Strategic Plan - The American Veterans Heritage Center

The American Veterans Heritage Center & Dayton
VA Campus 2013 Strategic Plan
Background
The American Veterans Heritage Center (AVHC) is an independent non-profit organization located
on the Dayton VA Campus. It was founded with the goal of raising public and private awareness
of: (1) veterans’ contributions, (2) patriotism, and (3) efforts to restore the Dayton Soldiers Home
historic facilities. The organization has targeted several structures for restoration and is working
closely with local and national VA officials to complete this work.. Additionally, the AVHC with its
dedicated board members, volunteers and partners, is developing a complementary education
program for regional schools, an exciting series of museum and preservation facilities for the VA
campus, and a revitalization project that could help to stimulate economic growth across the
region. The goal of the AVHC is not simply to preserve history but to breath life into it and to
harness Dayton's rich military legacy as a springboard for revitalization, education and inspiration
to all those who live, work or play in the Miami Valley region.
1
SECTION I - Strategic Plan
Executive Summary
Long known as the "Gem City," Dayton's true unpolished gem is its on-going contribution to
American freedom through support for the U.S. military. The city, its residents, and its
business/industry have played key roles in numerous national defense and national pride initiatives,
including, but not limited to, Wright Patterson Air Force Base's aeromedical contributions to the
American space program, Monsanto's involvement in the Manhattan Project, NCR's World War II
manufacturing efforts and role in breaking the Enigma code, Dayton's status as 'birthplace of
aviation' and all its subsequent military and civilian aerospace contributions, and- of course- the
role of the sprawling Dayton VA campus as a
birthplace of veteran medical care in the United States. But these historic achievements don't even
begin to scratch the surface of what the Miami Valley has done and been...and what it can be again.
On the surface, this strategic plan is a document that proposes the restoration of historic structures on
the Dayton VA campus. Additionally, it ties in the creation of new public facilities/non-profit entities on
the campus (within the aforementioned restored structures), as well as a campus-based educational
initiative and a variety of on- and off-campus community outreach projects
- and it s e e ks t o
l e v e r a ge t he O c t obe r 20 12 D e p a r t me n t of I nt e r i o r de s i gn a t i o n of t he c a mp u s as a
National Historic Landmark. But this strategic plan does not merely manifest the American Veterans
Heritage Center's (AVHC) desire to work closely with VA officials to revitalize the Dayton campus;
rather, it envisions a much larger cooperative effort that revitalizes the entire Miami Valley as it spurs the
destination dollars of heritage tourism, the economic stimulation of new or invigorated business and
industry, and the creative energies of citizens with renewed hope and opportunity.
This plan proposes utilizing the VA campus as the western underpinning of a heritage tourism and
'collaborative community' corridor stretching across the city and incorporating non-profits, National
Park areas, historic sites, business/industry, military, veterans services, and medical facilities that can be
marketed together as a coherent whole which will serve as an engine of economic development. We feel
strongly that our collaborative community concept, coupled with dynamic educational initiatives, can
and will help Dayton address its current need to stimulate job growth, beat back the specter of
recession, and strengthen the unity, initiative, and morale of our neighborhoods.
In the late 1800s, Dayton had more patents per capita than any other city in the nation. It has long been
a community of innovation and exploration. The combination of military, medical, technology, and
business/industry inspired a unique blending of the creative and financial capital of private industry, the
military and the government. While economic woes and business losses have plagued this community
2
in recent years, those losses can serve to motivate us, rather than define our defeat. After all, the patents
and innovations of yesterday did not spring from a vacuum ... rather, they grew out of a need; out of
a desire for something better. Dayton and the Miami Valley are, without question, in need of
something better. But it is not necessary to invent a new identity. It is only necessary to renovate
and unite the identities of old - and polish them with a 21st century luster.
While historic preservation and heritage tourism play a definitive role in this plan, they are by no means
the only element. Preserving history is noble, necessary and essential to the continuity of any evolved
society. But preservation as its own reward means little. While that statement may sound harsh, consider
this...a young disadvantaged student living in Dayton and struggling to understand his/her role in society
could not care less whether buildings on the VA campus have new ceilings and floors, whether Orville
Wright's notebook or Paul Laurence Dunbar's poems are carefully preserved in a glass case somewhere
on Third Street, or whether the parts and pieces of the Memphis Belle are being cataloged and restored
in a hangar on the East side of town. Historic preservation and heritage tourism truly mean something
only when they are used as a means to an end; when they become part of a larger community-wide
initiative; when they give back to the community via education, inspiration, motivation, and opportunity.
Tell that same aforementioned disadvantaged student that this preservation effort, this union between
past, present, and future, is going to change his or her life and create new realities and circumstances ...
THEN and only then does it begin to mean something. When the preservation project puts new, exciting,
and relevant materials into the classroom, it means something. When the preservation project inspires a
renaissance on the west side of Dayton as people gather once again on the VA campus for social
activities, entertainment, and inspiration, it means something. When the combined power of the Miami
Valley's private industry, military, medical, and government entities begins to generate new ideas,
technologies and digital initiatives, it means something. And when those innovations and technologies –
and the opportunities and employment born of them- become tangible for the citizens of Dayton, THEN
it means something.
That is why the AVHC has sought to define and develop a plan whose goal is not simply to dress up a
piece of real estate or preserve a stack of documents for posterity. The restoration goals of the AVHC
each have specific, practical objectives that will enhance the value of the VA campus to the community
- and will tie the campus and its initiatives to the goals and objectives of other entities in the Miami
Valley. Likewise, a l l of our objectives have specific educational and motivational benefits tied to
them. These benefits are designed to be shared with other institutions in the region and to be
augmented by inputs and innovations from the business, academic and medical communities.
3
The AVH C was started as a means to raise funds and awareness for restoration efforts on the VA Campus
and to honor and preserve the legacy of America's veterans. Those elements will always be the core of
our mission, but we are eagerly defining exciting new opportunities for expanding the impact of our
initiatives, working cooperatively with other Miami Valley organizations, and building a dynamic
economic future for this region. The pages that follow explain the changes we seek for the historic
Dayton VA campus – some of which are already completed - and how those changes and accompanying
initiatives and partnerships can and will create a collaborative community within the Miami Valley and a
vital new engine for economic development. We welcome and invite your comments and participation.
I. Our Vision - Why we exist
To preserve the assets and history of the Dayton VA Campus and make it the national archetype for
honoring and supporting America's veterans, through Preservation, Inspiration and Education (PIE), and
to build a collaborative community initiative that will educate, motivate, inspire and revitalize the region
for years to come.
Our "PIE" Vision:
Preserve...
The buildings, the heritage, and the history of the Dayton VA Campus, and the personal legacies and
recollections of America's veterans.
Inspire...
• Our community...to support and serve its veterans;
• Our veterans ...to support and serve each other, and to share their stories, experiences, and wisdom
with current and future generations; and,
• Our youth...to a higher calling of service on behalf of community, school, neighborhood, and
nation.
Educate...
•
Our nation ...about our veterans' legacy and the importance of honoring, thanking, and
supporting them;
•
Our youth ...about the service of our veterans, the joy of gaining knowledge, and the discovery of
their own potential to serve, to lead, to learn, and to not simply preserve history but to write their
own names in it; and,
• Our community...about the vital resource, the compelling history, and the essential mission that
thrives on the Dayton VA campus.
