Page 31 - DFCS NEWS MAGAZINE 2020-1

VA National Cemetary DFC Memorial Program – Phase 2
Describing the Process to Duplicate the Memorial Throughout the Country By Larry Yarham
Members of the San Diego Lindbergh Chapter of the DFCS, including National President Chuck Sweeny, came up with the idea of developing a Distinguished Flying Cross Memorial for the recently established Veterans Administration Miramar National Cemetery, San Diego. They decided that it would be a perfect addition to the cemetery’s Memorial Walk, where six other memorials were already installed.
The process began with the initial design of the DFC Memorial, thanks to Linda King, her son Kyle Zust and his friend Wesley McGinn. The memorial went through
various design changes as we learned about the myriad and very detailed VA requirements for donating and installing such a memorial at a VA National Cemetery. During the discovery process, the design specifications and limits, the
rules & regulations and necessary documentation for the required approval for the donated memorial were determined, but it frequently happened incrementally. Leading the Chapter through this process, with lots of assistance from Chapter Directors, other chapter members and outside help, was Gunnar Schalin.
Following that learning process, a final design was created that met the VA requirements and then a search commenced for a reliable manufacturing company to build the memorial. At the same time there was the need for a local company to construct the foundation and provide the physical installation of the memorial.
Letters for donations to the San Diego Lindbergh Chapter DFC Memorial Program were sent out to the local Chapter Membership. Members stepped up and provided the necessary funds, way over $5000, to move the program forward. This amount covered building the memorial and base, shipping these to San Diego, constructing the foundation and installing the memorial.
The entire process to complete Phase One took longer than expected due primarily to the several speed bumps encountered. This included a run around by a local monument firm that ultimately closed shop, plus a completely revised VA Instruction tossed into the mix. However, a Phase Two project normally shouldn’t be a long process. The good news is that the design is now well documented so that a Phase Two can progress with minimal effort using the current design while only changing the DONATED BY line. This will allow other DFCS Chapters (or groups of DFCS members or even a single member) to establish a local program to charter and provide a DFC Memorial at nearby National Cemeteries or civilian cemeteries.
The VA National Cemetery’s accepted design for the San Diego Lindbergh Chapter’s DFC Memorial consists of a Goldstar (Galaxy) black polished granite Monument: 24” X 30” X 6” and Base: 33” X 12” X 6”, with a total weight of approximately 1000 lbs. The fabricator hired to construct the memorial was Laser Image & Design (www.imageinstone.com) located in Lebanon, Ohio. Laser Image is well known in the military and aviation community due to their contributions to design assistance, construction & installation of the Intruder Tributes located in Pensacola, Virginia Beach, New York, Seattle, MCAS Cherry Point and the upcoming Tribute at
Whidbey Island. Laser Image also fabricated the SEAL Memorial at Virginia Beach, the Aircraft Carrier Memorial at Virginia Beach and many more such tributes and memorials. Owner & Manager Jim Smith and his Team, in addition to manufacturing the DFC Memorial, also assisted in coordinating the site’s foundation and installation.
The San Diego Lindbergh Chapter will gladly assist other chapters who are interested in participating in Phase Two by dedicating a DFC Memorial at your local National Cemetery. They will advise you on interfacing with the local National Cemetery officials, talking with Laser Image & Design and helping with lessons learned along the way. Contact National President, Chuck Sweeney at csweeney@dfcsociety.org and he will have a local San Diego Lindbergh Chapter member follow up with assistance.
Laser Image Technician Working on the DFC Memorial.
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