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Lloyd McKenna made the first donation towards the memorial fund. Lloyd was a resident at the Idaho State Veterans Home in Lewiston and admired the original desk top model of the monument. Lloyd would keep saying, “When are you going to build the bronze statue?” And we would reply, “As soon as we can raise the money.” One day Lloyd was in my office. On this occasion he had his checkbook with him. I found this a bit unusual because he had already paid for his rent for the month. I asked Lloyd why he had brought his checkbook along, he said he wanted to make a donation for the memorial. It was at that moment that we received our first donation. His gift was for $100.00. This was the beginning of the project entitled: “I Am An American Fund”. Now I wish all of you could have met Lloyd McKenna. He joined the US Army in Nebraska during WWII. He was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne and was with the first wave of paratroopers who invaded France before D-Day, June 6, 1944. Lloyd was in the Battle of Bulge and other combat assaults. After the war, Lloyd and his wife Mary moved to Idaho where they raise their family. Lloyd passed away in November of 2005. We will miss him and other veterans who have left us. Thanks Lloyd for getting our memorial started.
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Don Brigham is a landscape architect from Clarkston, Washington. Don has helped with several community projects in Washington and Idaho. He also teaches landscape architecture at the University of Idaho at Moscow, ID. Don’s ability to understand his clients and turn their ideas into concepts has been essential in developing the Veterans Memorial for the Lewiston Veterans Home.
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Douglas A. Olsen, Chairman - Mr. Olsen is a Vietnam veteran who served with the U.S. Army from 1970 – 72. He is a graduate from University of Nevada, Las Vegas with a BS/BA in Public Accounting. Doug has worked for the Idaho State Veterans Home – Lewiston since 1997. He is a Lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, and volunteers with the Meals-On-Wheels program.
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Eric Peterson - Mr. Peterson is an attorney with the law firm Clements, Brown & McNichols, P.A. located in Lewiston, Idaho. Eric has helped on several community projects providing legal assistance to non-profit organizations. The “I Am An American Fund” will always be thankful for Eric’s assistance.
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The Kids
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Herman L. Shuping, Jr., Co-chairman - A 12-year US Army veteran and 14-year Army Reserves Master Sergeant, Herman Shuping retired from the Idaho State Veterans Home - Lewiston in 2006. He attended Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, CA and BoiseState University in Boise, ID. Mr. Shuping moved to Hayden Lake, Idaho in 1974. Military assignments took him to Fort Benning, GA, Fort Polk, LA, Fort Carson, CO. Following retirement, Herman and his wife Charlene are showing and training Dachshunds and great Danes for dog shows in the North West. Mr. Shuping is a member of the American Legion, BPO Elks, and numerous Non-Profit organizations. Herman’s daughter Andrea is a major in Air Force and son in law is a captain in the Army Reserves.
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Sharrol St. Marie, Co-Chairperson -Ms. St. Marie is a life-long resident of Lewiston, a graduate of the University of Idaho and a Lewiston civic volunteer. She has volunteered on three other Lewiston bronze projects: Indian Summer, the horse on the front of the county courthouse, Sacajawea statue in the Pioneer Park Fountain, Tsceminicum sculpture on the levy at the confluence of the rivers. Sharrol is a member of the Lewiston Library Foundation, Tsceminicum Club, and is active in her church. She served as Nez Perce County Centennial Coordinator in 1990.
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