The Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas, a 501(c)(3)

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1 VETERANS WALL OF HONOR N E W S L E T T E R M A R C H The Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas, a 501(c)(3) organization, was formed in 2001 by a group of seven veterans from VFW Post 9063 and American Legion Post 341 in Bella Vista, Arkansas. Their mission was to honor all veterans from any conflict or war from 1776 to the present. Unlike many monuments and memorials, the Bella Vista Veterans Wall of Honor is not dedicated to any particular service or conflict. The names inscribed in the wall (4,848) are put there by the veterans themselves or by their families and friends. Thank you for your participation. The Wall of Honor was dedicated on November 6, 2004 with 3500 names before a large crowd. The recent rededication, on September 8, 2012, took place upon completion of the final two circular walls with the final 336 names. There are now 28 circular walls with 4848 names. There is no room for further expansion. This was the final expansion since In addition to the three expansions to the memorial, the Council remedied the continuing leaching problem to the walls by moisture. Special stone caps were installed on top of the 28 circular walls in 2011 to seal them from rainwater. The current Veterans Council is made up of 11 directors who meet monthly. Their purpose is to keep the memorial beautiful. Since its inception, twenty-eight volunteer directors have served on the Council. Directors serve for three-year terms. Welcome to the Veterans Wall of Honor in Bella Vista, Arkansas. The fountain is the focal point at the center of the monument. At the Wall of Honor, a directory is available listing all veterans names and the location of their plaques. The directory is found in the podium inside the memorial. The Bella Vista Garden Club maintains the landscaping at the entrance to the Wall of Honor. Brochures describing the features of the memorial are available at the Wall, and other locations in Bella Vista. These brochures are also available at 13 Arkansas Travel Welcome Centers. The Council maintains a website, where you can view events and programs. Guided tours, which last approximately 30 minutes, are conducted the third Saturday of the month at 10:00 a.m. To schedule a special guided tour or to make a tax-deductible donation, contact the Veterans Council at: Guided tour on Veterans Day for children from nearby Cooper Elementary School by Director Jerry Moyer. Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas P.O. Box 3085 Bella Vista, AR Sponsored by Guided tour by former Director Bill Dieleman with group from American Legion Post 100 in Rogers, Arkansas.

2 Directors Gary Aaron and Robert Rishel, after ushering, enjoyed the U.S. Army Band concert in Bentonville. The seven original directors at the future site of the planned memorial Arvest Bank donation to the memorial. Veterans Day event at Cooper Elementary School in Bella Vista. Directors Tim Hull and Jerry Moyer flank school principal Matt Young.

3 Directors Jeff McFarland and Jerry Moyer, after ushering, enjoy a patriotic concert. Brass band playing patriotic tunes on September 11, 2011 at the Memorial. Contractor Randell James installing the final 336 honoree granite tablets on the last two walls of the Memorial. Former Director Forrest Strickler and Director Andy Anderson welcoming Pearl Harbor survivor at a God Bless America event. Forrest Strickler leads the Honor Guard to a Veterans Day event at the memorial. Directors Jim Sperry and Leo Scaturro cleaning the fountain at the Memorial.

4 Bella Vista Garden Club members keeping the Memorial beautiful. Veterans Council President Herb Thomas (right) presenting Rex Hickox an award for three years of service. Tour group from United Lutheran Church of Bella Vista. U.S. Congressman Steve Womack speaks at the September 2012 dedication upon completion of the final two walls for 336 honoree granite tablets. Keith Wood of the Golaway Group plays patriotic music at a Flag Day event at the Memorial. Cub Scout pack 341 at Veterans Day event at the Memorial.

5 Bella Vista Veterans Honor Guard at Veterans Day event at the Memorial. Cub Scout bikers from Rogers, Arkansas on a tour of the Memorial with Director Leonard Eisert. Gloria Sperry, Recording Secretary for the Veterans Council and an officer in the American Legion Post 341 Ladies Auxiliary presents a donation to Veterans Council President Bill Sharp. Bella Vista Mayor Frank Anderson, Herb Thomas, Veterans Council President and Bella Vista POA General Manager Tommy Bailey at patriotic event.

6 Former Veterans Council President Dick LaBrie goes over plans with architect Vern Watten and Lou Jones of Nabholz construction. Former Director Dick LaBrie at a fundraiser at Riordan Hall in Bella Vista Directors Jim Sperry and Leo Scaturro working to clean up the Memorial after a flood. Postcard fundraiser at Allen s Food Store in Bella Vista. Pictured (L-R): Steve Morrow, Manager, Allen s Foods, Bob Pigott and Charlie Wentworth.

7 Benton County Master Gardener Tony LiCausi, U.S. Navy veteran, trimming one of the ten ornamental plum trees that surround the fountain at the Memorial - January Directors Gene Roy and Robert Rishel escorting Margaret Christensen at God Bless America event. Veterans History project with Directors Bill Miller, Bob Pigott, Bob Johnson and Jim Sperry. Veterans Council President Herb Thomas presents an award of appreciation to Paul Herrick for his service on the Veterans Council. Directors Leo Scaturro and Tim Hull at a Welcome Home Veterans event at Fayetteville, Arkansas - March Director Vernon Watten, designer of the Veterans Memorial Wall.

8 Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas P.O. Box 3085 Bella Vista, AR Address Service Requested NonProfit Org US Postage Paid Permit No. 14 Rogers AR Veterans Council February 20, 2013 Herb Thomas, President Gary Aaron Andy Anderson Leonard Eisert Tim Hull Jeff McFarland Jerry Moyer Robert Rishel Gene Roy Leo Scaturro Jim Sperry Kitty Casanova, Recording Secretary Please help fund ongoing education and maintenance programs by making a tax-deductible donation to Veterans Wall of Honor. For more information, or to schedule a guided tour contact Herb Thomas at (479) Take a self-guided tour of the monument anytime at 101 Veterans Way, Bella Vista, AR. You can also visit us online at