Art News

Disabled Veterans Memorial has DC Groundbreaking

MIAMI (AP).- For South Florida philanthropist Lois Pope, the journey to create a memorial for disabled veterans began more than 40 years ago when she sang for Vietnam War vets at a rehabilitation center. Pope made herself a promise that night, that if she could ever do something for disabled veterans, she would. On Wednesday, Pope hosted the groundbreaking of The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial. It will be within view of the Capitol on a 2.4-acre plot, across from the U.S. Botanic Garden. Pope, a onetime Broadway actress and singer whose late husband owned the National Enquirer, said at the groundbreaking ceremony that she got the idea for the tribute when she learned — after performing for disabled veterans — that there was no permanent memorial in their honor. “Long after the fighting on the battlefield ends, our disabled veterans continue to fight to reclaim their lives and readjust to society,” Pope said. “Far too often, they are marginalized and forgo