TSP at TOGUS Veteran’s Day Case Ribbon Cutting 2014

The Summit Project Partners with Togus Veteran’s Hospital for Wreath Laying and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Veteran’s Day

Augusta, Maine – The Summit Project (TSP) will conduct a “ribbon cutting” event on NOV 11, at 8am, in front of the main entrance of Togus Hospital to commission Togus as the first custodian of a static display of TSP stones. Togus hospital, and the veterans who enter those doors will “stand watch” over a select number TSP stones through the remainder of 2014.The stones within the glass case will NOT be available for tribute treks. The case will remain secure, and a sense of curiosity will bring new people to discover TSP and our mission. The majority of TSP stones will remain at MEPS for regular tribute trek operations.  Our mission is to elevate awareness of TSP to various organizations throughout Maine. We hope to generate a list of organizations in Maine who wish to take turns displaying this case. For this inaugural event, TSP is proud of our partnership with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s office, The American Legion Post 202, MEARNG SOS office, Togus hospital staff, all to combine efforts for a special Veteran’s Day ceremony. Prior to the wreath laying and ribbon cutting (which start at 8am), The American Legion will carry these select stones on a tribute road march to the hospital. The march begins at 6:30 am at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Augusta. From the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial they will march approximately 4 miles to Togus for wreath laying and memorial service. The march will symbolize Vietnam Veterans carrying fallen Maine veterans on their backs.  This event is OPEN to the public and there will be light refreshments following the wreath laying ceremony and the glass case ribbon cutting ceremony.  Happy Veteran’s Day!

Many more photos HERE!

At the end of the period of custody, Togus employee and facility manager, Jim Doherty wrote:

During the month and a half it was in the lobby of the Togus VA Medical Center, “The Summit Project” memorial received a very significant amount of attention, both from VA staff and Veterans/family members.  When I would go by the lobby, I would frequently find Veterans spending considerable time looking and reading the items in the display case and when others saw them looking, they stopped to look as well.  It wasn’t just a quick glance as they walked by, it was people actually taking the time to really learn about the “The Summit Project”.  The memorial was exceptionally well done and honors our fallen service members from Maine.

The dedication ceremony on Veterans Day 2014 was well attended and put outstanding perspective on the memorial and what it represents.  Being the first VA facility in the nation, it was an honor to have the first public display of the memorial at the VA Maine Healthcare System.  We look forward to the upcoming Memorial Day event at Mount Katahdin.  jd