With less than a month to go before its dedication, the nation's first memorial to women who served in the military is facing a huge shortfall in funds, in part because of lackluster support from those the memorial will honor.
So few women - both those currently in uniform and those who served in the past - have sent in a $25 historic registry fee or other donation that it is likely the memorial will open Oct. 18 at least $2.5 million in debt, according to retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, head of the memorial founda-tion.A dearth of contributions from private industry, especially defense contractors, also has led to the dire financial straits of the $21 million Women in Military Service for America Memorial, Vaught said.
"It's been disappointing," said Vaught, who even so has not given up hope that a last-minute infusion of money can allow the combination memorial-learning center to meet its goal of opening debt-free.
Congress requires the memorial, the first national site to honor all 1.8 million women who have defended America through its history, to be entirely self-supporting. Located at the entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the memorial will be underground beneath a sweeping new marble terrace and gateway to the burial grounds.
Adjacent will be an education center, with a theater, hall of honor and computer registry that hopes to include the photos, military histories and individual stories of as many current and past servicewomen as possible.
To meet its budget goal, the memorial's backers had counted on 500,000 of the 1.2 million living women veterans, 270,000 current active-duty service women, and 135,000 female members of the National Guard and reserve to pony up at least the $25 registry fee. (Others, such as family members or friends, can submit the name of any woman with military service experience, and the $25 fee is voluntary for all.)
But so far, only 175,000 women have been registered. With an expected last-minute rush, Vaught hopes the tally in hand by dedication day will be about 250,000 - half of the budget goal. Names also can be submitted after Oct. 18.
Vaught blames procrastination, a lack of national attention and indifference to the cause of honoring women as the reasons for the dearth of contributions and resulting financial crisis.
In a sense, she says, the tepid support reflects the way society and historians have largely neglected the contributions of women through the years to the nation's defense. It is precisely that long indifference that gives the memorial its significance.
"From the very beginning of women's service there have been tremendous barriers that have had to be overcome," Vaught said. "This recognition has been long in coming."
She said she is particularly disappointed in the lack of strong corporate support. So far, the government markets division of AT&T is the biggest giver, with a $1 million donation, and a General Motors subsidiary gave $300,000.