Do you think the Women in Military Service Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery should be allowed to close?

2016-11-15T08:02:28-05:00

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Women_s-Memorial-Arlington-National-Cemetery-at-Risk-of-Closing_Washington-DC-400892731.html

Women's Memorial at Risk of Closing

A women's memorial at Arlington National Cemetery is in jeopardy. Northern Virginia Bureau Reporter David Culver spoke with women who are campaigning to keep the memorial open.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 15 at 2016 8:12 AM

2016-11-15T08:12:38-05:00

Heck no. I was just there inside that Memorial this summer for a reception party before the USMC Sunset Parade when one of the friends was the guest of honor for the parade. The memorial stands not only to honor our sisters-in-arms but more importantly, as a beacon to women that they are able to hang with men.

Response by Col Bill Marrs made Nov 15 at 2016 8:28 AM

2016-11-15T08:28:54-05:00

No it should not close. All of us in military service should know that budgets ebb and flow for everything not mission critical.
The discussion of whether or not it should close is fine if we are trying to gauge public interest. However, if we want preservation, assure the growth of a trust for that purpose. My family's heritage is rich with men and women in military service. I will continue to be interested in the recognition of everyone's service.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Nov 15 at 2016 8:34 AM

2016-11-15T08:34:26-05:00

Wasn't even aware this was an issue, thanks for posting. No, it would be an absolute travesty to allow this to happen. Women have played a vital role in the military for as long as there has been a military. If funding is an issue, ALL military organizations need to step up with information and funding campaigns to make the public aware of the situation. I think that most Americans aren't aware that most memorials are run and maintained by nonprofit organizations. The assumption is that the government is footing the bills.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Nov 15 at 2016 9:09 AM

2016-11-15T09:09:20-05:00

Oh hell no.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 9:16 AM

2016-11-15T09:16:02-05:00

Definitely not.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 9:21 AM

2016-11-15T09:21:15-05:00

No. I do not think the Women's Memorial should be closed.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 15 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-11-15T09:23:06-05:00

thats one that should stay open ... its as much a part of The History of The military and pays tribute to those where were there, as any of the other memorials...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 9:23 AM

2016-11-15T09:23:44-05:00

Col Rebecca Lorraine Thank you for sharing this, I had no idea this existed.

I sincerely hope it is not forced to close.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Nov 15 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-11-15T09:46:43-05:00

What is preventing the current president from naming it a national monument or some other category protected by the Federal Government?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-11-15T09:46:51-05:00

Can't view the video, but to answer the question....NO it should not be closed.

Response by PO3 Sandra Gomke made Nov 15 at 2016 10:09 AM

2016-11-15T10:09:29-05:00

Absolutely not!! What a shame!! Are you registered Colonel? I encourage all women vets and active duty to do so online. It's $25 to register and all moneys go to the Memorial.

http://www.womensmemorial.org/

Women In Military Service For America Memorial

Response by CPO Arthur Garcia made Nov 15 at 2016 10:53 AM

2016-11-15T10:53:29-05:00

No, No, No... they are our sister's in arms..

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 15 at 2016 11:06 AM

2016-11-15T11:06:09-05:00

It should remain open, Col Rebecca Lorraine.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Nov 15 at 2016 11:16 AM

2016-11-15T11:16:21-05:00

Why would it be at risk to close? The article was more than a little sparse on details and I can't access videos from my current computer.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Nov 15 at 2016 11:49 AM

2016-11-15T11:49:03-05:00

I have been to Arlington National Cemetery several times both as a visitor and representing my service. I never new that a Women in Military Service Memorial existed. I would have visited it. Thanks for sharing about this situation. Will try to learn more to make an informed decision on your question.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Nov 15 at 2016 12:07 PM

2016-11-15T12:07:00-05:00

It will be a disgrace to permit the Women in Military Service Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery to close, because Women in uniform has served and their service has been critical to the victories of our Nation in times of war and peace.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Nov 15 at 2016 1:06 PM

2016-11-15T13:06:44-05:00

Let's hope there are a lot of powerful private citizens, including some rich ones, who can come together & rescue this fine organization. There should be enough generous people out there to fully fund this organization. All they need is a few heavy-hitter fundraisers to get back on top again. Small donations won't do the trick. There are a number of fine organizations which are entirely or largely funded by private sources. This group can certainly do the same. Check out the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 15 at 2016 1:20 PM

2016-11-15T13:20:42-05:00

No. No freaking way should it be closed. Post that the Tomb of the Unknowns is going to be shut down and unmanned, tell them that JFK's fire will be put out, tell them that Arlington won't accept men and see what happens next. If you were short on cash before, you'll have a surplus now. Ohh I forgot, women are "second class" warriors unfit to be with men. Bullshit. If this was to close, it would reopen as something dedicated to men somehow. What does that tell you about what some think of women? This is plainly not right. Lee house wouldn't have this problem, so why should the Women's Memorial?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 2:01 PM

2016-11-15T14:01:11-05:00

Closing it would be a slap in the face to women who served. With all the freaking waste in the Federal budget. Just go through the Pig Book and they can easily find the money.

