Monument Terrace, Lynchburg, Virginia                                                        MOPH

One of the things I love about Lynchburg is people who passionately believe in a cause. Ever since the start of the war in Iraq, a group of veterans and concerned citizens have been meeting on the steps of Monument Terrace and you will find them here every Friday from noon to one pm. Their goal is to recognize the sacrifice of those who have served in our military and to show support for our troops who are currently serving.

Steve Bozeman is one of these dedicated individuals. A former marine who was awarded two Purple Hearts, Steve is an amazing athlete who's participated in numerous marathons and holds the American record for completing 15 Double Ironman Triathlons. He carries the Marine Flag during the Virginia Ten-miler and Marine marathons. Steve is on the committee to erect a Purple Heart Memorial in Lynchburg http://www.purpleheart.org/.  He and others have been tirelessly raising funds for the memorial which will be dedicated on Memorial Day, 2008. So far, $12,000 has been raised of the $16,000 goal. Steve sent me the following information:

The Purple Heart Memorial will be placed on upper plaza near Court St. and dedicated on Memorial Day 2008.

On the back of memorial, these words will be engraved, "Honoring all recipients of the U.S.A.'s oldest

military medal and remembering particularly here at Monument Terrace, the wounded and fallen of Lynchburg,

Va. and its immediate surroundings".

Also, on back will be engraved all the five military branches emblems in 5" diameters.  The "Listening Post," 

familiarly known as "The Doughboy" was dedicated in 1926 to honor the men of Lynchburg who served in WWI 

(1914 - 1918), of which 43 men were killed.  Memorials honoring WWII, (182 killed), Korea (24 killed) and 

Vietnam (27 killed) were dedicated in 1986 to honor those veterans.  The Purple Heart Memorial will honor all 

those 276 heroes from Lynchburg who paid the ultimate sacrifice for America's freedom.

How can you get involved? On January 31, 2008 News/Talk Radio WLNI (105.9) will be holding a fundraiser to 

benefit the Purple Heart Memorial on their morning show from 6-10am. They will have 5 lines open to take 

pledges and those scheduled to take calls are:

a mother of a soldier killed in Vietnam (Mrs. Ruth Taylor-Perry)

a sister of Marine killed (Mrs. Pat Childress)

a former POW/MIA (David Harker)

and a few other Vietnam vets that were awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

They will be interviewed by WLNI during the course of the 4 hour show.  

Please call in at (434) 846-8255 & (866) 338-1059 to make a pledge to this worthy cause. 

For more information regarding Lynchburg, Virginia, please contact:

Debbie Malone, Realtor

RE/MAX 1^st Olympic

(434)546-0369

malone1981@aol.com