Opinion

WIMSA Registration Fees/ Donations/Comments

What's your opinion on the Women in Military Service for America registration fees?

Posted: 10 Jun 99:

There is a lot more to the memorial than just a building. The military information on thousands of women are located in the data bank, readily accessible, on computers that operate by the touch of a finger. When I visited the memorial I was thrilled to see my own name listed in the computer data bank. Some former military women also had their photos scanned in. I had sent a photograph of myself to be scanned into the records but, unfortunately, it was not there. I plan to send another donation with a request to scan the photograph. Another disappointment I suffered was the absence of information on the many women I served with. That means that the word didn't get out to them, or, they chose not to be included.

I love the memorial--it is so much more than just that--it is a perpetual reminder of those women who served this country from the civil war to present times. It is more than just bricks and mortar--it is a living monument attesting to the bravery of women in the hour of need.

Living in the Washington metropolitan area I have the luxury of visiting all the service memorials. I shed tears at the "Wall" for all those soldiers who lost their lives and I visit the tomb of the unknowns where with the sorrow we still feel so proud of those that keep the vigil despite the rain, snow, and heat. We have many monuments here in Washington but none finer and more fitting that the WIMSA memorial.

I understand that funds for WIMSA are drying up. Therefore, I urge all of you women who are financially able to give, and give again. I personally have bought WIMSA silver medals on chains to be given to my granddaughters when they are old enough to understand what the medals signify. The gift shop sells many lovely things of interest to all.

Live long and prosper.

June, Former WAC and proud of it.

Posted: 24 May 99: "The Fee versus the Glory"

I originally sent a donation back when the Memorial was just a thought, and sent my registration information. Then last March I visited the Memorial and found out that my donation and registration apparently got lost somehow. At first I was upset, then I saw a wall titled Women In The Military from 1949 [it is a montage of photos]; I FOUND MY PLATOONS PHOTO FROM BASIC AT FT. MCCLELLAND. It was the greatest moment in my most recent life, about since graduation from Basic. I gladly sent another registration to them. What a place, it leaves one in awe, plan on going and visiting there.

Posted: 16 Nov 98:

Why not advertise in every State across the USA and ask relatives and friends to put their family members etc. in as a gift? It was a sacrifice for me to give the $25.00 but I felt it was for a good cause. Maybe we should ask those who have more, to give to the Women Veterans who cannot donate? Deceased members without living family should be listed anyway. Not only those who can afford to pay should be listed.

Posted: 22 Oct 98:

I don't understand the gripe! Pay the money. General Vaught did an incredible job of bringing this memorial to its fruition. You should be proud that the women got this thing going without a bunch of stuffy male lawmakers who would have done a half rate job to begin with! Actually if you were waiting for Congress, it would not EVER have come to pass. Also I have the feeling of the memorial belonging to me more than it would have otherwise. This memorial is a testament to our hard work and sacrifice, be a part of it.

Posted: 31 Aug 98:

After reading the messages, it appears that this matter is a generational issue. As far as I was concerned, this memorial was in time for many of the WWII veterans to see and enjoy of which my mother was one and who did not live to see the 80s. The donations I gave was to honor her and her generation. The fact that I too served was not an issue. However, we were privileged enough to be able to take our whole family to the gala and other events and were honored to sit at a table full of WWII veterans. The women serving in the 80s and 90s don't remember the demonstrations and when it wasn't safe to walk in uniform in the Nations capital. Today I see these women serving in roles that we could only dream of and obtaining training in fields that were closed to even the Vietnam era women. The $25, whether they register their name or not, seems a small price to pay to honor the women who made it possible for them to achieve these heights.

