area businesses, service organizations and citizens. As a six year veteran of the United States Navy who served in the Persian Gulf, Tony has a special connection to this project. Tony said, “It is important that we honor our veterans as well as those who are in uniform today defending this nation on shores far and near. The Thornton Veterans Memorial will be a small way to say thank you to these brave men and women for their service.”
Of all the war memorials, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial – the Wall – arguably invokes the strongest emotional reaction of any and it is the single most visited memorial in the country. In order to allow more people to experience it, veterans organizations have created 3/5 scale versions that now travel the country making appearances at various events. Just the presence of the wall draws thousands of visitors at every location. It is not merely something that is seen – it is something that is experienced.
It is with this in mind that the Foundation, working in conjunction with the city of Thornton, has arranged to bring the traveling wall to the city during its annual Independence Day celebration. The Wall will be available for public viewing 24 hours a day beginning on July 3 through the morning of July 7 at the multipurpose fields at the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center (11151 Colorado Boulevard, Thornton, CO 80233).
Tony is challenging all area businesses and service organizations to match or exceed his own personal contribution to the memorial project and the Wall event. Tony said, “If we can’t find it in our hearts to honor our veterans, then there is no one worth of honoring.”
Tony also asks all area citizens to help out in any way they can. Volunteers are needed for the event for those so inclined. Donations from citizens in ANY amount are welcome and will help make this memorial possible. Also remember that the Foundation is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization so your donation is tax deductible!
Please use the following links to learn more:
The Thornton Veterans Memorial website
Donations can be made online at the memorial’s online store using a credit card.
Cash donations may be mailed in using the contact information here.