Dear 20th Anniversary Celebrant,
Only weeks until the Women’s Memorial 20th Anniversary Celebration?the countdown is underway! As we approach the celebration dates of October 20-22, the Foundation staff and volunteers are busy working to make the many necessary arrangements for each of the events. We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating with each and every one of you at this historic event. For those of you who completed the survey, thank you for doing so and for getting it back to us so quickly. Your responses were very useful in helping us keep our promise of maximizing limited funds yet hosting a meaningful 20th Anniversary Celebration.
The celebration will include a no-host dinner the evening of October 20; a formal 20th Anniversary ceremony at 11:00 a.m., October 21; and an Honor Walk and Service of Remembrance that evening. Lastly, we are hoping to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier the morning of October 22. An Information Sheet with specifics about each event is available on the website https://www.womensmemorial.org/anniversary. You may want to print the Information Sheet to keep with your travel items to use as a handy guide for event dates and times, locations and other helpful information. We are also working on some other opportunities that folks can attend between the formal events noted above. Specifics will be released as they become available.
Other 20th Anniversary Celebration items available on the website are a Reservation Form, which you can download, complete and return to the address provided; as well as a link to an online form. You will also find a listing of area hotels. You may also access the online Reservation Form here https://womensmemorialstore.wufoo.com/forms/womens-memorial-20th-anniversary-reservation-form/. Whichever you decide, we ask that you please complete the Reservation Form even if you are only attending free events so that we are sure to order enough chairs and other necessary items to accommodate everyone who attends. The Reservation Form must reach us by October 4 to give us time to make all of the arrangements. Tickets will not be mailed. We will have check-in at the door for the paid event. However, if an e-mail address is provided, we will confirm receipt of your Reservation Form and payment.
Please be aware that the Marine Corps Marathon is scheduled for October 22. While it will have limited impact on our events, it will impact hotel availability. We urge you to reserve lodging at your earliest convenience. Also, please be aware that seating for the Friday, October 20, Celebration Dinner is limited to 350 guests. Reservations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Reimbursement will be made for those payments arriving after reservations have been closed.
In spite of our efforts to limit costs to the Foundation, hosting such an event nonetheless incurs financial commitments, from chair rental to sound equipment. We are always grateful for help in covering the myriad of costs associated with such events. Every $1 makes a difference. Even if you don’t plan to attend but are able to help, donations will be greatly appreciated and can be made on the Reservation Form.
We are looking forward to celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Women’s Memorial dedication with you. Have a wonderful and safe trip to Washington, DC. See you October 20-22.
Sincerely,
Dee Ann McWilliams
Major General, USA, Retired
President