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HEADLINES 2008
Annual Lavang Gala Harvest Moon Restaurant, 7260 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22042 (703) 573-6000 Tickets On Sale NOW! 240-486-1961 More Vietnam Veterans Involved with VDS More Darrah Hollenbach: Our Volunteer English Teacher's Experience at the Lavang Boarding House. More Students' Appreciations: We invite you to read their stories and journey with them in their sentiments of joy and gratitude. More PAST EVENTS2006 Annual Lavang Gala: More Recognitions: More
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VDS LAVANG APPRECIATION AWARDS
Vietnam Dream for Success would like to recognize individuals/organizations who graciously and generously donate their time and talents to VDS efforts.
On Friday, November 17, 2006 Vietnam Dream for Success will present VDS 2006 Lavang Appreciation Awards to three distinguished professionals from Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP who have been assisting VDS in its initial establishment as a non-profit and also serve as VDS legal counselors.
The presentation of these awards will take place at Vietnam Dream for Success Annual Lavang Gala to be held on Friday, November 17, 2006 at The Pope John Paul Cultural Center in Washington, DC near Catholic University.
CONGRATUTLATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND
SERVICE!
Mr. Philip H. Hecht, Esq.
Ms. Alissa A. Parisi
Ms. Dale Proctor
Vietnam Dream for Success would like to recognize individuals/organizations who effect positive changes to improve the quality of life for the impoverished families in Vietnam.
At its first reception held at the French Embassy in Washington, DC on January 9, 2006, Vietnam Dream for Success honored two individuals for their humanitarian efforts to improve the quality of life for the poor in Vietnam. Mr. Jan Scruggs, Founder and President of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, are working to educate the people of Vietnam on the danger of landmines. Mr. Scruggs also initiated the construction of Vietnam Memorial, the most visited monument in Washington, DC. Fr. Vincent Rigdon, Director of the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Washington, was also honored for his support of the missions in Vietnam for the past six years (see VDS History).
A native of San Francisco, Father Rigdon went to Mount St. Mary's, Emmitsburg, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1977. He also has a canon law degree from The Catholic University of America. Besides serving as an associate pastor and pastor in the Archdiocese of Washington, he has served as a military chaplain in the Air Force.
Besides directing Pontifical Mission Societies, Father Rigdon is a judge in second instance on the Archdiocesan Tribunal.
A wounded and decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, Scruggs felt a memorial would serve as a healing device for a different kind of wound that was inflicted on the national psyche by the controversial war. He launched a campaign to build a Vietnam War memorial with $2,800 of his own money and gained the support of other Vietnam War veterans. A native of Washington, D.C., who grew up in Bowie, Md., he went to American University and the University of Maryland. He has a law degree from the latter.