II. Our Mission - What we do
4
To endeavor daily to advance the cause of honoring our veterans, preserving their history and the history
of the Dayton VA Campus, while educating the public toward a greater understanding of America's rich
legacy of citizen service and sacrifice in the name of freedom. To achieve these goals, we will:
• identify and preserve specific historic facilities located on the Dayton VA Campus and make
them viable for organizations and services that will enrich the community and support the mission
and vision of the VA and the AVH C;
establish and operate on the Dayton VA campus an American Veterans Hall of Honor in cooperation
with the American Veterans Institute that celebrates its veteran inductees not only for their military
service but for how they used the lessons, tools, and experiences of that service for the betterment of
mankind;
• establish the American Veterans Research Library and/or the National VA Archives to capture
and preserve the history of the VA system and individual veteran histories as recorded through
memoirs, stories, articles, journals, diaries, letters, images, audio and video tape, and to see to it
that the
• materials preserved by this facility are digitized and accessible to the public;
welcome onto the campus and into our historic facilities a diverse assortment of organizations and
services that complement the VA's emphasis on serving body, mind, and soul and the AVHC's
emphasis on preserving, inspiring, and educating;
work to establish and operate a variety of historic learning facilities such as a VA Medical Museum
that tracks the evolution of VA and military medicine, individual military museums that spotlight the
role Ohio has played in the development and support of the U.S. Armed Forces, and a Museum of
Military Innovation that traces the evolution of technology and innovative solutions developed by
the military and during wartime- and how those advancements have been used to enhance the
quality of life in the civilian sector here at home and around the world;
• work within the Greater Dayton community to build exciting new corporate, governmental,
and organizational partnerships that spotlight the innovation, creativity, heritage, and patriotism
of the Miami Valley and its wonderfully diverse population;
play both a leadership and supporting role in developing programs and initiatives that help enhance
the standard of living in the Miami Valley, through education, heritage tourism, and
cross-promotional efforts with for-profit, non-profit and historic preservation entities that will work
cooperatively to make Dayton a more appealing location for business and industry, as well as for
those seeking to raise families and embrace the American dream;
• use our veteran-based assets and resources to work closely with the academic community to build
programming and activities that will enhance state test scores and rankings for Miami Valley Schools
even as they expand student appreciation for American History, language arts, leadership skills,
science, math and technology, in addition to giving young people a greater understanding of the roots
of their freedom and the men and women who have sacrificed to preserve it; and,
• work to establish the VA campus as the thriving western anchor of a Dayton historic Heritage
5
• Corridor that will not only preserve the community's rich military heritage but will contribute to
an academic, professional and innovative rebirth of the region.
III.
History of the VA Campus an d the AVHC
The 382-acre Dayton VA Campus is not only America's largest VA campus (in terms of acreage), but
also an incredible wealth of local and national history. Since its founding 145 years ago, the Dayton
VA has hosted numerous American Presidents and dignitaries, and boasts an impressive assortment of
"firsts" that testify to the cultural and social impact of this sprawling facility.
In addition to being the "birthplace of VA medicine" the campus was also home to the first large scale
federal rehabilitation program, in which veterans received specialized vocational training, thus allowing
them to eventually leave the campus to become contributing members of society. Even more significant
is the Dayton VA's status as the first fully integrated federal facility. Over half a century before
America's military began its integration process, black and white veterans were thriving together on the
campus, with no regard to skin color. This is a significant achievement to preserve and promote, as
America observes the milestone of electing our first African-American President.
Other historical firsts range from the significant to the strange. The campus can lay claim to having the
first permanent church built on a VA campus (and the second church ever built by the U.S. government).
The Protestant Chapel (described in Section IV.A. I) was constructed in 1868, the year after Dayton
became the site for the Central Branch of the National Asylum for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. The
grounds are also home to the "first monkey house constructed on a VA campus" (leading to the
inevitable question "how many other monkey houses dot our nation's VA facilities?") The monkey house
was undoubtedly part of the zoo that flourished on the grounds
during the late 1800s. The colorful campus menagerie
included an aviary, deer, alligators, antelopes, bear, foxes
and a wolf, in addition to a full complement of livestock
such as cattle, hogs, sheep and chickens.
Veteran residents helped tend the livestock and care for the
more exotic four-legged residents. Likewise, the residents
took care of the campus grounds which were a popular
destination for local residents and tourists. The VA facility became an important cross-country stop for
traveling show companies that would entertain campus residents and members of the community alike.
Evening would find an enthusiastic crowd clustered around the ornate bandstand to hear the Home Band,
which was popularly regarded as the second finest military band in the country, second only to the Marine
Band.
6
The Dayton VA campus was not only a bustling hub of social activity for the entire Miami Valley, but it
was a visible testament to America's concern for its veterans. As the years flew by, the sprawling campus
continued to thrive, but some of its structural and landscape attractions fell into disrepair. Funding cuts
and changes in the social climate of the Miami Valley meant fewer visitors, fewer residents, less need
which has translated into gardens, grounds, and buildings that have lost their usefulness. The campus has
become more isolated from the community. Most Miami Valley residents either don't know it is there or
don't realize and appreciate its unique history and somber beauty.
Since its founding in the late 1990s, the American Veterans Heritage Center, an IRS 501(c)3 non-profit ,
has sought to revitalize and restore some of the neglected buildings and geography on the campus.
Progress has been slow but steady and AVHC officials have devoted countless hours and energies to
advocating on behalf of the campus and working closely with VA officials to identify potential
restoration projects and available funding. The Home Chapel is one of the AVHC's success stories. We
obtained a 2001 Save America's Treasures matching grant that dedicated $130,000 to restore the chapel
floor, making it once again usable for a variety of activities. In 2012, the Dayton VAMC provided
appropriated funds to complete the chapel facility restoration, leaving only restoration of the Chapel organ as a future
objective. Likewise, the AVHC succeeded in working with the National Park Service and
Department of Interior to help the Dayton VAMC campus obtain National Historic Landmark
status in 2012.
As these restoration and preservation efforts evolve, we will be developing projects and activities to be
shared with the community and the schools, both on-campus and via collaborative outreach
programming across the Miami Valley.
IV. Strategic Pri orities
Our strategic priorities outlined below are broken into four key areas:
A. Capital Improvements,
B. Public Facilities & Activities,
C. Public Education; and,
D. Digital/Virtual Projects.
Each of these strategic priorities has a variety of associated initiatives that require prioritization. The
goal is to clearly define each initiative, its cost, its benefit to the community and the VA Campus, and the
potential funding resources that may bring the project to fruition.
7
IV. A . Capital I mprovements (R estoration Project) - Preserve
The buildings identified for restoration in this plan have national historic significance. They are part of a
larger AVHC/VA cooperative initiative to preserve campus buildings for adaptive re-use for non-profit,
academic, commercial and related enterprises. Adaptive re-use is a process that adapts old building (that
have outlived their original function) for new uses while retaining their historic features. Adaptive reuse
can be beneficial not only to historic preservation but to sustainable development, as well.
The entire process for adaptive re-use will be phased in as follows, with the identified buildings going
through each of these three phases : Phase 1 - Preparation of phase 2 and 3 construction documents
and structural stabilization I restoration to include the foundation system, structural walls and framing,
doors and windows, porches, and roofing system; Phase 2 – Interior rehabilitation to include walls,
ceilings, flooring, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection system, and fire and security detection
systems; and Phase 3 - Interior build-out for approved end use.
The projects have been prioritized below in numerical order, but it is the intention of the AVHC to pursue
funding for these projects simultaneously. In the event that it is necessary to prioritize, we will do so in the
order presented. The first restoration priority, recently completed, is the Protestant Chapel, also known
as the Soldier's Home Chapel, which was constructed by Civil War veterans between 1868 and 1870. The
Chapel, however, is merely the first step in a much larger undertaking to honor our nation's veterans. Also
on the priority list for the Capital Improvements initiative are: the 1871 Headquarters Building, the 1880
Patient Library (also known as the Putnam Library), and the 1881 Clubhouse.
The goal is to allow restored buildings to serve their original purposes - or a modem variation thereof when possible, especially the Chapel and the Library, or to introduce a new use that reflects the spirit
and/or purpose of the VA. Some of the uses proposed in this plan include: a national Veterans Hall of
Honor, a national veterans VA research facility, a museum documenting the history of VA medicine,
educational and conference facilities, office space for veteran-oriented organizations, space for veteran
owned businesses or organizations (VETS Town), and even commercial properties that are tied to historic
and/or veteran-oriented themes.
It is the goal of the AVHC to work closely with the VA, the Dayton business community, and other
regional non-profits and organizations in order to identify a "best use" strategy for restorable and/or
currently usable structures on the campus. Likewise, we must discuss with our partner organizations their
individual objectives for growth and revitalization, and tie those objectives into the overall plan for
marketing, promotions and fund-raising in an effort to spur economic development for the entire region.
While historic preservation is a priority, the overarching goal is to use such preservation as a springboard
to economic development, workforce development, and educational initiatives that will inspire and
8
motivate Miami Valley young people toward a greater appreciation for learning and for their own unique
potential- as well as helping them to embrace the concept of service to their school, community, and
fellow man.
Priority 1 - Protestant Chapel
Historical Significance: As the oldest building on the campus, the Protestant Chapel is rich with
history. It was once a gathering place for the community at large - and could be/should be again
with the proper restoration work. The Chapel was built in 1868, and is the first permanent chapel
ever constructed by the VA System and the second federally funded church. Dedicated October 26,
1870, the structure has Gothic architecture with limestone quarried from the VA grounds.