Posted: 31 Aug 98:

I first heard of the memorial back in the 80's. I received a "notice" about it in my monthly VA disability check. I held onto that notice for some time till I could send in my $25. Everytime I received a catalog from WIMSA, I ordered something. I think that my smallest order was $50. I wanted to do more. I became a Field Representative when I lived in Florida. So now I am doing more for "My Memorial" I told all the female Vets at my chapter of the DAV about the memorial. I made a solemn vow that I was going to go to the Dedication and by God, I made it. This was history in the making. I could not miss this opportunity. I got some great pictures while I was there. I even got one of myself with General Vaught. I salute a sharp and perfect salute to the General, for she is the sole driving force behind the Memorial. I met up with a group of female Veterans from Florida while I was there. They have started the "Women Veterans Organization". They are after me to start another "Branch" of the WVO here in Mississippi, so if anyone is interested, E-mail me (MSWomnVet1@aol.com) and I'll send you the information.

Posted: 31 Aug 98:

I am very grateful to all of those who have worked so hard to get women in/and those who have served the military the recognition that we all deserve. This memorial is truly mine because I have helped build it, run it, and I have contributed money on numerous occasions. This memorial means alot to me and to many women. I am not the wealthiest person on this planet but, I managed to scrape a couple of dollars to send in my registration and in the process I may have sacrificed a dinner out or a new pair of jeans. My memorial will stand for decades and will serve to educate future generations especially young girls that anything is possible. To the dedicated staff and all those who have contributed I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Someday soon I want to take my young daughter there to see for herself that she truly holds the key to her future....Sonia, USMC

Posted: 31 Aug 98: "In Response to the 5 Nov 97 Post"

I submitted a response earlier and was offended by the Army officer who wouldn't register because of the fee (I think this is the first memorial where money was solicited), she stated. Okay this is the first memorial where money was solicited, SO WHAT!!! The memorial is here and its time to support it. Quit being so petty and so self-centered! You were an officer and I am sure that you could easily afford to spend the twenty five dollar registration fee. As a woman and a member of the armed services you should know by now that women are not readily recognized. We need to accept the recognition and honor that we all deserve any way we can. Because of this attitude and catty behavior, this memorial will NOT succeed. Stop with the "stereotypical" female behavior and support this memorial.

Sonia --- USMC

Posted: 27 Jul 98: "A Concerned Veteran Writes...."

In the 22 July Washington Post there was a story about the new women's memorial in Washington. They are having money problems. Two million dollars is needed to get them caught up. I intend to make another contribution and I was wondering if you could put the word out on your site. This memorial is for every woman who served or will serve and we need to support it! Thanks!,

Posted: 1 Jun 98: "Why Register for a Fee? Why Not?"

Listen, this may surprise you but not everything in the military is free! Aren't you finding that out with healthcare issues? Well neither is recognition free! God Bless those (especially General Wilma Vaught) for taking on the fight (yes bloody fight) to get us a memorial!!! I'd rather pay a fee or donation (whatever you want to call it) and have the memorial, than have nothing I can call MINE!!! I was raised an Army Brat (dad spent 28 years in uniform), then I spent 21 & a half years in uniform, and I deserve that memorial and don't mind paying for it. For those who can't afford the fee, then thank goodness it's been waived - but for those of us who can afford it - let's make it possible to keep our history alive! HOOAH!!!

Posted: 22 May 98:

As a Vietnam Veteran, we have supported WIMSA since inception. At two conventions which I attended, we passed the hat and raised a few dollars. When my wife and I had an opportunity to both register our daughter, USN Desert Storm, we didn't even think about the fee. We just sent a check. We have visited the Memorial once and did not see everything. We'll be going back again soon.

Posted: 12 May 98: "WIMSA Field Rep and Proud of it!"

I just happen to be browsing the total concept of this homepage and discovered this opinion topic. There is no one more proud than I over the WIMSA Memorial (except Ret BG Vaught, that is). As an active duty soldier of almost 14 years, I first learned about the memorial while stationed in Georgia. After PCSing to my present duty station, I learned that the officers were aware of the memorial but the enlisted were not and there wasn't a field rep in the immediate area. That's the only information I needed...I quickly went to work. The $25.00 is a suggested fee and when it is explained and the honor that each servicewoman has given and continues to give to this country and that this is a LIVING memorial because of them, somehow $25.00 doesn't become an issue. I had the honor of attending the opening dedication and it was AWESOME! If you weren't proud and lacked knowledge before the event, you were more than proud and you lacked nothing at the conclusion of the dedication. I registered over 200 service women from this area (prior to dedication) and the campaign continues on a daily basis. I have mailed applications around the world to anyone I know who qualified and hasn't registered. We should be proud of our accomplishments. With all that is being portrayed in the news (sexual harassment from our Commander in Chief on down), we should be thanking all the people who make us shine in a positive manner. I challenge you to educate our service women about WIMSA and I believe they are intelligent enough to decide for themselves. (Trust me, I'm educating the males and females alike on this issue and it's not an easy task.) Have a Blessed day! E-mail: OhSukkiNow@aol.com

