May 25, 2014, Angel Fire, NM. Dana was a speaker at a POW/MIA candlelight vigil representing Gold Star Wives of America - a national organization of spouses of servicemen who died either on active duty or as a result of service to our country. Angel Fire Vietnam Veteran's State Park is the first and only state park dedicated solely to Vietnam Veterans. It is a very special place with a chapel that is open 24/7.
With their own and private donations, the family of David Westphall as a tribute to their Marine son. David was a platoon leader and was killled in a battle near Con Thien, South Vietnam on May 22, 1968. Sixteen U.S. soldiers were killed in that battle.
I encourage you to visit their website: www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org
With their own and private donations, the family of David Westphall as a tribute to their Marine son. David was a platoon leader and was killled in a battle near Con Thien, South Vietnam on May 22, 1968. Sixteen U.S. soldiers were killed in that battle.
I encourage you to visit their website: www.vietnamveteransmemorial.org
March 29, 2014, Salida, CO - Meet the Authors Event. Dana Chwan coordinated an event for 12 other authors to promote and sell their books. Dana was the emcee for the well attended program and was assisted by daughter, Michele Chwan Wayland. Arlene Shovald, local Colorado author and staff writer for Salida's The Mountain Mail newspaper was instrumental in making connections with local authors to participate. Dana's book, The Reluctant Sorority was a well-received and featured work at the event.
March 20, 2014 - Santa Fe, NM - Dana with Jan Scruggs. At a travelling exhibit of a half-scale replica of 'the Wall' - Dana chatted with one of her heroes. Jan had the concept to have a memorial listing the names of American casualties of the Vietnam War so they would always be remembered. 'The Wall' in Washington, D.C. is the most visited memorial in the nation's capital. In her book's Thanks and Acknowledgements pages, Jan is listed as number one for originating the concept. He used his own money to start the memorial before getting widespread support and funding for its construction.
December 2013 - Dana and Michele celebrate the completion of "The Reluctant Sorority" with a 'selfie' at Michele's home in the Colorado mountains. Dana wrote and Michele formatted and edited the text and photos. It was a "labor of love", forty-eight years in the making and twenty-five years later, finally getting it into book form.
February 1987: Dana With Ed Sitton, President of Vietnam Veterans of Tampa Bay at a symposium of 5 national POW/MIA groups from different states that met in Tampa, Florida to discuss strategy and how to get the government to be more active and forth-coming on the POW/MIA issue.
Dana and Michele learn their design won!
1986: City of Tampa Design Competition for a POW/MIA comemorative plaque to be permanently displayed in City Hall Plaza. Dana Chwan (left), MIA widow, wrote the verse and daughter, Michele (right) created the bamboo and barbed wire art design.
Click here to read the verse in its entirety. The Final Design installed...
May 1986: Memorial Day with Vietnam Veterans of Tampa Bay members in St. Petersburg, FL. Dana was often a featured speaker for Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies throughout Florida.
November 11, 1985: Ground Breaking for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
for the State of Florida. Dana was the co-ordinator and a featured speaker at the POW/MIA Candlelight Vigil the eve before the dedication. Over 3,000 veterans from throughout the state attended.
July 19, 1985: Tampa Bay Remembers - Dana Chwan, Marty Comer and Sondra Phares are shown receiving thanks from Mayor Bob Martinez for organizing and co-producing Tampa's POW-MIA Recognition Day activities on July 19, 1985. These were the largest series of daylong activities and events in one city in the country.
April 30, 1985: Resolution passed in FL House of Representatives - Talahassee. Florida Senator John Grant, holding proclamation, introduced it in the FL chambers in support of POW/MIA awareness. State Representative Larry Hawkins, a Vietnam veteran shown seated, supported the bill. Dana was one of three women in the state appointed by Governor Bob Graham to the steering committee for developing activities for the state dedication ceremonies for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
April 16, 1985: Capt. Michael Daniel Chwan, USAF, interred at Arlington National Cemetery. The service included a jet fly-over performing the "Missing Man" Formation, a rendition of "Taps" by a lone bugler and a 12-horse caisson to transport the casket to the gravesite.