The building is a simple oblong with two projecting entrances at
one end and a 64' tower. At the other end is a slated spire that is
63' higher than the other. The east gable has a 14 x 27 stained glass
window. The interior seats about 600 people and offers a stunning
view of 5 stained glass windows. The original woodwork was of
walnut and ash. Originally, heating coils under the pews provided
warmth but they aggravated veterans' old leg wounds and were
removed in 1883.
The Chapel was used for both Protestant and Catholic worship
until1898 when the Catholic Chapel was built. Catholic services were held semi-monthly on Thursday
morning and were directed by community priests until Catholic priests were employed at the Home. At
the veterans' request, a German Baptist minister was hired to conduct German language services. Church
services were well attended by both veterans and citizens from the community.
By July 1998, the Chapel floor had deteriorated so much that it was closed to the public. AVHC's first
priority was to repair and restore the flooring to allow the building to re-open to the public. This was
done through a "Save America's Treasures" grant, allowing the facility to be used on a periodic basis for
funerals and related public gatherings. In 2012 the Dayton VAMC completed the facility restoration
project using Dayton VAMC appropriated funds, and weekly church services have resumed. All that
remains to be completed is the restoration of the historic pipe organ in the chapel
Total cost for pipe organ restoration: $175,000
Benefit to the Campus and Community: This beautiful old church is now a gathering place for any
number of religious and secular organizations. Indeed, it can now function as an inter-faith facility for
multi-denominational Christian organizations and perhaps even for Jewish activities on the VA campus.
Since there is no Synagogue on the campus there may be considerable value in terms of good will and
9
community participation in encouraging a Jewish presence and inter-faith activities. It might also open
up additional funding opportunities in terms of available restoration grants from private philanthropic
organizations.
Prior ity 2 - Administra tion Building
Historical Significance: Built in 1871, the Administration Building is the second oldest structure on the
campus and was originally known as the Headquarters Building, and housed the administrative offices
for the Central Branch officers. The offices of the VA Governor, Secretary, Treasurer and Adjutant
were located on the first floor. The Putnam and Thomas Libraries were located on the second floor and
were named for noted individuals. In 1891 both libraries were
moved to the Patient Library (see Priority 3) due to the need
for increased space.
The facility was remodeled numerous times over the years and
has been used as space for a variety of offices and organiza
tions including:
•
Domiciliary Officer and Domiciliary Office
Utility Officer
•
Supply Officer, Deputy Supply Officer, and Supply Office
•
VFW Office and Storage Room
•
DVA Office
•
Legal Department with Chief and Assistant Chief Attorneys
Special Services
Chaplain Service
Recreation Service
The Sentinel Office and Publication Room
Firing Squad Locker Room
Credit Union
• AFGE (Union)
Veterans Handicraft Store
The Headquarters Building was used until 1989 when AFGE and the Credit Union relocated to other
buildings.
Total cost for restoration: $4,660,000
Benefit to the VA Campus and Community: Just as the Headquarters building was once home to many
organizations and activities, it can and should be once again. Because the building offers many separate
rooms/offices, and is located near the entrance to the campus, this would be a logical location for office
10
space for various veteran-related organizations. The AVHC would like to work with the Dayton and
federal VA officials to define operational parameters for this kind of initiative;
11
Prior ity 3 - Pati ent Li brary /Putnam Library
Historical Significance: The Patient Library was erected in 1880 and was originally used as the Quar
termaster's Building. In 1891, it was converted into a library to house the Putnam and Thomas Libraries.
Both Libraries were originally kept in the Headquarters Building, but when the libraries accumulated so
many volumes that more space was needed, they were relocated.
The first floor was used as a reading room and circulation
area while the Putnam Library was placed on the second floor
and the Thomas Library, on the third floor. The Patient
Library was used as a library until May 2000; today it houses
the AVHC and a small volunteer-run military museum (The
Miami Valley Military History Museum) on the first floor.
Total cost for restoration: $4,936,000
Benefit to the VA Campus and Community: This structure
could be utilized as the American Veterans Research Library which is the sister facility to the
American Veterans Hall of Honor. In the event that the VA archives is moved to the Dayton campus
this building may or may not be sufficient to house it. But until such a determination is made, it is
critical to have a plan for the structure that will motivate and intrigue donors.
In addition to the research library concept, the private military museum could be expanded within this
facility, or blended with the Hall of Honor or the proposed military learning centers on "Doctor's Row."
As a research facility, this structure would be an ideal location for a dynamic "Military Melting Pot"
exhibit that emphasizes the military contributions of a broad spectrum of cultures and ethnicities . This
would be an important attraction for young people seeking to understand how their heritage has played
a role in shaping the United States Armed Forces. Through materials, interactive displays and
reference resources this exhibit would be tied to the Hall of Honor, the Research Library and the
campus educational initiatives.
Priority 4 - Clubhouse
Historical Significance: The Clubhouse Building is a three-story Renaissance Revival style building
with at full basement and a partial mezzanine floor. The building has brick walls and quoined corners on
12
a stone base . The main entrance has an elaborate, arched ornament with a fleur-de-lis sculpted in relief.
The second floor windows are colonnaded on all four sides. An exposed steel fire escape is at one side.
The roof is hipped asphalt shingles with metal gutters and deep eaves, with exposed ornamental rafters.
The building is separated into two sections by a central hallway. The northern section once housed the
billiard room that was overlooked by two tiers of galleries, with small rooms that were used for club
purposes. Two large halls occupy the southern section of the
building. The upper hall was used by veteran organizations
such as the Grand Army of the Republic, the Union Veteran
League, and the Naval Veterans Association. The lower hall
was once known as the Social Hall, and was used by members
for visiting, reading, writing, card playing, and chess.
Total cost for restoration: $2,600,000
Benefit to the VA Campus: This facility would eventually
house the American Veterans Hall of Honor and Museum,
which can and will be an attraction that draws the eyes of the nation to the Miami Valley and the Dayton
VA campus. Unlike many historic preservation facilities, the Hall of Honor will not simply preserve his
tory- it will USE that history and preservation as a means to inspire the future and build dynamic new
initiatives and leaders in the Miami Valley, the state of Ohio and beyond. Part of the appeal of the Hall of
Honor is that there has not been a national Veterans Hall of Fame or Hall of Honor established in the
United States.
The AVHC and partner organizations will initiate a targeted capital campaign at the local, regional, and
national level (see Marketing Plan) to raise the funds necessary to restore this beautiful structure and
establish the Hall of Honor. The restoration of the Putnam/Patient Library can and should be tied to this
effort. By promoting the specific goals tied to these two buildings, attention will be drawn to the overall
restoration initiative on the campus.
Building restoration is not easy to fund, especially in a slumping economy, unless there is a clear
and immediate use for the restored structures. The AVHC intends to not only work with the VA to
assign specific occupants and usages for the proposed restoration projects, but to also develop
detailed cost analyses, time lines, and benchmarks so that targets can be met (or exceeded) and
donors can follow the progress as their funding achieves its desired results. In fact, once the
restoration efforts ramp up, progress will be trackable on-line, via the AVHC web site, which will
not only keep donors up-to-date but will serve as a critical fund-raising tool and energize others
toward participation.
Additional Projects
13
As money and/or manpower become available, there are numerous other projects that should be
undertaken on the VA grounds through a cooperative effort between the AVHC, the VA, and other
private or public organizations. Restoration of the scenic Grotto is at the top of the list, as is the
rehab and use of the five attractive frame houses known as "Doctor's Row." These could be
restored to their former architectural glory and utilized as for recruiting activities, individual
museums, or educational facilities related to the five branches of the military.
Grotto & Grounds- Once a scenic centerpiece of the VA campus, the Grotto has been consumed
by nature and lack of attention; In 2012 we began the effort to restore it to its previous glory.
Using Dayton VAMC funds, and the time, labor and expertise of the Ohio State University
Extension Master Gardeners, we have made significant improvement in the Grotto’s
appearance. In July 2013, the Dayton VAMC hosted a ribbon cutting to officially “re-open”
the Grotto. Today the Grotto is being enjoyed by veterans and their families, and it is visible
to passers-by and creates a welcoming attraction to campus visitors. We will continue to work
with the VA and Master Gardeners to coordinate future grotto enhancements and maintenance
responsibilities.. We will also contact local Boy Scout Troops to determine if some aspect of Grotto
maintenance could be completed as one or more Eagle Scout projects (i.e. contact the Miami Valley
Boy Scouts of America with the idea of creating a huge, multi-Eagle project that brings together
Scouts from different neighborhoods and regions of the Miami Valley, each working on a separate
element of the project but working in unison toward the larger goal. It would be a great
opportunity to not only spotlight the VA campus but Scouting and the Dayton region as well).