Posted: 7 Mar 98:

Anyone who read the application to become registered at the Women's memorial can see that it says "donation". I'm sure that every one of us has been frivolous with our money in one way or another; in buying fancy clothes, shoes, make up, getting your hair done, those new fake nails, entertainment, lottery tickets; you name it. Be frivolous for yourself, or another woman veteran and pay the $25.00. Or don't pay. Either way, register!!!! I'm ashamed of the retired army officer who thinks its an insult to have to pay to register. Give me a break. How many times did you choose to donate to something on active duty that you felt was important; and what about the expensive uniform items we have to pay for? You did it, right? Well, dig down deep into that petty pocket you call pride and register in support of the women's memorial! I'm sure you took advantage of the great things the military had to offer, take advantage of this one too!

Posted: 3 Mar 98:

What a great tribute! I was able to visit the end of October '97. It brought tears to my eyes and I was moved more than I had thought I would be. It is a beautiful building and the plans to use it as a training resource are the right thing to do. When I was there I checked to see if my earlier registration had been logged...it was not, but that did not keep me from reentering my paperwork and sending another $25. I also had made contributions through the CFC while still active duty. I really wanted to see this built. We deserve it and it has happened! It has information women from every faze of the American development. Need I say that I am proud? Thank you. Sharon, USN Retired. 1975-1995

Posted: 12 Jan 98:

I just found this website, and found it interesting to read others opinions regarding the donation to the Women's Memorial to be registered. I've known about this project since the late 1980's, I have always supported it, because I believed in having "Our Memorial" and in order to have it there had to be $$$. Someone mentioned that the men did not have to pay for their Memorials, well the men and women listed on the Viet Nam Wall have paid dearly - with their lives. I am a member of the Navy Memorial which "suggests" a donation of $25 for designated information, very basic and another $25 for your picture. My father's era, The Korean Conflict asked for donations to build their Memorial. So what's the big deal, give if you can and if not just tell them and you will be registered anyway, the point is to get registered so that history will reflect your contribution to this country's defense!!! Peace.

Posted: 31 Dec 97:

I think you miss the point. The memorial is to honor all women and it is a LIVING memorial. The $25.00 registration was to help fund the building of the memorial and maintain it. No one is forced to pay $25.00, you can register for free if you don't have the money. There is no memorial like this one for the "men". There is no other memorial like this one period! It is a good thing and it gives you a safe way to find your friends and family members. I am a field rep for WIMSA and the chairman for my state. I think OUR General has done a fine job! If you don't want to be registered then don't. The only reason we didn't get as many registered for the dedication to become charter members is we really did lack on the press. Not enough information went out to the public. Everywhere I went, every meeting I attended and made a presentation, people had never heard of the efforts for the memorial. I am proud of our memorial!

Posted: 29 Dec 97:

I know the fee is voluntary but others have been told otherwise. Too bad but if you want to be part of history, is $25.00 really such a high price? It shouldn't surprise women that men are not required to pay a fee to register for their monuments! Since when do we receive a fair shake? The important thing is that General Vaught and others had the courage and fortitude to continue until the monument was a reality! I was at the dedication and I would go again. In fact, we intend to go to DC in September of 98 with military women who were not able to attend before and have some special needs.

It's high time that women start helping women instead of being so critical of everything! It's not easy to be in charge like Wilma Vaught. I'm sure she had some doubts along the way. I know I would have.

