VFW Post 2667

The state of Oregon set a precedent on Veterans Day by dedicating a memorial to its casualties from Afghanistan and Iraq. Though billed as the first of a kind, Arkansas actually dedicated a memorial to its National Guard troops killed in these wars on Sept. 10, 2005. Oregon's memorial includes all residents with ties to the state. The memorial efforts, under way for two years, was conceived and launched primarily by one family - Clay and M.J. Kesterson. Their son Erik was killed in Iraq. The family raised more than $100,000 in cash and garnered $400,00 in in-kind support. the state pitched in $181,000. Located on the grounds of the Oregon VA Department on the Capital Mall in Salem, the Afghan-Iraqi Freedom Memorial features a large fountain and an 8-foot bronze statue of a kneeling soldier with an outstretched hand. The 74 names of the soldiers and Marines killed are inscribed on a granite wall. Gary Cupp, who donated labor to complete the project and whose son is in Iraq, said, &q

The National World War II Museum, based in New Orleans, has embarked on a fundraising campaign to raise $300 million to expand the facility over five acres on two city blocks. This will create 300,000 square feet of new space. The original site began as the National D-Day Museum in 2000. For more information see www. NationalWW2Museum.org .