VIA: e-mail:
for <abilitec@iglobal.net>; Wed, 31 Mar 1999 20:29:07 -0600 (CST)
Received: from JohnDV8@aol.com
Subject: The Truth Will Set Us Free
[In a message dated 3/31/99 2:17:11 PM Pacific Standard Time, Jim wrote:]
<< I need some information and only you know the answer. When I go before these SCI guys, what will be the worst they'll say against you and the VCV?
Where will they hit you, how have they hit you in the past, and what defense do I need to come back with to counter their accusations in your defense? >>
[To which, John Devitt replied:]
What's the worst they can say about me and the VCV? I guess that I'm a chump?
Hell, what CAN they say? VCV is the Vietnam veterans organization, a not-for-profit group, who supported the idea and hard work of two of it's members way back in December of 1982. The theft of The Moving Wall by sci is low enough.
For them to try to attack me or VCV will show the world their hand. They did not conceive the idea for a traveling memorial. Until we completed construction of The Moving Wall, there was NO traveling memorial in this country.....EVER. The Moving Wall was on the road for six full years before SCI called and tried to get me to cancel current sponsors so they could be the sponsors. They weren't interested in getting involved with The Moving Wall if it was in a town where they had businesses. They only were interested to be involved if it was ON THEIR PROPERTIES.
Neither myself nor VCV needs any kind of "defense" from anything SCI has to say on the subject. They can't bs ANY of us who have been working on the project since the beginning....long before SCI ever thought about capitalizing on what we had done.
I am unable to understand how ANY veteran could support the SCI wall, no matter what SCI says. VCV has always been a Vietnam veterans organization with NO agenda other than giving honor and recognition to our fallen brothers and sisters. That is our very first Statement of Purpose in our Articles of Incorporation. I don't think anything of that nature is in sci's Articles of Incorporation, do you?
VCV has a track record: at no time in the 15 years The Moving Wall has been on display has there EVER been any literature at the Wall site even mentioning VCV. We have NEVER solicited membership at the Wall sites. We have NEVER sold even one item at the Wall sites. We don't pass out literature asking people to donate towards The Moving Wall. We have NEVER written or mailed fundraising literature, or made telephone calls soliciting donations. It's pretty obvious what we are about.
Now what about SCI? The largest funeral home and cemetery corporation in the world is in business for one, and only one, reason: THE BOTTOM LINE. They are NOT in business to memorialize people or events. They ARE in business to make money. Pure and simple. Everything SCI does - EVERYTHING - has to do with generating MORE money. They DO NOT, NEVER HAVE, NEVER WILL, do anything that will COST the company money. They are NOT a not-for-profit veterans organization.
Defense? No, Jim....sci is the one that needs a defense. Our records are out in the public eye. All anyone has to do is OPEN their eyes.....
Good luck with your meeting. If you feel a phone call during the meeting is needed to set the record straight, please do not hesitate.
In Peace and Patriotism,
John