Freedom House – Freedom House is being examined as a future site for VETS-Town, an initiative
to house veteran owned small businesses (VOSB) or disabled veteran owned small businesses
(SDVOSB) at reduced rental cost. This would be an incubator project for SDVOSBs and VOSBs where
local veterans can test out their business plans and operations for a period of 18-24 months before
taking the concept out into the private sector (for instance the veteran might sign a two-year lease
for establishing a service business such as an ac counting firm, marketing company etc.) During
that time he/she would operate the business on-site for reduced rent and with mentoring and support
from various VA and government agencies. Likewise, the AVHC would work with the VA, The
Center for Veterans Enterprise, AVI, veterans services offices, etc. to establish a veteran mentoring
program, where the incubator businesses would be paired with successful veterans in the region
who are running or have run similar types of businesses. It is advantageous for the Miami Valley to
support and nurture veteran-owned businesses and veteran employees. In 2008 a survey conducted by
the Society for Human Resource Management noted that over 90 percent of employers valued the
practice of hiring veterans because of their skills and, in particular, their "strong sense of responsibility
and teamwork." If this region is perceived as supportive of veteran-owned businesses and veteran
employees then it will enhance the national perception of the Miami Valley as pro business and as an
14
area that offers access to a competent, qualified work force. As with all aspects of this strategic plan our
goal is not to redefine the form and function of the VA campus but, rather, to update it for the 21st
Century. This incubator concept is directly tied to the Dayton VA's heritage as the site of the first federal
vocational training program. This type of cooperative initiative will not only spotlight the past but will
inspire a vibrant economic future.
Liberty House - Liberty House could be an ideal location for a Museum of Military Innovation. This
facility would offer a state-of-the-art exploration of how the military and combat situations have
necessitated and nurtured emerging technologies. It would look at the improvements in
transportation, weaponry, textiles, synthetics, communications and electronics that have been
initiated or refined through military use and/or under the extreme demands of the battlefield. The
objective would be to help civilians understand how defense dollars do not simply support war and
soldiers but can also lead to a better quality of life on the home front.
Walk of Fame – We are planning with the Dayton VAMC to “re-create” a historic walk way which
originally ran from the hospital to the chapel area, with the potential to extend the walk way to other
historic sites on campus. We envision a concrete walk-way (funded by the VA), which we would “edge”
with commemorative bricks to be sold to the public, and installed as sales progress.
Doctor's Row - One option for the five houses known as Doctor's Row is to dedicate each house to one
branch of service. Contained within that house would be a recruiting office, a veterans services officer,
and a modest museum/learning center that features the history of that specific branch of service, with an
emphasis on ties to Ohio and the Miami Valley.
The grounds themselves offer tremendous opportunities for campus-based and community outreach
activities. One relatively inexpensive option would be the development of a combination Community
Gardens and Veterans' Therapy Garden. This project would provide plots for community vegetable
gardens (and could possibly tie in with the Dayton Metro parks' 'Grow with Your Neighbors' program)
but would also feature land dedicated to helping veterans via horticultural therapy, which is used in a
variety of medical facilities and settings. Additionally, the therapy gardens could be used as a mentoring
opportunity between participating veterans and young people in the community, providing inter-gener
ational exposure to agricultural learning opportunities as well as job and business skills. The end result
could be an annual Farmer's Market, developed and manned by the therapy vets and the participating
young people. This is the type of project that excites potential funders because of its medical and reha
bilitative elements as well as its educational and mentoring components tied to a solid concept of work
force development and inter-generational experiences.
15
A clever promotional and historical component would be to declare that this is "Dayton's Victory Gar den"
- drawing attention to the World War II Victory Garden concept but also emphasizing that these Gardens
constitute a victory in revitalizing the VA Campus and a victory in helping Dayton residents overcome the
recession and reinforce their own self-sufficiency.
Tunnel Facade - Once the channel through which deceased soldiers were transported from the hospital
to the cemetery, this partially covered stone archway offers a macabre historic appeal. If properly re
stored, the tunnel would not only be of interest to historians and military enthusiasts but would provide a
compelling stop on campus tours, as well as a fascinating component to the VA Medical Museum.
Whether the entire tunnel could be restored is in doubt, but uncovering the facade and clearing out the
entrance would make for a gruesome but fascinating reminder of how far we have come with our VA care.
IV. B. P ublic Fa ciliti es & Activities - Umpire & EducaLe )
By involving the Greater Miami Valley -
businesses, organizations and individuals - in the
revitalization of the VA campus and the introduction of on-campus and outreach projects and programs,
we will help to stimulate a renaissance of the community as a whole. This can be done by building
relationships between all facets of the VA campus and its external counterparts (medical, religious,
academic, historic and/or non-profit organizations and veterans services offices) as well as by
encouraging the presence of innovative commercial enterprises that complement or augment the VA
mission. The concept of tying this collaborative effort to a specific theme (as San Antonio has
successfully done with its silicon circle concept) is explained in more detail in Section IV.D. Cyber
Initiatives.
There is a broad range of programs and activities that can help tie together the campus and the commu
nity. As explained in the following section, the Heritage Tourism concept is one important element, espe
cially in a region like the Miami Valley that is blessed with a compelling story to tell, but the tourism
aspect is not an end unto itself.
Heritage Tourism - a means to an end - Dayton's dynamic military and aviation heritage provides a
strong bond with the past that can and should be better utilized for the purposes of tourism. Visitors
seeking to follow the history of aviation, aerospace, and the American military (specifically the Air
Force) can do so through a variety of existing and proposed facilities and initiatives. Like the multitude
of museums and learning centers that sprawl across Washington DC, Dayton can and should tie together
its vital heritage components into a cohesive network for marketing and promotional purposes.
While the aviation component is certainly one of Dayton's best known heritage attractions, it is by no
means the only one. Projects such as the National Aviation Heritage Area and the Aviation Trails concept
can be tied to an overarching heritage theme that emphasizes Dayton's reputation for innovation and
16
service. That overarching innovation element can then be tied into the Collaborative Community concept
outlined in Section IV.D, thus bringing together past, present and future beneath the heritage umbrella.
A 2003 white paper on Heritage Tourism and the Federal Government, prepared by the Advisory Coun
cil on Historic Preservation makes a strong case for cooperative effort in building any heritage tourism
approach. While the paper deals predominantly with inter-agency cooperation at the federal level, it
makes numerous valid points about the importance of sustainable public-private relationships.
Statistics on heritage tourism as defined by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) reflect the following
realities regarding the appeal and impact of heritage tourism:
•
Two-thirds (65 percent) of American adult travelers included heritage or culture on a trip; this
translates into approximately 92.7 million travelers per year.
Heritage travelers typically stay 4.7 nights on trips compared to 3.4 nights for others.
They stay longer and spend more money-an average of $631 per trip, compared to $457 for other
travelers.
•
Such travelers and more likely to stay in a hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast, and 18 percent spend
$1,000 or more on a trip (a higher percentage than other travelers) .
Forty-four percent include shopping (compared to 33 percent for other travelers), and heritage shop
pers look for unique items that represent the destination. Such travelers are more likely to take a
group tour, and include a broader variety of activities in their itineraries.
Heritage travelers tend to be older, and are more likely to have a post-graduate degree.
It is clear that heritage tourism, when properly thought-out and implemented, can have tremendous
value. The argument can be made that a "down economy" only increases its value, as travelers and
vacationers seek to derive greater benefits from the dollars they spend. Creating a heritage tourism
corridor that entertains, educates and informs will not only benefit Dayton as it struggles to recover
from the most recent recession, but it will help define and reinforce the region's value in a manner that
shields it from inevitable future economic shifts.
Miami Valley Military History Museum - located in the Putnam Library - Currently an informal
facility with artifacts owned by several AVHC volunteers and board members, this modest but
compelling museum needs greater definition with regard to its on-going role on the VA campus. It
currently does not have formal museum status or an individual 501(c)3 designation and, as such,
cannot seek sustainable funding or undertake any kind of expansion effort. One option is to work
toward blend ing the current assets of the museum with the Hall of Honor facility or one of the other
proposed muse ums. This way it can serve as a starter collection for one of the proposed facilities.
