American Battle Monuments Commission Thanks Walter Cronkite for His Support of the World War II Memorial Fundraising Effort

    WASHINGTON, July 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Battle Monuments
 Commission today announced its appreciation to Walter Cronkite, one of
 America's most distinguished journalists, for his participation in the
 fundraising effort to build the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in
 Washington, D.C.
     "We are very pleased that Mr. Cronkite has demonstrated his support for
 the World War II Memorial," said Maj. Gen. John Herrling USA (Ret),
 secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC).  "More than 50
 years after the end of the war, America is building a National Memorial to
 honor the courage and sacrifices of a generation of Americans who won the
 war that forever changed the course of human history."
     Cronkite's extensive reporting of World War II spanned from covering the
 Allied troops' invasion of North Africa in 1942 and participating as one
 of the first newsmen in B-17 raids over Germany to covering the German
 surrender.
     In a letter to Americans across the country, Cronkite wrote, "This is a
 cause that should be important to every American.  Commemorating a remarkable
 generation of Americans and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice
 to guarantee our freedom is essential to assuring the future of our
 democracy."
     Private donations from individuals, foundations, corporations, veterans
 and civic organizations will fund the construction and maintenance of the
 memorial.  The World War II Memorial will be constructed on a 7.4-acre site at
 the east end of the Reflecting Pool between the Lincoln Memorial and the
 Washington Monument on the National Mall.  On Veterans Day of 1995 President
 Clinton dedicated the memorial site in a formal ceremony during which the soil
 from 14 overseas World War II cemeteries was sprinkled over the site.
     The winning design of architect Friedrich St.Florian was selected among
 403 entries through an open, national competition and was unveiled in a White
 House ceremony in January.
     The ABMC is a federal agency responsible for the public and private
 efforts to construct the proposed World War II Memorial.  It provides
 administration, care and maintenance for 24 U.S. military cemeteries outside
 the U.S. and 27 monuments in the U.S. and overseas.
     For more information about the memorial, contact:
      American Battle Monuments Commission Arlington Court House Plaza II
                              2300 Clarendon Blvd.
                              Arlington, VA  22202
                             or call:  800-639-4WW2
 
 

SOURCE  American Battle Monuments Commission