Mike Gregoire and state veterans return restored tapes to flood-ravaged Veterans Memorial Museum

For Immediate Release: February 7, 2008

OLYMPIA � First Gentleman Mike Gregoire today delivered restored oral history tapes of Washington state veterans from World War I through the Vietnam War to the Veterans Memorial Museum in Chehalis. The tapes were damaged in December�s floods. Gregoire was joined by John Lee, director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs.

�These priceless tapes contain the memories of our beloved veterans, many who now belong to the ages,� Gregoire said. �We must always remember their devotion to duty and faithfulness to America, and not let these valuable recollections be lost to history. I am so pleased that my fellow veterans of this state rallied to this cause in such a timely fashion to repair the damage done by the flooding.�

More than 61 VHS tapes and three cassette tapes were damaged in the Lewis County disaster. The tapes contained interviews with state veterans, as well as recordings of other programs held at the museum, including Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor tributes. Each tape was carefully cleaned of mud, dried, and then converted to DVD and CD formats. The total cost of repair was $2,261.

The repairs were approved by the Governor�s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee (VAAC) last month and paid for out of the Veterans Emblem Fund (VEF).

�When Mike Gregoire stepped up and challenged the veterans community to lend a hand with the problem in Chehalis, the VAAC knew exactly what course of action to take,� Lee said. �The VEF program was originally set up to insure that funds received from the sale of veteran emblems on license plates are used for projects that pay tribute to living veterans and to those who have died defending freedom in our nation�s wars and conflicts. I can think of no finer use of these funds than to do what we have done to restore this collection of heroes who now rest in honored glory.�

�I am grateful to Mike Gregoire, John Lee and the Governor�s Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee for their assistance,� said Lee Grimes, founder and museum director. �It is a great relief to have this important collection back at the museum so that historians and the public will have the opportunity in the years ahead to gain from the insight of these wise and brave veterans.�

The museum is scheduled to re-open in the spring. If you would like to make a donation, please send it to the Veterans Memorial Museum, 100 S.W. Veterans Way, Chehalis, WA 98532.

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