17
American Veterans Hall of Honor- An initial step in establishing a Hall of Honor is to seek a Con
gressional Charter, thus confirming it as THE national hall of honor for American veterans. Although
Congress grants few charters these days, they do make exceptions for projects of great national signifi
cance. Although veterans halls of fame have been attempted by several groups over the years (including
one initiated several years ago by AVHC board members) no effort has ever made it past the planning
stages. This particular American Veterans Hall of Honor could and would exist first as a "virtual facility"
which could be on-line before the end of 2014, thus "planting the flag" on it existence and confirming
that such a national organization now has a permanent home - in Dayton, Ohio on the VA campus. This
could and would buy time (AND provide a visible development tool) for raising the funds and aware
ness necessary to establish the physical facility at the Dayton VA Campus. One option for the physical
location is the former Clubhouse offers considerable space and a unique multi-level interior floor design
that would allow for innovative galleries, theaters and educational activities.
Prior to the induction of the first class of Honorees, this site would offer an exciting "cyber museum" (or
webseum) that spotlights the contributions of American veterans to our way of life and standard of
living. This virtual facility will offer vivid stories, images, and educational opportunities for the whole
family- and will be directly linked to an interactive educational web site and education materials
developed by the American Veterans Institute and shared with the AVHC. This facility and its sister
organization, the American Veterans Research Library, will also spotlight and preserve the documents,
achievements, and recollections of the men and women who have fought to preserve America's unique
vision of freedom for over 200 years. Soon after the cyber facility is unveiled, individuals will be able to
nominate veterans for the first induction, which could take place as early as 2015 (near or on Veterans
Day).
Nomination criteria is being developed and a board will be assembled to review nominees and vote
on Honorees.
America has Halls of Fame for aviators, musicians, race car drivers, inventors, baseball players,
football players and even toys but then is no such national facility to honor those who protect and
defend America's freedoms. There is also a pervasive lack of understanding among the non-veteran,
non-military population as to the contributions of America's veterans, the historic value of military
training, and the impact that our veterans and our military have on our daily lives in America.
This distance between civilians and our Armed Forces continues to grow as fewer Americans are ac
tively involved in the military. The following points underscore the need for a Veterans Hall of Honor,
as well as a Veterans Research Library:
As the concept of a "draft" has receded from the American consciousness, so has the average citizen's
intimate knowledge of the military. Gone are the days when almost anyone could wind up in uniform .
18
As a result, many segments of the population have no grasp of how military service shapes an
individual or how it benefits a society;
There are many fine facilities that preserve military history-- the National Museum of the United
States Air Force, the West Point Museum, the Naval Air Museum at Pensacola, the Military Vehicle
Museum, numerous regional military museums, state veterans halls of fame, and a myriad of
preservation organizations that preserve unit, regiment, wing and squadron histories. There are fabulous
"living history" projects that preserve "snapshots" in time and personal recollections. But there is no
national "Hall of Honor" facility that inducts individuals and seeks to preserve their colorful,
compelling and inspirational life achievements, before, during, and after military service. The emphasis
on individuals - versus equipment or units - is essential because that is what compels young people
and provides a colorful and inspiring commentary on our nation's history.
Every combat veteran has a story to tell; many tell their stories through the written word, often self-pub
lishing a memoir or sometimes simply putting the words on paper but never bothering to seek a
publisher. Frequently, these men and women have journals, letters, diaries or audio/video tapes kept
during combat and military service. As the veteran ages or dies, his or her family members don't know
what to do with these documents, and don't always see the historic value of them. But these veterans'
stories represent the rich tapestry of America's military service as seen through the eyes of those who
lived it. By preserving and cataloging these recollections, future historians will be able to paint a picture
of what we believed in, how we fought for it, and why.
Since the dawn of the 21st Century America has been engaged in a war on terror that promises to be an
ongoing, if not permanent, conflict. It is unlike any war we have ever fought and the implications to
American society are staggering. Having learned the lessons of Vietnam, America currently celebrates its
soldiers and welcomes them home. But it is a response that could just as easily reverse itself as the war
drags on and the lessons of Vietnam fade into the history books. As a reminder of the significant
contributions of our men and women in uniform, the Hall of Honor will seek to spotlight the courage and
achievement of America's veterans, thus promoting the concept of our GIs as individuals who enrich
society before, during and after their military service.
The current vision for the American Veterans Hall of Honor was developed by the founders of the
American Veterans Institute. AVI officials are working closely with the AVHC and VA officials to trans
late their vision into something that is viable on the VA Campus.
The goal for the Hall of Honor and Veterans Library project is very simple: to portray and preserve the
individuality of the American GI...to honor our veterans for their group dedication to preserving liberty,
and to underscore that essential American ingredient of individual initiative that has long set our citizens
apart from all other societies. Those honored by this facility will constitute a true snapshot of America.
They will come from all ethnicities, geographies, religions and philosophies. They will be men and
19
women of courage and conviction. They will be dreamers and doers; people who understood the impor
tance of military structure and discipline, but also knew when to veer onto "the road less taken" for the
good of their troops or their country. Our honorees' ability to serve and to lead will provide the founda
tion for a dynamic leadership curriculum tied to the AVHCNA campus education program, which has
been developed by the American Veterans Institute and ·features learning materials for students as young
as kindergarten.
The inducted veterans' stories, which will span the individual's military and civilian endeavors, can and
must be preserved so that America understands the dynamic forces and individuals that shaped this
country and its defenses. Inductees will be chosen NOT based on how many medals they acquired dur ing
their service but on how they took the lessons and experiences of that service and later applied them in the
civilian world. A classic case in point would be Wendy's founder Dave Thomas, an orphan whose military
career lead him to Army Cook and Baker School, where he learned discipline and a profession ...and later
used his success to underwrite foundation support for adoption programs and children's
issues. Another example is former Georgia senator Zell Miller who acknowledges that he was on the fast
track to prison before joining the Marines and becoming a productive member of society. But an AVHOH
inductee doesn't have to have made a national impact; he or she might just as easily be the banker down
the street or the teacher down the hall.
An annual "Honors Ceremony" will recognize and install veterans in a variety of categories. Their per
sonal histories will then be preserved and promoted by the "Hall of Honor" via the Research Library and
education program components. The Hall of Honor will initially exist as a "webseum" --a virtual facil
ity that is accessible to everyone in America with a web browser. In fact, the awards ceremony can and
should be televised, as well as streamed onto the AVHC & VA web sites, among others. The founders of
AVI already work with several digital media resources in Washington, DC, Austin, Texas, and Dayton,
Ohio, that can help make the digital presentation a reality.
20
The Hall of Honor displays, awards, and inductees would fall into several categories:
Eras covered:
1776-1850 -- Revolutionary to Pre-Civil War
1850-1915-- Pre-Civil War to WWI
1915-1960 -- WWI to Vietnam
1960-present -- Vietnam to
Current
Awards will include:
Community Service;
Valor in Uniform;
Lifetime Achievement;
Business Leader;
Advocate of the Year;
Military Entertainer of the Year;
Role Model for Young People;
•
Unsung Heroes;
Legacy (a tribute to military families);
Sharing the Vision (memoir recognition); and more...
Other Awards presented by the Hall of Honor would include:
An annual "American Eagle" Award to an organization that best represents the interests of veterans by
supporting them, celebrating them or advocating on their behalf.
Likewise, the annual "Corporate Legion of Honor" Award will go to a company that historically supports
the American military, its service people and its veterans, and personifies the patriotism, achievement and
work ethic of the American GI/veterans. Veterans Archives/History Project (Research Library) -- The
American Veterans Research Library (or whatever it is ultimately called), under the auspices of the
American Veterans Institute, has been casually accepting submissions for almost two years, in addition to
working with the National Military History Center in Indiana to make use of its oral history program. AVI's
Gift of Remembrance project began in 2008 and continues in 2009, as a way to educate individuals on how
best to capture and preserve the stories of veterans in their families and communities. Likewise, AVI's
junior Remembrance program, Project SOS (Save Our Stories), encourages young people to preserve their
family military histories and provides a step-by-step guide on how to do so for their personal archives and
for inclusion in the Research Library.
