Wheels Are Turning! Great War Aviation Memorial Committee members...

Vic: Let's not computerize the plaque and make propaganda for the forum. We should do that in a small brochure, for the mayor to give out to tourists and visitors. Billy H.

Greetings Michael Luke Mills: I do not feel that it is appropriate to ask family members to contribute to this memorial, only their good wishes and presence...Billy H.02/04/2000.

[stephen]

Based largely on the thoughts expressed by GWAMC members on this thread and previous correspondences with many of you over the past two years, here are my thoughts AT THIS POINT. I am still open to more suggestions and may alter these directives later, so the issue is not closed and I still solicit more opinions... but SO FAR:

1) We'll reprint the exact original wording of the text with ONE MINOR CHANGE - the words "(United States Air Service)", in parentheses, should be inserted after Luke's name. There is nothing whatsoever in the original text to indicate Luke's nationality. Otherwise, the text will be identical and unchanged.

2) A very small line at the bottom of the plaque will read simply "plaque restored by the Great War Aviation Memorial Committee and the people of Murvaux, November (?), 2000."

3) the name of each member of the GWAMC, as well as Lil and other supporters will be on file with the town. Serious researchers who want to know more about the effort will surely look in the most obvious place for it and find it there. And remember the petition Scott put up for me last year? There were over 300 people on it, and there's no way I'd feel right about putting the names of only myself and a few others on the plaque. Each of those 300+ people had an impact, and that petition DID get the mayor's attention and was the impetus behind everything that's happening now. Lil suggested putting some names on it, but i respectfully disagree for those reasons and will only put names on file with the town.

3) We will (eventually) give two items to the town of Murvaux: a set of brochures for visitors (Billy's idea and a brilliant one) which can be reprinted or resupplied when needed, and a full set of original documentation on the Sept 29th fight (which I am now in the process of procuring, but that's another story).

4) I will consider opening an escrow account if we determine that the GWAMC will continue to exist beyond this project, which is the purpose for its existence. But this will remain a small and manageable effort - I'm already in way over my head. Also, I absolutely will not oversee any sort of unveiling. I'll oversee and set the date for the plaque's mounting... anything beyond that will have to be arranged by someone else (and you're welcome to do so!!!). I can't do everything and can't bankrupt myself over this... trying to do too much is a disservice to everyone and I want our goals to remain small, specific and achievable.

5) and now for the million dollar question... what should the future of the GWAMC be? or should there be one? Billy has made a generous offer, and its tempting to start considering other future efforts (I've already been asked to start half a dozen other projects, but absolutely will NOT until this is 100% complete). GWAMC members... what think ye? Keep those comments coming!

That's the way it looks so far, guys.

[Barrett]

Looking downrange, we might begin assessing the condition of other WW I aero monuments such as the Lafayette Memorial, etc. Those sites not covered by the American Battle Monuments Commission (or similar organizations under other governments) logically would be best served by any future efforts.
Anyway, the dedication and progress demonstrated by this effort is cause for nothing but pride and optimism. I cannot think of a similar selfless, worthy goal undertaken by so many fine folks who (with a handful of exceptions) have not even met one another.
Good on ya, gang.

[stephen]

Read a new thread on the Lafayette Memorial... keep this one going as is.

Billy H
The URL thing was just I thought. I like the idea of a brochure or a list of names some where in the town hall. Having the names of each and every one of the members available to visitors is not nearly as important as getting the plague back on.

VBR
Vic

Vic,

I seriously doubt that the villagers of Murvaux would like to see the "plague" returned (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Great news on the "plaque" though! Good work, Stephen, Billy, and the rest of the GWAMC.

Rich

Rich
I Knew it! It just looked wrong after I hit the submit button. Please forgive my second language "struggelings" I will go and write down a hundred times: "Give 'em the plaque not the plague"

VBR
Vic