Why do you have the One for the Warriors dollar option?

There are 305+ million people in the US, 75.4% of them are 18 and over. That means there’s a lot of potential one dollar donations. We want to make sure people know that a single dollar, if that’s all one can spare, is greatly appreciated.

How do I know this is a legitimate undertaking?

We have posted a wealth of information which includes endorsements, our CV’s (Savage & Regutti), our consultants, our Honorary Chairs, and more. At this stage in our lives, Mr. Regutti and I have our reputations to uphold. Our endorsee’s reputations are also at stake. We will not jeopardize our good names or theirs. If you need personal references, we can supply them.

How do I know where my donation is going or if this memorial will ever be built?

I promised Governor Henry and General Wyatt that this memorial will not be started until all the necessary funds are raised. That way there is no chance leaving an unfinished memorial. I cannot guarantee you it will ever be started until those funds are in place. That support is up to you and other people across the US and abroad. Donations are deposited in our memorial account at First Citizens Bank.

In addition, this is not some unattainable dream or impossible endeavor. Over two years of lab experiments were undertaken to develop the special tributes. Everything else is routine and been done before. The renditions depict how this memorial will look. The only thing we need to build it is the funds.

I can guarantee you how contributions will be used if our target amount is not reached by January 1, 2011. First, personal dedication tributes will be made and presented to the families of each fallen warrior. These tributes are the same ones that are designed for the memorial. They have an permanent indoor life expectancy and will tell their stories 10,000 years from now. Second, we will use the remaining funds to aid the wounded. Every dollar will be well spent.

Why don’t we just let the government build the memorial in DC or on other land administered by the National Park Service or the General Services Administration?

That’s related to the Commemorative Works Act of 1986. One sentence states, "An event or individual cannot be memorialized prior to the twenty-fifth anniversary of the event or the death of the individual." I cover that topic a little more on another page (click here). If you would like to read a more in depth paper please go to our Press Room and read Honoring our fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq.

What is the target amount?

At present that would be $35 million which includes a $10 maintenance endowment. We hope to raise much more so we can create a separate endowment to provide aid to wounded warriors. Compared to recent memorials, this one is very reasonable. The WWII Memorial cost $184 million - $195 was raised. They have raised over $300 million for the 911 Memorial. Apart from memorial giving, Senator Obama raised $40 million in March 2008 alone for his presidential bid.

You don’t have a vast fundraising apparatus like the presidential candidates. Do you believe you can raise that kind of money?

With your help and a small donation - possibly one dollar - yes. The Internet provides us with the same reach it gives the candidates. If each one will reach one, millions will soon know about this memorial and the dollar option. If Senator Obama can raise $40 million in one month, I believe we should be able to do the same, speaking of dollars, to honor our fallen. It might take a little longer because we don’t have his vast network of volunteers.

Isn’t charging one dollar to my credit card a little ridiculous?

Not at all! It’s easy. It’s fast. It’s secure! When I installed the shopping cart, I and several colleagues tested it repeatedly using our VISA, MasterCard, and PayPal cards. My statement simply reflected multiple one dollar charges. The card companies don’t mind. Every charge makes them a few cents.

If giving only one dollar is the issue, please consider one of our other support levels. But if you can only commit one dollar, you can still download our fine looking Support certificate. A link can be found on your receipt.

Final thoughts – from me to you.

The bottom line is - we need your help to build this memorial. We have laid all the ground work. We developed the tributes, designed the memorial, found a beautiful location, created the Web site, and lined up the contractors. We will be approaching selected corporate and private donors, but we hope the major support will come from the average citizen who makes this country great. However, statistics don’t favor this happening. Figures indicate that 80% of funds raised for a large project come from major donors. So why are we pressing on with a dollar campaign? We still hope this memorial will generate participation by a large cross section of our population. If we can convince millions of people to send in that dollar, it will show our service men and women that people across this great nation really do care. It could be viewed as a popular vote on this project.

Here’s what Senator Joe Lieberman said on March 22, 2007.

"Our military is fully engaged in this war, but most of the rest of America is not. Five years after September 11, very little has been asked of the American people. Instead of mobilizing as a nation, the burden of this war has fallen disproportionately on the few... on our soldiers, our brave men and women in uniform.

They are the ones who have put their lives on the line so that freedom may prevail. In this chamber, and across our land, there have been great differences of opinion about how we should pursue the war in Iraq, but there has been great unity of opinion that our troops there should be honored. We must support them."

Larry Diamond of Stanford’s Hoover Institution said, “America is not at war. The US Army is at war. The rest of us are just watching, or just ignoring, while the whole fight is carried on by 150,000 soldiers and their families.”

We appreciate the messages of encouragement. People visit the site, read the material, and then write or call to tell us how much this memorial will mean, what a good thing we’re doing, and offer us a “keep up the good work.” That’s very nice, but how does that help get this memorial built? All that tells us is they support the principle but aren’t quite moved enough to make even a small donation. If giving to build a memorial that honors the young men and women who sacrificed their lives for our country isn’t enough to motivate a compassionate person to part with one dollar, then what is? Please don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the nice messages, and I’m sure each person is kindhearted and well meaning. But sacrifice one soft drink. That dollar will help build the memorial.

I know you’ve heard this before. We all have a tendency to procrastinate. If someone isn’t harassing us with phone calls or mail solicitations, we sometimes simply forget. Or we believe that ‘others’ will help. “My small donation isn’t really that important.” Nothing could be farther from the truth. Every single donation, no matter what the amount, puts us closer to ground breaking.

Here’s my Achilles heel. I’m sitting at my computer and see an item I’d like to purchase or a cause to which I intend to make a donation. Unfortunately, my credit cards are upstairs. Rather than get up from the computer I’ll tell myself, “I’ll do it later.” Many times that ‘later’ never comes. I just forget about it. Unintentionally of course, but it happens. Now I try to live by a modification of the old adage – Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Mine now is – Do what you’re thinking right this minute before you forget about it twenty minutes later. If sticky notes weren’t invented I’d be lost for sure.

Make that one dollar donation now, even if it requires getting up and retrieving that card or check book (we do have a mail in option). It will make you feel good. Then use our Tell A Friend button to inform your friends about what you just did. And finally, print out your certificate, get it framed, hang it up, and congratulate yourself each day for helping to honor these fallen warriors because you helped make this memorial possible.

In conclusion, this memorial makes no political statement. It is not about the rights or wrongs of these wars. I’ve spoken to US and state congressional representatives, mayors, and other civic leaders, both Democrat and Republican. All agree this memorial is timely and non-political. Each representative expressed the same concern. We must honor our fallen.

What are you going to do right now? Whatever you decide, I thank you for taking your valuable time to read this short treatise. I wish you good health and much success in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Jason Savage
President/Project Director