Up until now, there has been no formal facility or even a definite location. If the VA campus is to be home
to the library, it will be much easier to accept donations of books and related materials . The first step is to
meet with Dawn Dewey at Wright State University (WSU) about developing a cooperative access
relationship that would allow WSU to archive the donated materials until such a time as the renovation of
21
the Putnam Library is complete. In the meantime, a digital presence could be established in tandem with
the virtual Hall of Honor. In fact, we can and should work closely with Wright State to develop an on-line
access system that complements their already impressive research database. This type of cooperative
relationship also ties in with the Collaborative Digital Community concept outlined in the cyber projects
section of this proposal. Once again, by developing an on-line presence, we would be "staking a claim" to
the research library and the hall of honor in a way that builds credibility, encourages giving, and deters
less organized efforts from muddying the waters. Likewise, the stated plans for the research facility could
become a determining factor in the national decision on where to locate the VA archives.
Documents accepted by the Research Library will include published books by and about veterans, as
well as non-traditional library materials including unpublished manuscripts, booklets and stories,
vignettes, journals, diaries, letters, video and audio tape, photographs, log books, or other documents
related to the veteran's military service. The goal of the Research Library is to offer a comprehensive
collection and searchable database, that allows future generations of authors, students, researchers and
average American citizens to look up details on specific conflicts, units, battles, or individuals, as seen
through the eyes of those who lived the history, versus those who merely interpret it.
Through these personal histories, tomorrow's Americans will better understand and relate to the GI
experience at the individual level - versus simply grouping our veterans according to units, battalions or
branches of the military. In addition to collecting, preserving and digitizing veteran materials, the Re
search Library will interact with the Hall of Honor and the campus-based educational initiative to utilize
the preserved materials in developing classroom content tied to state academic content standards for
grades K-12.
The Hall of Honor and Research Library will stand as a sacred tribute to all those who have served and
sacrificed on behalf of the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans.
Commercial Facilities- if the VA is considering the potential of complementary commercial facilities on
the campus, as per the Citywide Development PowerPoint Plan, then it would be logical to keep the
commercial enterprises within the mission of the VA by encouraging and/or limiting the businesses to
veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran owned companies. This discussion should include the concept
of reduced rent for veteran-owned businesses, contracting the commercial development work to veteran
owned companies, developing a veteran business enclave (that also feeds in to the incubator concept in
section IV.A.2) and spotlighting this innovative communal concept regionally and nationally, as well as
working with the VA at the federal level to make this a project that can be replicated in other depressed
communities with VA facilities.
Public/private ventures have been explored on other VA campuses, including one in Leavenworth, KS,
where the Pioneer Group successfully negotiated a 75-year Enhanced Use Lease from the Veterans
22
Administration for 38 vacant and under-used buildings situated on 72 acres of the VA's hospital campus
in Leavenworth. All but one of these buildings were historic with most of them having been constructed
in the 1880s, originally to house Civil War veterans. This development, known as Eisenhower Ridge
currently features sixteen historically renovated buildings that have been converted into 45 affordable
apartment units know as Eisenhower Ridge Apartments.
The VA Medical Museum- This facility could and should be a cooperative effort between the VA (lo cal
and federal), local historic preservation groups, and the Miami Valley medical community, as well as
medically oriented academic institutions.
The museum would reflect not only the evolution of the VA and its service to veterans over the years
but also how military and combat medicine have evolved and how they have influenced civilian medical
practices. The necessities of battlefield medicine have lead to dramatic advancements in civilian medi
cine, just as R&D in military aviation and the American space program have lead to similar technologi cal
advancements. The museum would focus primarily military medicine since the establishment of the VA
and the Dayton's key role in the birth of VA medicine.
Potential exhibits and projects at the museum would include:
Tools of the Trade - a contrast between combat medics of the civil war and those of the modern mili
tary, and the instruments they use(d) to save lives. This exhibit would drive home the dramatic
medical advances of the past 150 years.
The Final Frontier - an intimate and sometimes hilarious and/or shocking look at the medical
research
that preceded the American space program. Most of this research was done by the military, specifically
the Air Force,- and much of the groundwork was laid in the aeromedical program out at Wright Field.
From the medical testing on dogs and monkeys to the humiliating physiological and psychological
hoops that the famed 'Mercury Seven' were forced to jump through in the name of science, this display
will make us cringe, think, and more fully appreciate the advancements of modem medicine.
From Field Dressing to MASH- a walk through history as visitors tour the primitive "field hospitals" of
the Civil War, and progress through WW I, WWII, Korea, Vietnam and today's more advanced battle field
life-saving techniques and technologies.
Starting Over - a look at advances in treatment of serious combat injuries, from the debilitating impact
of mini-ball wounds during the Civil War to the profound head trauma issues created by modem IEDs.
This exhibit addresses stateside improvements in care, prosthetics, and treatments that allow soldiers
to gradually return to productive lives despite suffering what once would have been fatal injuries.
23
As with all contemporary museums, the focus is no longer on static displays but on interactive elements
and on compelling stories and vignettes that drive visitors toward an educational outcome. A vibrant
outreach and education program are essential to this facility's success, as are unique displays that un
derscore the contributions of military and VA medicine to the greater medical community. A location for
this facility has not been determined though it would be appropriate in one of the structures on Doctor's
Row or sharing the Liberty House with the Museum of Military Innovation.
Public Activities:
Memorial Day Event- whether it is the Patriot's Freedom Festival or some other Memorial Day event,
there should be a May celebration on the campus grounds that is tied to Memorial Day observances. The
key, however, is to make this event profitable, educational and self-sustaining. There is also a clear need
to better educate the public as to the presence and purpose of this event. Media and corporate partner
ships need to be established as early as January and February (in order to aid fund-raising). Likewise,
local academic institutions and media outlets must be integral parts of the advance planning and promo
tional process. Media should include not only TV, radio and daily newspapers but the numerous com
munity weeklies, alternative publications, and even organizational newsletters as well. Local veterans
organizations such as VFW posts, American Legions, etc should be contacted individually for participa
tion and promotion months in advance.
Annual Veterans Day Observances- Of course this is one of the key calendar dates that must be maxi
mized as an opportunity to share the story of the VA as well as the rich history of the Dayton VA cam pus.
One immediate goal would be to secure funding necessary to create a 22 minute video that can be
featured on commercial television, in classrooms and on regional cable access channels, paying tribute to
Miami Valley veterans and to the contributions of the Dayton VA campus. Other possible activities could
include a student photography and art initiative that brings students onto the campus to sketch and
photograph the facility. This activity would lead to an annual Veterans Day art/photo show on the VA
campus, spotlighting the campus itself and the talents of local students.
24
Quarterly Teacher Training Programs (for CEUs - Continuing Education Units)- once the education
program is fully defined, training sessions for regional educators could be initiated on the VA campus.
These sessions would focus using the historical assets of the campus and the individual life stories of
America's veterans as a tool for enhancing student understanding of and appreciation for American
history, language arts, math science, technology and, of course, leadership. Scheduling these activities in
conjunction with in-service days, and providing the CEU credits, will encourage greater teacher
participation.
Annual Hall of Honor Induction - Once again, the induction criteria is currently being developed,
as
is the appropriate nomination paperwork. This event can and should be one of national prominence.
Elderhosteling- A popular tourist activity for those age 50 and up, elder hostels emphasize both travel
and education. Seniors purchase packages that involve a specific topic or region; they travel to that
location and visit historic facilities, attend educational sessions, lectures or related activities, and meet
folks in their age range with similar interests. They also stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and purchase
souvenirs. The VA campus - the entire Miami Valley region - can and should consider the best way to
take advantage of the elder hosteling trend. Elder hostels and heritage tourism go hand in hand, and the
age range of those who attend elder hostel activities puts them squarely in the demographic that
traditionally has the greatest disposable income and spends the most of heritage tourism.
Inter-organizational activities - should be encouraged at the VA campus between regional non-profits
such as the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the American Veterans Hall of Honor &
Museum, the Booneshoft Museum, the WACO Air Museum , the Paul Laurence Dunbar House, as well
as VFWs, American Legion, DAYs, etc. across the Miami Valley.
TV. C. Public Education / Information, K-1 2 and Adult - (Jmpire & Educate)
In 2012, AVHC Board of Trustee member Curt Dalton, wrote “The Mother Home – a History of the
Dayton Soldiers Home in 3-D” and donated it to the AVHC to help educate the public on the
significance of this historic facility. This book, filled with “stereo views” of campus facilities and
activities in its early history, has proven an outstanding educational tool, which we use to recognize
donations of time or money to AVHC efforts.
