The World War II Memorial was dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

Built by the American Battle Monuments Commission (the ABMC), it remembers our fathers with more than 4,000 gold stars on a Freedom Wall, central in the Memorial, which itself is cental on the Mall, between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

The fundraising goal was accomplished. AWON Member Chickie Shields Berry led the effort to coordinate a grass-roots effort that drew donations totalling $41,530.95 from members around the country.

As a result, AWON has been given an award from the ABMC. See below . . .

The World War II Memorial is a tribute to Our Fathers and to all Amercians
who supported the Allied cause.

Here is a quote from the Memorial Brochure: "The National World War II Memorial is a long overdue tribute to the individual Americans who helped win World War II, the largest war of all time and the defining event of the twentieth century. The Memorial honors the veterans who bravely fought to defend freedom, those on the home front who contributed to the war effort, and the high moral purpose that motivated the nation's call to arms. Never before or since has our country shared such a common bond of purpose and determination. This will be the first national memorial acknowledging the commitment and achievement of the entire nation."

The Memorial will be built on 7.4 acres already allocated on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., directly between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument.

The Primary funding of $100 million to build the Memorial was to be raised from private contributions. Most AWONliners are aware of the effort, and many received packets of brochures and other materials for local distribution through Chickie, or directly from the ABMC.

Chickie Shields Berry at the Street Fair in San Marcos, CA, above,
and at the North County Fair Mall in Escondido, CA, below.

AWON Members who particpated include Pat Albani, Kathey Ames, Linda Arlington, Diane Baczynski, Nancy Bartlett, Chickie Shields Berry, David Bissaillon, Ann Black, Rita Niro Blair, Barb Brod Bonin, Darlene Brock, Gail Brown, Sandy Baker Cardens, Roger McKee Connor, Alece Egan, Pat Fabri, Bev Goodlin, Susan Friedhaber-Hard, Linda Glass, Nancy Gorlesky, Norma Hamilton, Sheri Hicks, Carla Sue Holcomb, Connie Hornberger, Nancy Sue Johnson, Jamie Duke Keith, Barbara Kelly, Brenda Kightlinger, Janet Koons, Joyce Kovalsky, Diane Lassitter, Maureen Laustsen, AWON President Gloria Layne, Walt Linne, Maggie Malone, Jan Markham, Lorin McCleary III, Joyce McKeeBob McGanty, Jim Mentzer, Joan Fagley Miller, Doris Mosley, Nick Mott, Ann Nichols, Bonnie Z. Oats, Mary Olsen, Rik Peirson, Linda Porter, Jean Rhinehart, Kathie Rowland, Kay Martin Sandhoff, Gary Shields, Doni Troglio, Rob Werthmn, Ed Wilbeck, Judith Wright, Lynn Williams, and Tatum Young.

Every donation accompanied by the GR090 Code Number was credited to AWON.

By May, 2001, donations raised by AWON total more than $35,000! . . . putting AWON among the top Community Action Councils (special fundraising groups) in the Nation!

As a result, the ABMC has recognized AWON with the award and letter below

The brass plaque below the Certificate reads: The National World War II, Protector."

The plaque is flanked by two WWII era postage stamps. The one on the left is a 3 cent stamp featuring an eagle with wings outspread. Across its chest is a banner which reads "Win the War." The stamp on the right is also a 3 cent stamp with a replica of the "ruptured duck," with the inscription: "Honoring those who have served."

The inset shows the signatures of Senator Bob Dole and FedEx Founder Fred Smith.

The accompanying letter (below) is to Chickie, but as she says so graciously, it is for all of us.

Thanks to all! To thank Chickie personally for her leadership effort, just write Chickie at: chknbob@aol.com. To see detail on the current status of the Memorial, in a series of reports from AWON Founder Ann Mix, Click Here.

Many thanks to Chickie Shields Berry for all her efforts in making this effort such a success!
On behalf of AWON, we dedicate this page to the memory of:

CWO John Coleman Shields, died 6 December, 1943, Sydney, Australia