Rick Weidman prepares to begin ceremony. Seated
from right are VVA past president
George Duggins, AVVA president Mary Miller, and VVA president Tom Corey. 
Mr. Karotko welcomed
the dedication of the plaque, and invited
visitors to spend some time with National Park Service volunteers. 
On behalf of the
board of the Vietnam War In Memory Memorial, Inc.,
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald voiced appreciation to all who helped to achieve the In Memory Plaque. 
Robert A. Martin,
of the Fredericksburg,
VA, Free Lance-Star,
(click link for FLS photos, story) was among the news photographers covering the In Memory Plaque's dedication. 
Thomas Buckley lost
his wife, former Army surgical nurse
Lynda Van Devanter, to Agent Orange/Dioxin. She was a highly regarded veterans' advocate whose memoir, Home Before Morning, helped to inspire China Beach. 
Mr. Buckley urged veterans and families
to be aware of the
possibility that post-war illnesses may be Vietnam service-related. 
As visitors filed past the In Memory Plaque, some left white roses and other memorabilia. 
VVA President Tom
Corey with former Fredericksburg,
Virginia, Mayor Bill Beck and Ruth Coder Fitzgerald 
In Memory Plaque
Project advisory board member James G. Zumwalt,
his mother, Mrs. Elmo Zumwalt, Jr., and Diane Bowles Photo courtesy Diane Bowles 
Diane Bowles with
In Memory Plaque Project advisory board members
Carla Carolan and Genevieve Douglass Beckham, and Ruth Coder Fitzgerald Photo courtesy Diane Bowles 
Vietnam veterans
Rick Taylor, of Texas, and Clark Johnson, of Utah,
served in the Second Battallion, First Marines, visited the In Memory Plaque Friday morning after Veterans Day. 
Mr. Taylor and Mr.
Johnson voiced approval of the plaque, which
honors veterans including their USMC unit's Lewis B. Puller, Jr. 
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