Music and Poetry Tribute at The Vietnam Wall

Music and Poetry Tribute at The Wall To Feature Over 20 Original Compositions Honoring Vietnam Veterans 

Washington, D.C. – The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has invited musicians, singers and poets to take the stage on Nov. 6 to perform their original compositions at the Music and Poetry Tribute to Vietnam Veterans, featuring Keni Thomas and his band Cornbread, announced Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. 

The Music and Poetry Tribute will take place on the East Knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  It will feature performances by 20 poets, musicians and singers whose original compositions honor the 3 million who served in Vietnam and the more than 58,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.          

Country music artist, former Army Ranger and son of a Vietnam Veteran Keni Thomas and his band Cornbread will headline the Music and Poetry Tribute.  Thomas fought as a member of the elite Task Force Ranger assault unit in Somalia, recounted in the book and motion picture “Black Hawk Down.” He has toured Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait on the USO’s “Hope and Freedom” tour and will be starting a new USO tour in December…

In addition to headlining concerts nationwide, Thomas has opened for country singers Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lee Ann Womack, Toby Keith, Wynonna, Tracy Byrd and Lonestar.  His song, “Alabama Home,” is the official theme song for the Talladega Speedway’s 2007 racing season. Keni Thomas and Cornbread were featured in the movie, “Sweet Home Alabama” with Reese Witherspoon.

Crossroads Northern Virginia will also be performing at the Music and Poetry Tribute. The group was featured during the ceremony for the 25th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial last March.

“Since its dedication 25 years ago, The Wall has inspired countless individuals to create poems and songs of healing, remembrance and honor,” said Scruggs.  “Now, those who have been inspired can perform their personal tributes and inspire others.”

The Music and Poetry Tribute performers include:

• Ivy Bigbee – Centreville, Va.
• Patrick Broyles – Emporia, Kan.
• Judy Campbell – Wilmongton, Del.
• Elvis Carden – Palmetto, Ga.
• Ed Carey – Ballston Lake, N.Y.
• Filiberto Conde – Rancho Viejo, Texas
• Maurice Davis – Hoboken, N.J.
• Cal Featherly – Minong, Wyo.
• Danetta Finney – Chadwick, Mo.
• Allen Fowler – Cerrillos, N.M.
• Douglas P. Hastings – Heph, Ga.
• Dave Hutchinson – Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
• Bob Jacques – Shrewsbury, N.J.
• Ann Judy – Stafford, Va.
• Judy Gorman King – White Bluff, Tenn.
• Alvey R. Pelletier – Norway, Maine
• Tom Tabor – Springfield, Va.
• Benny T. Villa, Jr. – Hampstead, N.C.
• Susan Wiseman – Riverdale, Ga.
• Tom Yarborough – Jupiter, Fla.
    
  The Music and Poetry Tribute to Vietnam Veterans is free and open to the public. A limited number of complimentary 25th anniversary commemorative programs will be distributed to those in attendance. 

The Music and Poetry Tribute begins a week of special events commemorating the 25th Anniversary of The Wall.  Other activities include the four-day Reading of the Names at The Wall, from Nov. 7-10, and the annual Veterans Day Ceremony at The Wall on Nov. 11. For more information on these events, visit: www.vvmf.org. 

The 25th Anniversary of The Wall events have been made possible by the support of the following corporations, groups and individuals: Lockheed Martin, API Energy, Boeing, Capital Hilton, Comfort Systems USA, Disabled American Veterans, FedEx, Gregory C. Jewell, Rick Lieb, The McCormick Tribune Fund, Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Morrison, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Established in 1979, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to build the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Today, through a series of outreach programs, it is dedicated to preserving the legacy of The Wall, promoting healing, educating about the impact of the Vietnam War and is building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, an underground educational facility, near The Wall.

Susan D. Wiseman 

Susan, also known as, " The Tribute Lady " via her free online Music Ministry has performed for thousands of veterans, 9/11, police, firefighters, 9/11 – 5th Anniversary Ceremony Events, Traveling Wall,  Pearl Harbor Survivors, Vietnam DUSTOFF Medivac Members, Fort Hood soldier event, military personnel, & memorials over the past several years,  since her youngest son enlisted in the Army in 2004, and, many military related tributes have came from the heart of this soldier’s mom…including the song which is now the foundation of her online Music Ministry, titled, "It Is The Soldier" … her "cry" to God on behalf of her son.