In addition, The American Veterans Institute has been developing a comprehensive education program
and the corresponding teaching tools and lesson plans (tied to state academic content standards) for
several years. Schools in both Ohio and Indiana have been testing the materials since 2007. Feedback
has been extremely positive and we have secured the endorsement of the Ohio University College of
Education.
25
Currently Ohio University is using a federal grant to pay a teacher to assist with developing lesson plans
for AVI; these plans will be jointly administered by AVI and the AVHC and implemented on the VA cam
pus and other locations and schools in the Miami Valley. The first phase of AVI educational
programming, called "History is About Me" emphasized American History and Language Arts, with the
STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) being secondary; however, current
lesson plan development features a stronger emphasis on STEM with a language arts and history
foundation. This phase of the programming is called "Veterans Aloft" and will be tested in Miami and
Montgomery Counties initially, with rapid expansion into the entire Miami Valley. It focuses on military
aviation and military aviators - both famous and anonymous.
The components of this dynamic education project are as follows:
•
K-12 veteran-based education program tied to state standards in: History, Language Arts, Civics,
Government, Science & Technology, Math. Project includes books, handouts and activity sheets, and
DVDs (two AVI-scripted DVDs, Vietnam: A Nation Remembers and D-Day: A Crowning Glory are
already being utilized in classrooms across the United States.)
• Special K-12 Leadership curriculum, based on inductees to the Hall of Honor and the assets of
the Research LibraryNeterans Archives.
• Special adult business leadership seminars, based on the achievements of Hall of Honor
inductees, the assets of the Veterans Archives, and related military organizational models.
•
Mentoring Camps for at-risk youth from the Greater Miami Valley-- Camps lead by veterans &
teachers, focusing on themes such as Leadership for Young People, Running Your Own Business for
Students, or local history themes-- Dayton: Birthplace of Aviation; Black Military Leaders: A
Vision of Excellence; Women in the Military: Smashing the Glass Ceiling and more.
Summer Youth Programs on the campus (which would be supported by available grants and by
inter-organizational staff, depending on the specific program)- educational initiatives designed
to build inter-generational connections between disadvantaged Dayton youth and our veterans.
Projects would include service projects such as maintaining the grounds, working with various
organizations, collecting the stories of individual veterans, etc. AVI works with a reading teacher
in the Dayton Public Schools who will be a valuable tool in developing service programs that
target and motivate inner-city youth.
Grant monies are available for programs like this, such as the grant listed below:
"Summer of Service grants support collaborative efforts to implement community-based service
learning projects during the summer months. Eligible programs will engage middle school students in
community-based service-learning projects that are intensive, structured, supervised, and designed to
produce identifiable improvements to the community. This opportunity should provide youth, particu
larly those from disadvantaged circumstances, with service-learning experiences that will motivate them
26
to become more civically engaged and aspire to obtain higher education. Program participants must
complete at least 100 hours of service within the summer program. For this competition, service
activities should address environmental and/or disaster preparedness issues relevant to the community
served. Funding for 2010 is contingent upon appropriations, and is estimated to be $1,000,000 for
approximately 5-7 grants.”
Feedback on existing AVI educational materials, which will now become part of the AVH C I Dayton
VA campus educational initiative, includes the following:
"My willingness to make a commitment to this scope of work reflects my respect for the curriculum
initiatives already undertaken, and by the organizations' willingness to focus future w o r k on the pro
motion of a). inclusiveness, b). explicit connections between students 'persona/lives and larger issues
of national import, and c). higher order thinking. I am also impressed by the project’s strong literacy
component and its multi-disciplinary, multi-media approach. These features address a pressing need of
our nations social studies teachers - the need for access to engaging instructional materials that invite
student participation while, at the same time, expanding their horizons. This is a project with the poten
tial to change the lives of future citizens of the United States. I am proud to offer my endorsement. " Dr.
Renee Middleton, Dean, Ohio University College of Education
"This series offers stories that students of all backgrounds and experiences can relate to...and it offers
practical lesson plans that teachers will enjoy sharing with their classes. The leadership component is
a timely and important topic that should be part of 21st Century classrooms. This program allows
young people to personalize the concept of history.
If
they personalize history then they will begin to
understand their own ability to change it." Cindy Hauler, Reading Specialist, Dayton Public Schools,
Dayton, OH.
"I have been very impressed with this initiative. It addresses a pressing national need in a way that few
other projects today are doing. In order to lead tomorrow, our young people need to learn today. And
they need to understand what has come before. Only by studying and enjoying history can they hope to
do that. This project blends history, literacy, interpersonal skills, leadership skills, management and all
other classroom disciplines in a manner that engages and entertains young people. It also makes imple
mentation easy on the teachers. I am committed to making this project a success on a national scale."
Terry L. Maris, PhD, Exec Director, Center for Cuban Business Studies, Ohio Northern University,
Former Dean of the Ohio Northern University College of Business Administration.
"The most striking feature of this program is its ability to seamlessly integrate literature and social
studies. The program includes well-researched literacy techniques that not only support literacy devel
opment, but ensure that students comprehend and benefit from the messages of the texts. A great deal of
effort has been invested in making sure the program is both teacher and student friendly. Students are
27
encouraged to interact with one another and the community at large through hands-on learning experi
ences. This trait also makes the program appropriate for a diverse population of learners. I commend
the AVI for creating a vibrant program that is easily accessible to teachers and the community." Heather
Neal, B.S. Elementary Education; MEdin Literacy; EdD is Literacy; Academic Foundations program,
Sinclair College.
The No Child Left Behind Act rightly targets math and reading as classroom disciplines in need of im
mediate attention and emphasis. Literacy is the foundation of learning, while math promotes reasoning
skills that allow young people to analyze data and information more effectively. But history and social
studies cannot be ignored as we struggle to prepare our students for competition and leadership in the
global arena. The triumphs and tragedies of America's past must be studied, absorbed, and preserved, so
that future generations are better equipped to avoid or expand upon the actions and decisions of yester
day.
The key to teaching children is to capture their attention and relate to their experiences and surround
ings...an increasingly daunting task in today's high tech, multi-sensory world. The collaborative AVI
AVHC-VA campus program will effectively unite the very best of old and new by harnessing modern
technology in order to share and preserve stories of past triumphs and struggles, and to pay tribute to the
heroes in our own homes and neighborhoods.
As we all work to create a more collaborative and involved nation, we must illustrate the impact of
service and sacrifice via examples from our past. There is a reason why Hollywood continues to spot
light the achievements of groups like the Navajo Code Talkers and Tuskegee Airmen of World War II,
or General Hal Moore and the 1st Cavin the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam. These courageous individu
als exemplify America at her best, as "one nation" determined to preserve and promote freedom. Their
stories paint a life-affirming portrait of citizens called on to protect and defend freedom, even when
the liberties they are fighting for are sometimes sadly missing from their own lives. And yet generation
after generation has stepped forward to fight and die in the name of building a "more perfect union"
for their children and grandchildren. Theirs is a uniquely American story, a story that reflects all facets
of American life and the individual struggles therein.
By exposing students to relatable people and situations -- i.e. "people who look like me" -- they can
begin to embrace the study of history, which, in turn, will enhance literacy, critical thinking skills, and
a myriad of interpersonal skills. By using a multi-media approach and interactive lessons, we will make
this project entertaining and stimulating, as well as educational.
This project is essential to the revitalization of the Miami Valley region. The ability to learn from the
past- and to enjoy learning - is a vital component to building a dynamic future. As history fades from
our classrooms, we are losing something more precious than we know. A recent Purdue University
28
study noted that the average Indiana teacher spends only 12 minutes a week on history and social
studies. Other states report similar findings. The National Assessment of Educational Progress
(NAEP) - known as 'The Nation's Report Card'- reported that only 17% of eighth-graders and 11%
of 12th graders performed at or above the proficient level in U.S . history. The loss of history is the loss
of our own individual footprint. It is the loss of those who can inspire us, motivate us, and lead us
toward a clearer understanding that we each have the ability to change the world. It is the loss of a
guidebook to overcoming our weaknesses and capitalizing on our strengths. The loss of history is not
simply the loss of our past, but of our future, as well. This vital education program will not only present
personality driven history lessons, but will use them as a springboard to science, technology,
engineering and math lessons as well as leadership training and enhanced literacy skills. A complete
20-page education plan and lesson plan/teaching tool samples are available upon request.