Each women needs to write their congressional representatives and ask for the $1.00 per women veteran in their states be made available for the WIMSA memorial. PUT UP LADIES OR SHUT UP!!!

Posted: 8 Dec 97:

I would not have been upset about the fee if I had had to pay it. I actually didn't know about the memorial until the DOES (sisterhood of the Elks Lodge that my husband is a member of) wrote me and asked if they could sponsor me! Most of the members at the lodge knew that I had been a WAC and proud of it, so when they received the information, I was the first one they contacted.

Like I said even if I had to pay myself I would have, yes it would have been nice if the government would have taken upon themselves to have done it for us, but every new venture has it's snags. Give it some time.

Besides the government doesn't pay the dues for the VFW, AMVETS, or the American Legion and I haven't heard any complaints about that. I'm finally going to join the American Legion this month, been wanting to do it for years, just never got around to it, had too many fraternal organizations I was paying dues to.

Also, has anyone seen the list of states that has donated money, I'm proud to say that my adopted home state of Iowa is high on that list, they helped build it, we can help support it.

Posted: 2 Dec 97:

Some people would find something else to complain about if it was not the registration fee. "SHOW WILMA THE MONEY". She has done a great job and we should all be very thankful for her efforts. A donation is the least we can or should do.

Posted: 19 Nov 97:

As far as I can remember, the $25.00 fee for WIMSA has always been a voluntary thing - the reason it was being asked for - was so that it would cover the costs of entering it into the register - if one can't afford it, it's not necessary - I can't understand why anyone would be displeased! I'm the co-chair for the field reps for Florida - and have always told anyone who wanted to become a member that they do not need to pay that $25. if they can't afford it....it's just beautiful and I'm so glad that I could be there for both ground-breaking and dedication!! Please join - don't let the money stop you - think of the wonderment of your children, their children and their children when they see your name listed in the registry as one of the proud women who protected our wonderful country....

Posted: 11 Nov 97: "Not enough Press!!!!!"

I believe the problem is that there has not been enough press on this issue. I received one mailing two years ago about the memorial. I could not believe it. I did not know if it was a joke or not, so I ignored it. I was able to attend the dedication only because my Women's Health Issues contact at my local VA Hospital sent me a letter two weeks before the event. I would be willing to join an organization with woman of the military if I knew how to. When I logged onto the WIMSA website it did not show how you go about it. I wanted to be included in the memorial, but again I could not see how. I would be willing to pay for a membership of around $40, but would expect some kind of organized activities to be developed.

Posted: 11 Nov 97: "Doesn't Bother Me"

When I registered with WIMSA, over two years ago (and I was an active duty officer), I didn't even blink at the $25 registration fee -- didn't bother me one bit. I was thrilled to reserve my deserving spot in history.

Posted: 5 Nov 97: "Why Women haven't registered"

>WASHINGTON -- Wilma L. Vaught is perplexed, disappointed and baffled by the meager number of women, particularly those on active duty, who have registered with the Women's Memorial.

>"We thought at least 350,000 women would register, but it doesn't look like we'll have that many," said Vaught, president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation, Inc. With the Oct. 18 dedication day looming, only about 11,000 of more than 200,000 women on active duty have registered, she said.
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I don't know why Wilma is so perplexed. I am a recently retired Army Officer, now working in the Washington DC area. I can tell you why I, and the other women from the tri-services I have spoken to and with whom I served in the 80s and 90s, have not registered. It's the registration fee. We are insulted that no federal memorial in the past (to our knowledge) honoring the men required them to pay a fee to receive said honor. It kind of ranks right up there with "no purchase necessary to win", when everyone knows (believes) that those who don't "buy", don't win...

I support the project. I even purchased two raffle tickets several years ago when they were raffling off that house. But I will not pay to have my name added, nor will I permit members of my family to "honor" me by paying the fee for me.

I now note that the "fee" is not a prerequisite. I wonder how many women who served realize that the fee is now being called a donation and one that is, apparently, voluntary. Take away the registration fee and I'm willing to bet registration numbers will climb rapidly.