Vietnam Veterans to be Honored at Wall That Heals

from The Lost Creek Guide February 03, 2021

by Lost Creek Guide

Raise the Speed Limit?

Vietnam Veterans Who Died After Returning Home

Eligible to be Honored at The Wall That Heals

Gearing up for The Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall, to make its stop in Brighton Sept. 2 - 5, community members across the state are encouraged to submit names and photos of veterans who have passed away since their return home for the “In Memory Honor Roll” display. Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam Veterans have died each year due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and suicide, cancer and other causes related to their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) program seeks to honor those veterans through a digital “In Memory” display when The Wall That Heals is in Brighton.

VVMF is accepting applications through March 5 for the 2021 In Memory program. All veterans from Colorado honored through In Memory will have their photos and names on display as part of the mobile Education Center exhibit when The Wall That Heals is in Brighton.

“We want to honor as many Vietnam veterans from Colorado as possible. If your loved one served in Vietnam, returned home and later died –we want to be able to proudly display their name and photo in our community,” said Council Member Tim Watts, who has been involved in the effort to bring The Wall That Heals to Brighton. “I encourage members of the community to submit the names of Vietnam Veterans who have passed so that we can honor that sacrifice and help keep their memory alive.”

There is no cost to have a veteran honored and the application process is simple. To honor a loved one, you only need to complete a short application and submit the veteran’s DD214 showing their proof of service in Vietnam, a copy of their death certificate and two photographs. The application deadline to be included in the 2021 program is March 5, 2021. Additional information on the In Memory program and the application form can be found here: www.vvmf.org/inmemory.

As part of the In Memory program, an online remembrance page is created for each honoree with their photo and biography. Family members can share the page and leave remembrances about their loved one. Additionally, there will be an invitation to In Memory weekend in Washington D.C. (a touching ceremony on-site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where each honoree’s name is read aloud) - each applicant also receives a printed personal tribute certificate with their veteran’s photo(s).

“The impact of the Vietnam War stretches far beyond the 58,279 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. More than three million Americans served in Vietnam and an untold number of those who served have suffered from service-connected illnesses. No one knew that when the war ended, Vietnam veterans and their families would still be feeling the effects of their service more than 50 years later. In Memory is our way to honor these Vietnam veterans for the sacrifices they made,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982 and manages The Wall That Heals and In Memory programs.

About The Wall That Heals:

Spreading the healing legacy and the impact of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall, The Wall That Heals, and Mobile Education Center will be making stops in cities across the U.S., including Brighton in September. The three-quarter scale Wall replica will be located at Carmichael Park, just behind City Hall (500 S. 4th Avenue), and will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

For more information about the In Memory display and/or The Wall That Heals, visit www.vvmf.org/inmemory and/or www.thewallthatheals.org.

DENVER - In winter, people use various ways to keep their homes warm. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating equipment is the leading cause of fires in U.S. homes and nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February. The Colorado Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is offering Coloradans these safety tips when using furnaces, space heaters, and fireplaces, to heat their homes.

Furnace Safety and Maintenance

When outdoor temperatures plummet, many of us depend on a gas furnace to provide our home with warmth and comfort. However there are risks to consider such as a fire and/or carbon monoxide exposure. If you have a gas furnace, you must: • Have your furnace professionally cleaned and inspected before each heating season. • Keep the area around your furnace clean of debris, lint, and dust. Do not store any items such as papers, clothes, paint, rags, etc. near the furnace. • Do not store anything flammable or combustible nearby. • Clean or replace your furnace filters every 1 to 3 months during the winter to reduce energy costs and improve the air quality in your home.

Electric Space Heater Safety

Safety must be your top priority when using electric space heaters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires every year are associated with the use of space heaters, resulting in more than 300 deaths. In addition, an estimated 6,000 people receive hospital emergency room care for burn injuries associated with contacting the hot surfaces of space heaters, mostly in non-fire situations.

When buying and operating a space heater, follow these guidelines: • Purchase only newer model electric space heaters that have all the current safety features such as a tip over safety switch, overheat protection, and an adjustable thermostat to help save energy. • Always place the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. • Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater. Keep at a minimum a three-foot “kid-free zone” around all heaters. • Do not use an extension cord or power strip. Plug the heater into a wall outlet only. • Never leave space heaters unattended while operating and always turn the heater off or unplug it when exiting the room. • Never leave the space heater on overnight.

Fireplace Safety and Maintenance

While a wood-burning fireplace adds warmth and comfort to a home during the colder months, safety must be top of mind. Here are some tips on how to operate and maintain a fireplace. • The National Fire Protection Association recommends chimneys be swept at least once a year, at the beginning of winter, to remove soot and debris by a chimney specialist. • Be sure the flue is open before lighting your fire to help ensure the fireplace will vent properly. Do not close your damper until you are sure the fire is out. • When starting a fire, only use a match or gas lighter. • Never use flammable liquids to start a fire. They can produce toxic chemicals that can enter your living space. • Metal mesh screens should remain closed whenever your fireplace is in use to help keep embers in the fireplace. • Only use dry wood in your fireplace. Wet wood can increase creosote buildup, which can lead to chimney fires. • Never leave a fire in a fireplace unattended. Before leaving the house or going to bed, you should make certain to fully extinguish the fire. • Allow ashes to cool completely before disposing of them — ashes can take several days to cool completely. Never empty ashes directly into a trash can. Instead, place ashes in a covered metal container located at least 10 feet away from your home and any other building.