Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial “Celebration of Heroes” Opens Main Street Headquarters!

It was announced by the Platteville Moving Wall Committee that the contract has been signed by the moving wall organization and that the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial will visit Platteville, Wisconsin from July 9, 2009 to July 13, 2009.  The theme will be “Celebration of Heroes”.  Visitors to the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial, which will be located at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus could range from 30,000 to as many as 100,000 during this five day event.

The Celebration of Heroes could be as big as, or bigger, than the Disney Hometown Parade held on July 4, 1998.  As a result, the community has been mobilized to make sure our visitors get a warm welcome and are well cared for.  There will be a large opening ceremony, a large veterans parade and a formal closing ceremony.  Between opening and closing, there will be many related events in the tri-state area for the visiting public during the five days that the Moving Wall Memorial is at the University.

Committees have been organized to handle the event, including, Operations (co-chaired by Roger Reed, local DAV director and Kathy Kopp, Platteville Chamber); Security (co-chaired by Doug McKinley, Platteville Chief of Police, Scott Marquardt, UW-Platteville Campus Security and Laurel Skrede, UW-P Security, Retired); Publicity & Marketing (co-chaired by John Dutcher, Platteville Chamber and Ralph Kluseman, Community, Inc.); Veterans Committee (co-chaired by Louis Kaiser and Tim Murphy); Ceremonies (Deb Jenny, Chair); Parade (Kathy Kopp, Chair); Fundraising (Dennis Cooley, UW-Platteville); Buildings & Grounds (co-chaired by Ken Wiegman and Curt Fatzinger, UW-Platteville); Volunteers (Dorothy Genthe, Chair) and Special Events (John Hassig, UW-Platteville, Chair).

The above groups have been meeting once per month on the third Thursday at 4:00PM at the local VFW Club.  The public is invited to attend.

For a pdf copy of the official press release, click here.

For information on volunteering, contact the Platteville Area Chamber of Commerce at 608-348-8888.  Donations can be sent to the Vietnam Moving Wall Celebration of Heroes fund, P. O. Box 16, Platteville, WI  53818.  Parade applications can be picked up at the Platteville Area Chamber of Commerce and are available online at the Chamber’s website, www.platteville.com 

To go directly to the Moving Wall site click on: www.plattevillemovingwall.com

Home Rehabilitation Loan Funds are available through the City of Platteville Community Development Department

Rehabilitation Loans are offered to eligible residents of the City of Platteville for:

• Necessary improvements or repairs of owner-occupied homes, including the following:  repair or replacement of roof, siding, windows and doors, electrical, heating system, plumbing system, handicapped accessibility improvements or modifications, energy efficiency improvements, and other general improvements.  Homeowner must apply.
• Necessary improvements or repairs of rental or investor-owned properties, including the following: same improvements or repairs as indicated above.  Landlord or property owner must apply.
• Loan funds may also be provided for down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible first time buyers.  Home purchaser must contribute $1000 toward the purchase of home and secure affordable home mortgage from reputable lending institution.  Home purchased maust be vacant or owner-occupied when offer to purchase is signed.  Home buyer is required to complete a HUD approved home buyer counseling program prior to purchase.

Rehabilitation and home purchase loans are no-interest, deferred payment loans.  Payment on the loan is deferred until the home is no longer the borrower's principle residence.

Rental or investor-owned loans are low-interest loans, repaid to the City over a period of 5 years.

All loans are secured by a mortgage on the property.

Eligibility for rehabilitation or home purchase loans assistance is based on total household income, residency, affordability and scope of project.

For more information or to submit an application, please contact:

City of Platteville - Community Development Department
Program Coordinator: Lori Olsen Pink
Phone:  348-9741 x 246 or 935-2326 x 207
Email:  l.olson-pink@swcap.org