National Capital Planning Commission Approves Final Plans for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial

Online, August 13, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Delray Beach, FL - The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation (DVLMF) has announced that the National Capital Planning Commission approved the final site and building plans for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial (AVDLM) at its hearing last month in Washington, D.C. The Commission had previously approved preliminary plans at its October 2, 2009 hearing following final design approval by the United States Commission of Fine Arts in July 2009.

The National Capital Planning Commission is comprised of twelve members who represent Federal and local constituencies with a stake in planning for the nation's capital. Members are appointed by the president, the mayor and city council, and include representatives of Congress and the Cabinet.

"The NCPC approval is a critical accomplishment toward completing our mission," said Arthur H. Wilson, co-founder and president of DVLMF. "The memorial has been many years in the making and we are now closer than ever to making it a reality. Every step forward is a huge milestone for us and for disabled American veterans everywhere."

The Commission commended DVLMF for developing a design that "will be universally accessible by all people who visit the site including persons with visual and hearing impairments". The Foundation is currently engaged with the National Park Service in reviewing and finalizing construction documents and building specifications and will seek a construction permit in early fall. Permit issuance will signal approval by the Secretary of the Interior, the final approval of which the Memorial is subject under the federal Commemorative Works Act.

About the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation:
The Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc. was created in 1998 through the combined efforts of philanthropist Lois Pope, foundation chairman; Arthur Wilson, foundation president and National aAdjutant of the Disabled American Veterans; and the late Jesse Brown, former Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Formed as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the Foundation's sole objective is to raise the estimated $86 million in private funds needed to design, build and permanently maintain the nation's first memorial dedicated to living and deceased disabled veterans - The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Commanding an impressive two-acre site between Washington Avenue SW (Canal Street), C Street SW and Second Street SW, the Memorial will be within full view of the United States Capitol, adjacent to the National Mall, and across from Independence Avenue and the United States Botanic Garden.

For more information about the foundation or the memorial, or to make a donation, please visit avdlm.org.