On a beautiful cold, crisp November morning the official ground breaking of 'The Education Center' at The Wall took place. 11/28/2012

Gold Star family members were joined by Congressional leaders, senior military officers, and veterans for the ceremonial groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall on Wednesday, November 28.

Judy Campbell holding a picture of her brother SP/4 Keith Allen Campbell (KIA 02/08/67) knowingly left the safety of his classroom after having received Honorable Discharge to re-inlist and go to Vietnam. Campbell's medic skills were needed by wounded American soldiers in Vietnam and he gave his life saving fellow soldiers.

A group of Gold Star family members from Delaware proudly show off photographs of their loved ones.

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta greeting an old friend Alaskan Congressman Don Young. When Jan Scruggs was trying to get the Vietnam Veterans Memorial started these two men were instrumental in making it all happen.

A moment of prayer and recolection.

Gold Star Mother Barbara Benard holds a photograph of her son Sgt. 1st Class Brent A. Adams, 4/29/1965 12/01/2005 KIA Operation Iraqi Freedom

Jan Scruggs welcomes everyone and starts things off with a little history video

Alaskan Congressman Don Young

The Gold Star Families were asked to stand and proudly show off photographs of their loved ones.

Allen 'Doc' Hoe is holding the photo of 1st Lt. Jonathan Brostrom, KIA July 13, 2008 Wanat, Afghanistan, he was a Platoon Leader in C Co. 2/503 Inf., 173 Airborne Brigade Combat Team. (1 of 9 KIA in the very controversial battle of Wanat) he and my son 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe were friends in the Army ROTC program at the University of Hawaii ROTC battalion.

Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky) addresses the audience. Sharon Ann Lane was one of the eight nurses killed during the Vietnam War.

Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

John Rowan, National President of Vietnam Veterans of America was among the many Veteran attendees.

Jan Scruggs welcomes Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar

Admiral Michael Mullen, USN (Ret.) former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff speaking to audience

Newly elected Hawaii Congresswoman, Tulsi Gabbard, is a combat veteran, with two tours
in Iraq. Tulsi Gabbard is a Captain in the Hawaii National Guard, she is holding the photo of 1st Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe, KIA, January 22, 2005, Mosul Iraq. 1st Lt. Nainoa Hoe was the 2nd platoon leader with C Co. 3/21 Infantry of the 1st Stryker brigade combat team. The lancers of 1/25 Infantry a young airborne ranger.

Dr. Michael McClung, Vietnam Veteran, Gold Star Father of Major Megan McClung who was the first female United States Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the Iraq War, Major McClung was serving as a public affairs officer in Al Anbar Province in Iraq when she was killed on December 6, 2006.

Pamela D. Donovan was one of eight nurses killed during the Vietnam War.

"During the early morning hours of June 8, 1969, a Soviet-built 122-mm rocket slammed into ward 4 of the 312th Evacuation Hospital in Chu Lai, Vietnam." 24 year old Lt. Sharon A. Lane died instantly. Though seven other American military nurses lost their lives serving in Vietnam, Lt. Lane was the only American servicewoman killed as a direct result of enemy fire throughout the war".

Notice the black engraved bracelet that Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta is wearing in honor of Spc. Christopher D. Horton 26, of Collinsville, OK; assigned to 1st Battalion, 279 Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma National Guard, Tulsa, OK; died on September 9, 2011 in Zurmat district. Paktya province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small-arms fire

Dr. Jill Biden

Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta

Jan Scruggs introduces Jimmy Buffett and asks all to stand and sing “God Bless America”

The guy from Margaritaville had them all going strong.

Alaskan Congressman Don Young with Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta. When Jan Scruggs was trying to get the Vietnam Veterans Memorial started these two men were instrumental in making it all happen.

Ceremonial Groundbreaking for The Education Center at The Wall

Australian officers Colonel Jeff Quirk and Major General Tim McOwan share a moment with David M. Ward