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"The Wall" coming to Lakewood Sept. 19-21

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Contributed by: Ken Parks on 8/27/2008

"The Wall" - the only 375-foot-long 80-percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. - along with memorials dedicated to those lost in World War II, 911 and the Iraq War, part of American Veterans Traveling Tribute, are making a rare metro Denver visit Sept. 19-21.

"This is a proud partnership for the City of Lakewood," says Mayor Bob Murphy
who along with local and regional military, civic and business leaders will participate in three-day visit. On Sat., Sept. 20, the City of Lakewood is hosting a parade starting at Alameda Ave. and Harlan St. and proceeding to the nearby campus of New Hope Ministries, site of the visit.

New Hope Ministries, which has its campus northwest of Sheridan Blvd. and
Kentucky Ave. at 875. Sheridan Blvd., is playing host to the tribute. Senior pastors and co-founders of New Hope Ministries, Ray and Lola Chavez, along with their staff have planned a wide variety of activities to accompany the sizeable displays associated with the traveling tribute. "The Wall" will be displayed in a grassy wooded part of the campus and will be open to visitors around the clock. For details visit nhmofdenver.com or phone 303.274.6317.

New Hope Ministries is dedicated to reaching out to those bound by drugs, alcohol, gangs and violence. "We see many veterans in need," explains Pastor Ed Espinosa, who together with his ministry team partners is preparing to host the rare traveling tribute visit. The visit will coincide with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society convention in downtown Denver, co-chaired by Colorado Governor Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper.

With a career dedicated to serving veterans - many of whom deal with
homelessness, addiction and other issues - Espinosa has faith that New Hope Ministries will close a $25,000 corporate giving gap that lies between them and opening the Sept. 19-21 visit in the black. "Call it blind faith; I believe people will step up, as they always do." New Hope Ministries is no stranger to faith. "We believe the Lord is calling us to do this work at this time," says Pastor Espinosa. "Our hope is to raise that money and more so that we may begin to develop an ongoing ministry to serve veterans in need in metro Denver."

U.S. flags that will be flown during the visitation will be folded and enshrined in
display-quality wood and glass triangular cases for corporate givers contributing $1,000 or more to the visitation initiative, explains Espinosa.

The Alameda Business Improvement District is one of the organizations that has
contributed $1,000. "We will proudly display our flag in our offices," explains George Valuck, executive director of Alameda Gateway Community Association one of the sponsors of event. "This three-day event is important to Lakewood, provides a positive impression of the area to its visitors and is a proud tribute to all veterans."

Events associated with the visit will be staged outdoors and indoors, including the
reading of the names of the more than 4,000 military servicemen and women who have died in the Iraq War. A "Not Forgotten 2008" dramatic presentation will be performed each night of the visitation at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of New Hope Ministries.

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Ken Parks

Littleton , CO

Ken Parks has posted 14 stories and 11 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Ken Parks 's average story rating is 2.97.

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