Put a Face With a Name
Project recalls those lost in the Vietnam War.

As the nation struggles to heal from the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, many American families continue to seek closure for personal tragedies resulting from the Vietnam War almost 30 years ago.

To help them along, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has created "The Virtual Wall"—a Web site intended to display the photographs of the 58,226 servicemembers whose names are engraved on the "Wall" at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. So far, the project has collected more than 4,000 photographs.

In addition to this effort, the organization is continuing to sponsor an education center at the Wall as well as working to arrange for an additional plaque to list those servicemembers not named on the Wall.

If you would like to submit a photograph for this project, send a nonreturnable print to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, 1023 15th St. N.W., Second Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005-2602, or e-mail: mfrench @vmf.org. To view The Virtual Wall, visit TROA's links page, www.TROA .org/magazine/links.asp.

Sept. 11 Lapel Pin

Wishing to honor those killed at the Pentagon Sept. 11, Department of Defense (DoD) officials commissioned the creation of a lapel pin to be worn by dignitaries such as President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during a memorial service Oct. 11, 2001.

Since the service, DoD has received many requests for the pin. The manufacturer, C. Forbes Inc., has agreed to produce more for those who were unable to attend the service or otherwise wish to have one.

"We never intended to do anything beyond the ceremony," says Chip Forbes, president of C. Forbes Inc., "but we received reports of so many people wanting to get the pins—family members of victims and Pentagon employees who were unable to attend."

The pins can be ordered through C. Forbes' Web site, available via TROA's links page, www.TROA.org/magazine/links.asp.

Go Army—Go Gridiron!

Among the plethora of college and professional bowl games that dominate sports fans' attention during the new year comes one that honors the talent of the nation's top 75 high school football players and the nation's oldest military branch—it's the U.S. Army's second annual All-American Bowl, scheduled for Jan. 5.

"This is a great opportunity for the Army to help recognize the nation's top football players," says Col. Thomas E. Nickerson, usa, director of advertising and public affairs for Army Recruiting Command. "It is an important part of our continuing efforts to honor students who excel in academics and athletics."

Tom Lemming, the nation's premier high school recruiting expert who selects usa Today's top 25 players each year, selected All-American Bowl participants from a list of players nominated by their coaches. The final 75 players will get an opportunity to play in Alamo Stadium in San Antonio to an expected crowd of 21,000. The game will air live on espn2 at 1 p.m., Eastern time.

TRICARE Gives Smile Insurance

Good dental health practices such as regularly visiting a dentist should begin at an early age. Recent studies have shown that periodontal gum disease, or gingivitis, is the most common cause of tooth loss for both adults and children alike.

Gingivitis is preventable and reversible if caught in time. Approximately 75 percent of American children and adults have some form of gum disease and don't even know it because it is painless in its early stages. Daily brushing and flossing aren't enough. Periodontal disease starts below the gum line, where toothbrushes and floss cannot reach. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to diseases that affect bone, gum tissue, and other supporting tissues of the teeth.

Overall good dental health starts at an early age by establishing good oral hygiene routines and visiting a dentist every six months.

The TRICARE Retiree Dental Program has been available to Medicare-eligible uniformed services beneficiaries since 1998. Enhanced coverage has been available since Oct. 1, 2000. For more information, call Delta Dental Plan of California (888) 336-3260, or visit its Web site via TROA's links page, www.TROA.org/magazine/links.asp.

New TROA Board Members

Cmdr. Scott F. Leftwich, USN-Ret.

Leftwich graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and was a p-3c pilot in vp-56, vp-30, and vp-6. He served as an analyst for the comptroller of the Navy and the director of program appraisal, as military assistant to the assistant secretary of defense for Legislative Affairs, and as a program manager in the White House Military Office. In 1995, he received his master's degree in business administration with honors from Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Mass.

Leftwich presently is the chief operating officer for Community Education Partners, a company that works with urban public school districts to assist low-performing and disruptive students. He currently serves on TROA's Member Services and Finance committees.

Lt. Col. James A. Endicott Jr., USA-Ret.

Endicott served as an infantry officer for several years in Germany and with The Old Guard before earning his law degree from George Washington University and becoming a judge advocate. After serving in Vietnam, he taught at the Army jag School and was the staff judge advocate for the Army Special Forces Center. His final tour was as an assistant to the commanding general of the Army Legal Services Agency.

Endicott served for two years as general counsel of the Department of Veterans Affairs and is now a municipal judge in Harker Heights, Texas. He is the immediate past president of the Texas Council of Chapters of TROA and currently serves on TROA's Insurance Committee.