ClaudiaTenney ToursVietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rome
Marine Mom Tenney discussedhow we canhonor those who serve

Today, Candidate for CongressClaudiaTenney toured the site of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial in Rome, New York.

Tenney, a passionate advocate on veterans and military issues and mother of a United States Marine, paid her respects and surveyed the site’s progress with the memorial’s president Rick Falcone and project coordinator Mark Jennings.

ClaudiaTenney said, “It was an honor to come to this beautiful memorial to our Vietnam Veterans. As the mother of a United States Marine, their tremendous sacrifices and those of all our veterans have made to protect our freedom deserve our unending gratitude. Rick Falcone, Mark Jennings, and their team’s work is a welcome and fitting tribute to our Vietnam veterans.”

Tenney has a long history fighting for the rights and recognition of our veterans, especially Vietnam Veterans. While an assemblywoman, Tenney was the lead sponsor on a bill that granted state recognition to Vietnam Veterans of America as abenevolent group. Tenney’s billl later became law, granting the group special status.

Project coordinator Mark Jennings said of Tenney’s visit, “It was a very productive meeting withClaudia. She was very interested in helping us achieve our goalswith the community. We wanted to giveClaudia, a Marine mom, the opportunity to see firsthand what this memorial is all about and where we want to go with it.”

The memorial, which was originally slated to open Memorial Day 2020 but was delayed by the COVID crisis, has raised approximately $50,000 of its $100,000 Phase 2 goal. Phase 2 completion will include additional memorial stones dedicated to women’s veterans, veterans impacted by Agent Orange exposure, a display of the five service branch flags, and a fully-restored Huey helicopter. The helicopter will berestored at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC).