DELRAY BEACH, Fla. (May 27, 2008) – Lois Pope, chairman of the board and co-founder of the Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation announced today that Dennis A. Joyner has been elected to the organization’s board of directors. Mr. Joyner, who lost both legs and an arm during the Vietnam War, served as National Commander of the 1.3 million-member-plus Disabled American Veterans (DAV) from 1983-84.
“I am honored to serve on the Board of the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial,” said Mr. Joyner. “This memorial, which will honor the countless men and women who have willingly sacrificed so much of their lives to protect our country, is long overdue.”
During Mr. Joyner's term as National Commander, President Reagan named him the nation's Handicapped American of the Year, and he was honored as DAV's National Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year in 1977.
He served in the U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division, in Vietnam. While on patrol in June 1969 in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, he became a triple amputee due to a land mine explosion. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
“Dennis is a perfect example of the brave veterans we seek to honor with this Memorial,” said Mrs. Pope, “I have no doubt that he will work tirelessly along side the rest of the Board to see this project through to its completion.”
The combat vet is a member of various veterans', community and professional organizations. While living in Pennsylvania, he was appointed by then-Governor Richard L. Thornburgh to serve on that state's Vietnam Herbicide Commission. Mr. Joyner’s DAV leadership includes all elected offices in DAV Chapter 36 in Vandergrift, Pa.; service as an officer in the DAV's Department of Pennsylvania; and two years as DAV Department of California Adjutant. He also served as President of the DAV Vietnam Veterans National Memorial Corporation from 1986 to 1998, when the corporation made a gift of the Memorial to the David Westphall Veterans Foundation. Additionally, he serves as Secretary-Treasurer of the DAV National Service Foundation Board of Directors and in various leadership positions at the Department and Chapter level in Florida where he now lives.
Mr. Joyner earned his a bache\lor's degree in accounting at Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, in 1975, and his associate of arts degree from the Community College of Allegheny County in 1974. His professional experience includes four years as Westmoreland County Juvenile Service Center Accountant and as Fiscal Manager for the Westmoreland County Courts, Greensburg, Pa. He was appointed Westmoreland County Court Administrator in 1979, responsible for administration of the eight-judge court system and all court-related offices. In Florida, Governor Jeb Bush appointed Mr. Joyner Supervisor of Elections for Seminole County, in January 2004. He retired in January 2005.
The mission of the Disabled Veterans' LIFE Memorial Foundation, Inc. is to raise the funds necessary to design and construct the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. It was established in 1998 through the combined efforts of philanthropist Lois Pope, Foundation chairman; Mr. Arthur Wilson, National Adjutant of the Disabled American Veterans and Foundation President; and the late Jesse Brown, former Secretary of Veteran Affairs and the Foundation's first executive director.
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to raise the funds necessary to build the Memorial. The Foundation subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, and is a registered charitable organization in all states and jurisdictions that require it. The U.S. Congress approved this national Memorial to be built in Washington D.C. with the passage of Public Law 106-348. Sponsors of the Act included Senators John McCain (Arizona) and Max Cleland (Georgia), and Representatives Sam Johnson (Texas) and Jack Murtha (Pennsylvania).
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will transcend military conflicts, service branches and generations and will express America's lasting gratitude to the men and women whose lives were forever changed in service to our country. Commanding an impressive two-acre site within full view of the U.S. Capitol, the Memorial will be located adjacent to the National Mall and across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanic Garden at Washington Avenue and Second Street.
A recent $3 million pledge to the Memorial by H. Ross Perot brought the campaign total to date to $55.1 million just $9.9 short of the $65 million goal. The Foundation plans to complete construction and dedicate the memorial in 2010.****
Dennis Joyner
He served in the U.S. Army, 9th Infantry Division, in Vietnam. While on patrol in June 1969 in Vietnam's Mekong Delta, he became a triple amputee due to a land mine explosion. He received the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Lois Pope announces H. Ross Perot, Sr. $3 million gift to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial
The Disabled Veterans’ LIFE Memorial Foundation announced that businessman H. Ross Perot, Sr., has pledged $3 million to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. Perot’s pledge brings the Memorial capital campaign $55.1 million just $9.9 short of the $65 million goal.
The late Leo Albert of Palm Beach donated $2 million to the Memorial and LIFE’s (Leaders In Furthering Education) annual “Lady In Red” gala for the last several years which is held in Palm Beach has benefited the Memorial, bringing the total to $3.5 million raised on the Island toward the goal.
The 2008 “Lady In Red” gala will be held on November 29 at The Breakers (chaired by Lois Pope and Suzi Goldsmith) and will benefit the Memorial as well.
“We asked Ross Perot to donate one dollar for each of America’s three million living disabled veterans,” said Foundation chairwoman Lois Pope. “The generosity of this gift reflects the depth of his commitment to those who sacrifice so much in service to their country.”
Perot’s pledge is the largest individual gift received from outside the Foundation. The pledge will be paid in three annual $1 million installments beginning this month.
“So much is given every day by our men and women in uniform, and so little is asked of us in return,” Perot said. “Their Courage Endures is more than a tagline; it’s a badge of honor worn by millions of disabled veterans. The Memorial is our opportunity to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten. I am proud to have been asked to be part of that effort.”
The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will transcend military conflicts, service branches and generations and will express America’s lasting gratitude to the men and women whose lives were forever changed in service to our country.
Commanding an impressive two-acre site within full view of the U.S. Capitol, the memorial will be located adjacent to the National Mall and across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanic Garden at Washington Avenue and Second Street.
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Ross Perot with Lois Pope
"Lady in Red" pre-gala party at Tiffany & Co.
Big gala is November 30, 2007 at the Mar-a-Lago Club
(L-R) Chairwoman Lois Pope, Tiffany's Jeff Bateman, Chairwoman Suzi Goldsmith
Trudie and Hans Behr
Jeannine Merrien and
Barbara Rentschler
Judy Snyder and Mac Schwabel
Paul and Judy Hyman
Alton and Sharon O'Neil with Patrick Park
Dominick and Elissa Paparone
Mary Bryant and David McCourt
Barbara Katz and Amy Beyers
Lois Pope and Patti Travis
Herme de Wyamn Miro and Sally and Dick Robinson
Suzi Goldsmith and Matt Kutcher
Stephen Levin, Janet Pleasants and Michael Reiter
(L-R) Kelly Slater, Earvin "Magic Johnson, Marc Buoniconti, Lois Pope, John Elway, Lesley Visser, and Janet Evans
Lois Pope, Joe Morgan and Marc Buoniconti
Ervin "Magic Johnson, Marc Buoniconti, and Lois Pope
(L-R) Jennifer Tom, Irene Gaines, CCNY President Dr. Gregory H. Williams, Michelle Ritter, Mrs. Lois Pope, Sophie Davis Dean Stanford A. Roman, Ashley Parks and Sergio Galeano.
CCNY President Dr. Gregory H. Williams with Lois Pope.
"Leo Albert lived life to the fullest. Now it is time for us to do the same and always remember him for his kindness and generosity to those in need." -Lois Pope
"The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial will celebrate those men and women whose lives are forever changed in service to our country. For the first time, America will honor some of our nation’s most courageous heroes – our disabled American veterans – the ranks of which today represent more than three million living men and woman and all those who have passed before them."
-Lois Pope
Suzanne, Avery Elizabeth and Scott Rehl
Lady in Red Pre-Gala party
at the home of
Craig and Michelle Millard
-November, 2007
(L-R) Elizabeth Bowden, Michele Millard, Joan McGowan
(L-R) Michael Reiter, Janet Pleasants, Matt Kutcher
Lois Pope Marks the late Leo Albert’s 87th Birthday with Friends, Family & Fortune Cookies
As a great hostess Lois Pope knows how to celebrate a very special occasion, and that’s exactly what she did on Tuesday October 9th in honor of the late Leo Albert’s 87th birthday. This festive evening at The Beach Club with Leo’s family and friends began with cocktails in the library.
After guests were seated for dinner, Lois made a toast to Leo recognizing his generosity, philanthropy, zest for life and gift of friendship to so many people. A Chinese dinner buffet, complete with chop-sticks and fortune cookies of course, was followed by a traditional birthday cake served with champagne for dessert.
Table décor of cookie bouquets and balloons completed the celebratory atmosphere, while cookies from the bouquets served as parting gifts for the evening. Among those joining Lois in celebrating Leo’s birthday were Mary and Bob Montgomery, Liz and Rick Heiligenstein, Carolyn, Amanda and Vinnie Ross, Father John Mericontante, Liz and Jeff Bateman, Hermé De Wyman Miro, Dick Robinson, Janet Pleasants and Chief Michael Reiter, Patricia Alvarez, Dr. Dennis Murphy, Paula and Bill Mikus, Sally Kessler and Michele Lopez.
Dennis A. Joyner Elected to Board of
American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial
On November 29th, 2008 Palm Beach will have that familiar rosy glow
as LIFE hosts the 15th Annual “Lady In Red” Gala
On Saturday, November 29, 2008 LIFE - Leaders In Furthering Education will host the 15th annual "Lady In Red" Gala. This year the gala will be held at the venerable Breakers Hotel, Palm Beach. Lois Pope, Petra Levin and Suzi Goldsmith are chairwomen. Mary Montgomery is Honorary Chairwoman. Katie Vecellio is Philanthropy Honoree and Palm Beach Chief of Police Michael Reiter Chief of Police Community Service Honoree. Read more......
Continued LADY IN RED 2007
This much anticipated start of the Palm Beach social season will begin at 6:30 pm with cocktails and a silent auction followed at 8:00 pm by dinner, dancing, music by Soul Survivor and a breathtaking live performance by Dennis Edwards and the Temptations Review. Edward’s unique style, and smooth delivery, made him known as one of the most influential singers in the history of Pop music and brought the Temptations international acclaim, earning them fourteen gold albums....seven Grammy nominations and....five Grammy awards. Still performing to sold-out audiences around the globe, "The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards" stirs the memories of loyal 'Classic Five' fans as they create new fans, both young and old.
Also in store for rosy robed attendees is a southern culinary delight specially created by Breakers Executive Chef of Banquets Jeff Simms, the Red Velvet Cup Cake. The evening will be topped off with a fabulous silent auction featuring such items as an exquisite one-of-a-kind watch donated by Ruby Corporate Benefactor Tiffany & Company. For those looking to save a little on gas while jetting about town, a Vespa will also be up for auction. Guests will be presented with a beautiful table gift also generously provided by Tiffany & Co. Ruby Corporate Benefactors, the highest level, are Tiffany & Co. and Citi Private Bank.
"I look forward to this evening every year,” said Lois Pope, founder and president of LIFE. “Yes, because it means seeing so many wonderful friends, but more because it is a night to raise funds that will honor the brave men and women who have given so much of themselves to serve our country. We can never . . . never forget their sacrifice, their bravery and their loss all in the name of freedom.”
Proceeds raised from this special evening will directly benefit the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial in Washington, DC. The Memorial will be built adjacent to the National Mall and within full view of the U.S Capitol Building. For the first time, America will honor some of our nation’s most courageous heroes – our disabled American veterans – the ranks of which today represent more than three million living men and woman and all those who have passed before them.
For tables, tickets and additional information about the 15th annual “Lady In Red” Gala please call (561) 865-0955 or visit www.life-edu.org.
In 1996, Mrs. Pope donated $10 million – the largest single contribution given for neurological research to the University of Miami. These funds were provided to establish the Lois Pope LIFE Center which is today one of the top neurological research and treatment centers in the world and home to the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
Top photo: Lois Pope received the "Humanitarian of the Year" award from the American Lung Association in honor of the late philanthropist, Leo Albert, who died of lung cancer. Presenting the award is John Gavras, president of American Lung Association in Palm Beach County. Above photo is Lois Pope with American Lung Association benefactors David and Rhoda Chase.