TV. D . Cyber Initiatives (Inspire and Educate)
Virtual Hall of Honor - a dynamic virtual interpretation of the eventual permanent facility, this
digital initiative can be brought on-line in as little as six months and at a relatively low cost (under
$20,000 for web development, content, and basic structure.) By establishing the digital Hall of Honor
right now, AVHC is planting a flag once and for all on the establishment of a national facility honoring
veterans. For under $2,500 we can secure the URL, set up a hosting structure, drop in place holder
content (such as specific details from this strategic plan) and even establish a PayPal donation page.
AVI will assist with start-up and structure, but the site itself will be tied directly to the AVHC and VA
campus right from the start. Likewise, this site will offer a dynamic presence that will inspire the
community and motivate potential funders and partners. The promise of an annual induction ceremony
that attracts veteran luminaries from government, business, entertainment, and the military can and
should be a strong promotional tool for the region, especially when paired with the promise of a
permanent physical location amid a revitalized and thriving VA campus and Miami Valley.
Virtual Research Library - this would be tied to the Hall of Honor and would initially feature instruc
tions on donating hard copy and/or digital materials. It would also feature instructions on preservation
programs developed by AVI (which would be shared with AVHC) such as the Gift of Remembrance and
the school-based SOS project, which focuses on creating student authors/researchers. Ultimately, the
goal is to digitize most of the facility's collection and create a searchable on-line database that will be
made available across the country and in classrooms nationwide. We should seek to enlist Lexis/Nexis
participation as well as support from Wright State University in database development.
Comprehensive Education Web Site-- shared by AVI, AVHC and other partners. This site will feature
downloadable lesson plans, virtual field trips to multiple facilities, community and VA campus activities
for students and student groups, student-authored history projects (see complete education plan), teacher
bulletin boards for innovative ways to blend classroom disciplines for maximum impact, and key
29
leader ship initiatives for schools and youth organizations. The site is under development and can go
live in a matter of weeks, upon securing the appropriate funding.
Collaborative Digital Community - One compelling long-term goal is to work toward
establishing a "collaborative community" within the Miami Valley that ties together the interests of
military, the VA, local business & industry, academia, veterans services offices, veterans organizations,
and non-profits in the region. San Antonio, TX offers a great template for this vision with its "silicon
circle" concept. San Antonio officials used cyberwarfare and cyberoperations as the cooperative
centerpiece of their multi industry alliance. The result has been a revitalization of the community and
the military presence, which had been compromised by base closures and military downsizing/reorganization. An added bonus is that the focus on cyber technology has a "green" appeal to it
that invites investment from forward-thinking entrepreneurs.
A similar rallying point in the Dayton region could be digital information services- the preservation
and dissemination of information via digital means. This broad spectrum approach embodies a range of
existing Miami Valley strengths as well as tying directly to the on-going efforts of the AVHC, AVI and
the Dayton VA Campus. Likewise, it could provide a compelling argument in favor of locating the VA
Archives in a community that is exploring cutting-edge digital preservation initiatives. This approach
would involve cooperative efforts to expand on the following focus areas:
•
preservation of the history of America's veterans and of the VA itself via digital resources;
providing digital educational resources through a cooperative between our non-profits, museums,
and schools;
providing digital leadership development for schools and businesses via a cooperative effort to
define and implement leadership training (especially at the K-12level) based on the achievements of
Miami Valley and state/national veterans and their individual histories;
utilizing a variety of digital tools to fulfill the Dayton Chamber's key initiative of workforce develop
ment;
• preservation and dissemination of cutting edge medical technologies and information via the
VAMC and other regional medical facilities such as Premier Health Partners, Kettering Medical
Network, Grandview, Good Samaritan, etc;
making office space available on Dayton VA Campus grounds to veteran-owned businesses that spe cialize
in technology or utilize it in innovative ways;
harnessing the digital research resources of Wright State University;
promoting the impressive cyber resources and technology emphasis of Wright Patt's Material
Command and the Dayton Defense contractors, among others;
• developing a digital network of Miami Valley veterans services offices that allows for better
dissemi nation of resources and information on various veterans benefits. Provides links to outside
informa tion that can make the VSOs job easier and give local veterans more detailed and timely
30
information (one example would be the VetAssist site developed by the American Veterans Institute.
This site
has been lauded as a valuable national resource for researching the VA's Improved Pension. Veterans
Services Officers frequently utilize the site and refer others to it.)
• emphasizing the preservation and dissemination of materials and information through the
National Museum of the United States Air Force as well as other non-profit and historic entities in
the region.
V. Summary of Individual Projects
Capital Improvements
Protestant Chapel
Administration
Building
Patient Library/Putnam Library
Clubhouse
Grotto
VA Grounds
Tunnel Facade
Liberty House
Freedom House
Public Fa cilities
Heritage Tourism tie-in with Greater Miami Valley VA
Medical Museum (Doctor's Row)
Museum of Military Innovation (Liberty House)
Miami Valley Military History Museum (Putnam Library/Doctors Row/Other)
American Veterans Hall of Honor (Clubhouse)
American Veterans Research Library (Putnam Library/Clubhouse)
Commercial Facilities I Veterans Business Incubator (Administration
Building/Other) Veterans Therapy Garden and Farmer's Market (VA Grounds)
Community Gardens (VA Grounds)
31
Public Activities
Patriot's Freedom Festival
Quarterly Teacher Training Programs
Hall of Honor Inductions
Elderhostling
Public lnformation/Education/Cyber Initiatives
Veterans Aloft I History is about Me Educational Programming
Embracing Freedom Book Series
Virtual Hall of Honor I Research
Library AVHC I AVI Education Web
Site Collaborative Digital Community
VI. - Budget Overview
More detailed budget breakdowns are available upon request.
Home Chapel
Total
Phase 1 .................................................................................................................................... ... $1,943,000
Phase 2 .................................................................................................................................................. $967,000
Phase 3 ........................................................................................................................................... $312,000
Tota1 ....................................................................................................................................................$3,222,000
Patient Library
Total
Phase 1 ........................................................................................................................................ .
$1,707,000
Phase 2 ................................................................................................................................................$1,858,000
Phase 3 ................................................................................................................................................$1,371,000
Total ...................................................................................................................................................... $4,936,000
Headquarters
Total
Phase1 ................................................................................................................................................$1,249,000
Phase 2 ........................................................................................................................................ $1,167,000
Phase 3 ..............................................................................................................................................$2,244,000
Total ........................................................................................................................................... .........$4,660,000
Veterans Club
Total
Phase 1-3............................................................................................................................................$2,600,000
Restoration TOTAL ................................................................................................................. $15,418,000
Programming/ Facilities
32
Total
Education Program ......................................................................................................................... . . . . $885,000
Grotto ............................................................................................................................................. . . . . . . $750,000
Web development, population, and maintenance (multiple sites/projects) ................................... $175,000
Museum development, exhibit construction
and installation, materials, staffing for five facilities .......................................... ......................$12,500,000
Operational costs for five buildings for five years ............................................ ..........................$4,000,000
GRAND TOTAL...................................................................................................................... $33,728,000
VII. Conclusion
The success or failure of this plan will depend on the energy, passion, and conviction of those who
embrace it. It will also depend on the AVHC's ability to energetically, but systematically, sell the concepts
to its partners and participants across the Miami Valley. This plan is designed to be implemented
incrementally, as funding permits, or it can be rolled out in tandem with related community initiatives. In
the best-case scenario, the AVHC, VA officials, community leaders and participating organizations will
pool their resources, intellectual capital, and enthusiasm and reach out to individuals and organizations
who can help make the dream a reality.
Bringing this vision to fruition will require careful coordination, the sharing of resources and informa tion,
and the ability to compromise, cooperate and think creatively. The essential first step is to share the vision
with local leaders and members of the media. The accompanying marketing plan outlines
methods for building the momentum and establishing a network of enthusiastic partners.
Properly implemented, this plan will not only support and honor our veterans but will inspire and mo
tivate our young people even as it builds a coalition of business, academic, non-profit, medical and
military partners across the region. In so doing it will help renew and restore the sprawling VA campus,
revitalize the Miami Valley's economic future,
and create a greater sense of connection and
understanding between our men and women in
uniform and all those who benefit from their
legacy of service and sacrifice.
33