The
People of Fredericksburg The
only place to learn about the People of the Fredericksburg area
Every few months, we will feature a special person from the Fredericksburg area. This
person does not have to be famous or have an important job, this person
just has to have a special talent or be involved in the community. Send
your ideas, nominations and suggestions via our contact us page.
Ruth Coder Fitzgerald
Fredericksburg
Ruth
Coder Fitzgerald and I spoke very briefly the first time we met but it
was easy to see she was articulate, easy going and oh, so proud of her
grandchildren. For those reasons it was a cinch to see why one of
her friends nominated her for person of the month. Now let us read
on to see why else she was nominated.
She is actively involved
in the City of Fredericksburg happenings. She is a freelance writer
with articles appearing in The Free Lance-Star (Town and Country section).
She has spent a lot of time researching much of the Fredericksburg area’s
history which has prompted her to write a book, “A Different Story: A Black
History of Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania”. (To see a
brief informational ask for her brochure, African American History of Spotsylvania,
VA at the Fredericksburg Visitor’s Center).
Her writing, however, is
not the focus of this write up, it is her work on the Vietnam War in Memory
Memorial.
This memorial is really important
to her, as it hits close to home for her. You see her brother was
a causality of the Vietnam War. Not in the sense that you may think
though. He died from Agent Orange in 1992. His death really
made it clear to her just how many people have suffered and currently continue
to suffer.
She felt compelled to find
a way to honor those people who gave so much.
She has actively pursued
and lobbied for The Vietnam Veterans Memory Memorial. (See http://www.abmc.gov/abmc7.htm
for more information on the plaque). Granted she did not do all of the
work alone but she is currently the President of The Vietnam War in Memory
Memorial, Inc. As of this writing it does look like the Memorial
will be a reality for those who have lost their loved ones, due to Vietnam
War illnesses, to honor them. (One of the last hurdles will be collecting
enough private donations).
So what is this “ The Vietnam
Memory Memorial”? It will be a plaque, in Washington DC, near the
other memorials honoring those who have served our country. It will
honor those Vietnam Veterans who returned home from ‘Nam alive but have
or will succumb to service related causes. (Agent Orange, Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder to name a few).
The plaque will offer “ symbolic
recognition” to those who gave so much and have received so little in return
for their service.
Ruth and I spent some time
discussing Vietnam and agreeing that those who gave so much deserve to
be remembered. Please help her help those who are still looking for
some closure.
Please, if you know someone
who has fought in the Vietnam War, make a donation. It does not matter
the size, all of it will go towards making the plaque a reality and honoring
those who gave so much only to be ridiculed upon on their return.
The Vietnam War in Memory Memorial, Inc. is raising funds to obtain the
plaque and can only do so with your private donation.
Editors note: We are always
looking for people to feature in our People of Fredericksburg section
of SimplyFredericksburg. If you know someone that would make a great person to feature, please contact us here
We
hope that you enjoyed this feature. Previous issues are available
online.
Send your ideas, nominations and suggestions via our contact us page.
The
People of Fredericksburg The
only place to learn about the People of Fredericksburg a
service of Simply Web Services
Ruth
Coder Fitzgerald and I spoke very briefly the first time we met but it
was easy to see she was articulate, easy going and oh, so proud of her
grandchildren. For those reasons it was a cinch to see why one of
her friends nominated her for person of the month. Now let us read
on to see why else she was nominated.