$66,550,000 for the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). You want to share your art with the world GREAT! Why are you using my tax dollars?
$10,000,000 for high energy cost grants within the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) which in the 1930's was set up to promote electricity to farmers. Is this really still an issue?

Otherwise, sorry WACs, WAVES, WASPs and Marine Corps Women's Reserve (MCWR) ...(Really USMC, no catchy acronym and no, BAM is not acceptable) and all others they can't "find" the money. That's just weak.

http://www.cagw.org/reporting/pig-book

2016 Congressional Pig Book | Citizens Against Government Waste

The Congressional Pig Book is CAGW's annual compilation of the pork-barrel projects in the federal budget. A "pork" project is a line-item in an appropriations bill that designates tax dollars for a specific purpose in circumvention of established budgetary procedures. To qualify as pork, a project must meet one of seven criteria that were developed in 1991 by CAGW and the Congressional Porkbusters Coalition.

Response by MSgt David Sperber made Nov 15 at 2016 2:53 PM

2016-11-15T14:53:01-05:00

No military memorials should EVER be closed...temporary or permanent.

Response by Col Rebecca Lorraine made Nov 15 at 2016 3:27 PM

2016-11-15T15:27:28-05:00

https://www.facebook.com/WomensMilitaryMemorialWIMSA/videos/ [login to see] 584703/
I enjoyed this video and the website. ( the initial link didn't work.)

The story of the Women in Military... - Women In Military Service For America Memorial | Facebook...

The story of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial.....Unsung Heroes....please donate today to save YOUR memorial!

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Nov 15 at 2016 4:15 PM

2016-11-15T16:15:18-05:00

Can't imagine that. A couple of our best SQD LDRs and PLs were female on our last deployment out front supporting the Infantry in route sanitization and crater repairs. Now that there is full integration it would be an even worse slap in the face to those who served.

Response by SPC Jill Drushal, RN, MA made Nov 15 at 2016 4:30 PM

2016-11-15T16:30:52-05:00

I am a Charter Member of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. My story was in their database before the building was completed. I certainly don't think it should be "allowed" to close or forced to close for lack of funding. I think stories like this should receive A LOT more media coverage. Most Americans would send donations if they knew there was an issue. However, I don't believe the WIMSA Memorial should have ever been privately funded.

There is a really simple answer to this question. Make the WIMSA Memorial administered by the National Park Service and publically funded, just as all US National Cemeteries are. If the National Park Foundation can afford to restore Arlington House, it can certainly afford to keep the Women's Memorial open.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 6:17 PM

2016-11-15T18:17:44-05:00

Col Rebecca Lorraine Ma'am, I was not ware that this was an issue. Women have a long history of proudly serving our country. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial should not be allowed to close. Below is their webpage:

http://www.womensmemorial.org/

Women In Military Service For America Memorial

Response by SSgt Zoe VanKleek made Nov 15 at 2016 8:57 PM

2016-11-15T20:57:15-05:00

No, women are a big part of military history. Im proud of my service.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made Nov 16 at 2016 7:39 PM

2016-11-16T19:39:38-05:00

It would be a shame if this memorial were to close. There should be groups all over the country raising funds for this memorial.... Every VSO should know about this yet as a local Commander of an American Legion Post I'm just learning of it...

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Nov 19 at 2016 9:46 AM

2016-11-19T09:46:31-05:00

I think if someone stepped up and got the word out to the public about it closing, things would change for the better.

Response by SMSgt Roy Dowdy made Nov 19 at 2016 12:53 PM

2016-11-19T12:53:44-05:00

It's a good resource for archive material, utilized it for my PhD dissertation.

Response by Sgt Pat Tracy made Nov 20 at 2016 11:25 PM

2016-11-20T23:25:35-05:00

No it should not be closed. I am proud of all my sisters.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2017 10:10 AM

2017-11-09T10:10:54-05:00

Of course not!!! And what a lot of people don't know is that it's the first thing they see when they drive up to ANC. It's a great place to visit to get a better understanding of what women have contributed to throughout the years.

Response by SCPO Lloyd Sikes made May 27 at 2023 8:18 PM

2023-05-27T20:18:01-04:00

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I just returned from a Nevada Honor Flight and closing any Armed Forces Memorial would be a travesty. We visited the WWII, Korean, the Wall, FDR, Woman's, Navy and Arlington Memorials, among others. And to close them you would have to trample thousands of citizens. If money is what is needed, try our elected officials allowances, close their barber shop, beauty shop, private commissary, Exchange, cut their number of aids. As usual, cut the military or their earned entitlements first.