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Organizers launch ‘Operation: Final Step,’ aimed at urging veterans to give $5 each

A local effort launched in 2015 to erect a $1 million replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Medford is halfway to fruition.

A local effort launched in 2015 to erect a $1 million replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Medford is halfway to fruition.

Organizers of the project are hoping to finish fundraising so the wall — 80% of the size of the original — can be dedicated within the next year.

Spearheaded by a group called Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit, the 493-foot structure is planned for Lithia & Driveway Fields, formerly US Cellular Community Park, adjacent to Bear Creek and the Jefferson Nature Center.

Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit President Ron Kohl said the project was long overdue and would be an important tribute to the men and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

The project was first announced in 2015, and organizers came to an agreement for a long-term lease for a dollar per year with the City of Medford.

A benefit concert that same year by country music singer Kenny Rogers raised over $65,000 toward the project, with another $250,000 awarded under House Bill 5006 and some $200,000 in donations.

Purchase of the wall — currently being stored by a local contractor — cost $290,000.

Kohl estimated another $550,000 is needed, including in-kind donations materials and labor.

“We’ve got the location. We’ve got a contract with the City of Medford. We are preparing the land to go ahead and receive the wall as soon as we finish fundraising,” he said.

“We have a contractor, an architect, an electrician and an engineer. Everyone is on standby. We just need money in the bank so that, when somebody works, we can pay them.”

Kohl started a campaign recently called “Operation: Final Step” to help close the funding gap. If each of the roughly 90,000 veterans in Jackson and Josephine counties contributed $5 each, the project could be fully funded, he said.

“If we could get a simple $5 donation from every veteran in Jackson and Josephine counties, it would be absolutely marvelous,” Kohl said.

Kohl said Southern Oregon Subaru recently donated $500, and he hoped other local dealerships and businesses would consider matching the donation.

“We’re issuing a challenge to all our local dealerships and other businesses, saying, ‘If you just put in five bucks for every vet you have working for you, in honor of them and their service to our country, it would get us a lot closer than we are now,’” he said.

“Donations of $500 or more will be listed on our donor plaques at the site,” he said.

Kohl invited veterans who send in a $5 donation to include a service patch with their name — or that of a loved one who served during Vietnam — written on the back.

A time capsule will be buried at the site containing memorabilia, patches and a Purple Heart medal.

“This project is about honoring our Vietnam vets, especially the 58,479 who are being honored with their name on the wall because they gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Kohl.

Once complete, the wall would be the largest memorial for Vietnam veterans west of the Mississippi River, Kohl said. A plaque honoring the 132 veterans from the seven southernmost counties in Oregon will be placed adjacent to the main wall.

“We have been continuously doing something on this, all the way through, since 2015. Sometimes it’s $40 here, $5 there, but it has been ongoing,” he said.

“It’s really important that we recognize the sacrifice of these men and women. This will be a very special place for Southern Oregon … and it’s time to get it finished.”

For more info, or to donate, see sovbmemorialwall.com/operation-final-step/

Checks, made out to SOVB, can be mailed to P.O. BOX 1013, Medford OR 97501.

Reach freelance writer Buffy Pollock at buffyp76@yahoo.com.

We are Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit (SOVB) for the permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall in Medford, Oregon, Jackson County.  We are a 501 C 3 (tax deductible) with A+ rating with Oregon Department of Justice.

We own the Vietnam Memorial Wall with 58,000+ names on it and raising funds to prepare the land to receive it.  We have a lease contract with the City of Medford for land at, what is previously known as US Cellular Park, present name of Lithia Drive. We have all avenues in place to prepare the land as soon as funds are received.

We are looking to partner with all those interested in showing respect and honor to those that gave the ultimate sacrifice and a healing to those that are still with us.  Looking forward to partnering with you.

Ron Kohl, President

Please visit our website to learn more information at www.sovbmemorialwall.com or give me a call H-541-500-1274 or C-239-849-1869.

Fellow service men and women:

An effort has been on-going for many years to have a replica of the Vietnam Wall from Washington DC constructed here in Southern Oregon.  We have already purchased the 360’ replica of the wall with all 58,479 names on it.  It will be the only replica with all of the names on it west of the Mississippi River.  The COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on finishing this project in as timely a fashion as we would like, but finish it we will!

The attached flyer is announcing “Operation Final Step” which is geared toward raising sufficient funds to prepare the future site and install the wall.  We are asking for a simple $5 donation from every veteran to help us reach that goal.  To sweeten the pot, we will be burying a time capsule near the Wall that will house unit patches from veterans who want to be remembered for all time.  We ask if you have a unit or organizational patch or rocker patch, donate it with your name on it and it will go in the time capsule.  We ask for $5 for each patch that you submit.

Please forward this flyer to every veteran and military or veteran organization that you know so as to spread the word and help us reach the goal.  You can mail a check made out to SOVB along with the patch or just a check to SOVB, PO Box 1013, Medford, OR 97501 or if you just wish to contribute to the cause you can go to www.sovbmemorialwall.com and use a credit card on the donate tab.  Our contractor has told us that the construction timeline is less than 120 days so there is hope to finish this project this year.

Winning ticket #01416.

Ron Kohl joined the KOBI Five on 5 to discussing plans to built a Vietnam Memorial wall replica in Medford.

This is what the entrance to the Memorial Wall will look like as you approach.

We were honored to have dignitaries and supporters join us for our location unveiling. This is the sign that marks our location.

Our permanent location will be at US Cellular Community Park, 300 Lowry Ln, Medford, OR 97501.

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Sportsman’s Warehouse was full of excitement Saturday night as the winners of our drawing were chosen and announced! Congratulations to our Camping Package winner Nick White, our Hunting Package winner Chris Delvalle, and our Fishing Package Winner Joe Elam! We hope you enjoy your prizes!!

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https://youtube.com/watch?v=BZ73cU-R5fk