Earlier this year, several organizations joined together to complete a long-overdue task: a
   makeover of the Beirut Memorial Room at the USO in Jacksonville, NC. BVA thought it was
   important enough that we made a sizeable donation to include a granite wall bearing the names
   of our fallen. It was expensive, but the end result is beautiful.

Today, we need to ask for a small donation to help offset the cost to BVA.

Background.

On January 14, the USO, BVA, and representatives from Jacksonville and Marine Corps Base
   Camp Lejeune joined to dedicate a completely refurbished Beirut Memorial Room. As most of
   you know, the room had existed for many years, but its worn furniture, ancient paneling, and
   overflow of folding chairs and tables had made it a less-than-solemn place to remember friends
   and loved ones lost in Lebanon.

All that changed when Deb Fisher took over as director of the USO site. She said that the
   condition of the room was unacceptable and she set out to put together resources to create
   something that would better honor our fallen servicemembers. She enlisted the aid of several
   companies, including Lowe’s, Freedom Furniture of Jacksonville, Walmart, and Coaster
   Companies of America. Together, they donated building materials and furnishings. 35 Lowe’s
   employees volunteered the labor.

BVA’s Contribution.

As a tribute to our friends and loved ones, BVA thought it appropriate to sponsor granite plaques
   bearing the names of those killed in Beirut, accompanied by the seals of the Marine Corps, Navy,
   and Army. The plaques join together to form a large, dignified way of honoring the fallen.

The cost of the plaques was substantial, at nearly $1,000. Because BVA is a relatively small
   veterans’ organization whose only source of income is membership dues, we are not as
   financially well-off as other, larger organizations. As such, we need your help.

You Can Help.

If we can encourage a large number of our members to make a donation of $25 to help us defray
   the cost of the memorial plaques we can meet the challenge in short order. We know that times
   are tough, so anything you can afford—more or less—would be appreciated.

To make it easy, you can make your donation on line at here by clicking on the PayPal link.

Otherwise, you can pay by check and send it to: BVA TREASURER STEVEN GODFREY 25 GRANGE PK. BRIDGEWATER MASSS 02324 PLEASE MAKE ALL CHECKS PAYABLE TO "BVA"

Camp Lejeune, Jacksonville, and the USO are among the few who remember our comrades’
   service and sacrifice. Please help us to help them honor these brave men, our friends and loved
   ones.