Her son, SPC David Dale deployed to Iraq in 2006, and, recently received the Purple Heart after returning wounded in May 2007.

All of Susan’s music is FREE to stream/download via her website.  Nothing is sold. 

All CDs are NO Charge, as well as all performances are on a volunteer basis & by request.  She makes as many cds as she is able for each event & freely gives them to others at her performances…including 1,000 cds given to the 9/11 families on the 5th Anniversary of 9/11, at the Dedication Ceremony of America’s 9/11 Victim’s Quilt’s induction into the World Trade Center’s museum.

There are over 75+ songs under the "Free Downloads" section of her homepage … www.TheTributeLady.com If you would like to download her music, please go to www.Soundclick.com/SusanDWiseman.com  and then, click "Music" link.

Susan is not a trained musician, her ability to write lyrics/melodies are in her own words, a "Gift of Song" from God, nothing she can take any credit for herself, she states.

She feels that God has called her to "give back," therefore, she freely gives & shares her music with anyone desiring to listen, as well as, allowing others to use her songs on various websites/personalpages/compilation CDs for charities with permission, provided proper copyright info is given.

Susan states she can only write when moved/led/inspired & never knows "if" or "when" that will happen.

All her songs come from her deep faith in God.

Many of her songs have  been inspired by 9/11, veterans, fallen soldiers, police, such as fallen Atlanta Police Red Dog Team Officer Mark Cross, firefighters, the loss of her son’s good friend in IRAQ, CPL John Paul Barta, her fallen cousin Guy Lamar Mears, Jr. in Vietnam, and, many songs from the heart of a soldier’s mom, inspired by the pride & honor she feels for her son, SPC David Dale.

All CDs are NO Charge, her performances are on a volunteer basis, by request.

"My music is my personal ‘THANK YOU’ to ALL those who serve this GREAT NATION!"

"This will be the greatest honor of my life, to stand before The Wall, in Loving Memory of my cousin…for such a historic event … and, to sing the song that he inspired, on behalf of all our family & a grateful nation for the life, service & sacrifice of not only my cousin, but, ALL those on The Wall."   

Susan D. Wiseman – " The Tribute Lady " www.TheTributeLady.com

In Loving Memory… of my cousin
Guy Lamar Mears, Jr.
Vietnam Casualty – KIA – October 17, 1970

" 6 WEST – LINE 5 " – (Go There for Me)

From sunrise to sunset… line after line,
Thousands… of names on a wall,
Stand frozen… in time.

Thousands of stories… that will never be told,
Thousands… of young men and women;
Who will… never… grow old.

For their sunrise and sunsets… were a much different time,
When… by the tens of thousands;
They came… lived… and, died.

Young lives… caught in a balance,
Somewhere between Heaven… and, Hell;
In a place… where honor and glory… would… cover… our dead.

Each one of those fallen… now, a name… on “The Wall,”
In the order… they fell;
Before you, now… standing tall.

So, each time… you come here,
Would you… fall… to “your” knees;
And, when you rise… Salute them… ALL,
And, would you… “Touch One”… for me?

" 6 West – Line 5 "
Just one name… you’ll see,
Long after… I’m gone;
Would you… go there… for me?

Tell him… “I Loved Him”
Tell them… you’re FREE,
Don’t let them… be… forgotten;
Go there… for me!

From sunrise to sunset … I know there’ll be line after line,
By the thousands they’ll come… to “This Wall”;
And, reflect… on that time.

And, when the day comes…
Not one comes… who… knows them by name,
Tell them… for us… not one died… in vain!

From East to West
For each name… that you see,
Long after we’re gone;
Go there… for me!

Tell them… “We Loved Them”
Tell them… you’re FREE!
Don’t let… it… be… forgotten,
That… FREEDOM… IS… NEVER… FREE!

www.GoThereForMe.com  

©Copyright – October 2004

Susan D. Wiseman – "The Tribute Lady"

To learn more about Susan or hear her music, go to any of the following links.

• www.TheTributeLady.com
• www.ItIsTheSoldier.com 
• www.MessagesForDavid.com
• www.MySpace.com/susandwiseman

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