Larry Scott (former E-5) served four-plus years in the U.S. Army with overseas tours as a Broadcast Journalist at AFKN HQ, Seoul, Korea and AFN Lajes Field, The Azores, Portugal and a stateside tour as a Broadcast Journalism Instructor at the Defense Information School (DINFOS). Larry was decorated four times including the Joint Service Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was awarded DOD's First Place Thomas Jefferson Award for Excellence in Journalism. After the Army, Larry went back to radio news, working in Indianapolis as a News Anchor on WIFE Radio and then in New York City as a News Anchor on WNBC Radio. He receives VA compensation for a service-connected disability and uses the Portland, Oregon/Vancouver, Washington VA facilities for healthcare. Today, Larry resides in Southwest Washington and operates the veteran's help website YourVABenefits.org. To contact Larry Scott email larry@yourvabenefits.org.
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Ten years ago an aging WW II veteran said something to Lee Grimes
that changed his life forever. With quivering voice and tears in his
eyes the old veteran said, "Lee, we are the forgotten ones." Grimes
answered, "That's wrong." Then he quit his job and went to work.
Saturday, July 2, Grimes will realize a ten-year dream as the Veterans
Memorial Museum in Chehalis, Washington is dedicated. For Grimes,
who is not a veteran, the museum is a way of saying thanks to all
those who have served. The motto of the museum is a promise to that
WWII
veteran who started it all: "They Shall Not Be Forgotten."
Grimes is proud that this is the only museum dedicated solely to veterans.
"It's a memorial for veterans," Grimes said. "This isn't about a particular
war or a specific unit. It's about, and for, every veteran who served
our country in war or peace." He added, "This is about the individual.
The person who served. What they did, how and why they did it."
It wasn't easy and it wasn't cheap. But Grimes believed in his mission
and others followed. The State of Washington gave $350,000. Lewis
County donated $118,000. The City of Chehalis added $50,000.
With donations from the Ben Cheney Foundation, Weyerhaeuser Foundation,
Lewis County Rotary Foundation, Sertoma International and countless
individuals the $1.3 million museum will open debt free.
The 20,500 square foot museum holds memories and artifacts from the
Revolutionary
War to the current conflicts in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
There are 85 display cases of military items such as Civil War and
Cavalry period medicals kits, saddles, tack and weapons. WW I to present
uniforms, personal items, field equipment and other paraphernalia
fill large areas.
The library at the museum is dedicated to Laurence Mark, WW II combat
veteran, author and military historian, and contains a comprehensive
military history section with books covering pre-Revolutionary times
to Iraq.
And, you'll be able to hear the stories of many veterans. The viewing
room is dedicated to Stanton Price, who endured over three years in
a number of Japanese prison camps during WW II. Price's story and
the stories of many other veterans from WW I through Iraq will let
you live the first-person experiences of those who were there. The
veterans talk about their fears, joys, friends that came home, and
those who didn't while sharing a special message for this and future
generations.
The museum also houses one of Washington's largest military weapons
collections, mainly small arms from countries all over the world and
boasts a 3,000 square foot conference center that is available for
special meetings, presentations and reunions.
Lee Grimes is now the Director of the Veterans Memorial Museum, the
organization's only paid position, and supervises a staff of about
50 volunteers who handle all aspects of day-to-day operation.
Grimes sees the museum as a place of learning, understanding and healing.
With great emotion he told me, "This is my way, our way, of saying
thanks. This is a place to help heal the hearts of veterans. This
is their place."
The museum will be dedicated Saturday, July 2. Ceremonies start at
11 am and are open to the public. There is no admission charge on
dedication day but donations will be accepted.
The Veterans Memorial Museum is located in Chehalis, Washington just
off Interstate 5 at exit 77 (about halfway between Seattle, Washington
and Portland, Oregon). Regular hours are Monday through Saturday,
10am to 5pm and admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children and under
age six is free. For more information you can call (360) 740-8875
and you can find the museum on the Internet at: www.veteransmuseum.org.
