Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: SHANTAE DUREN, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: MARCH 11, 2025
SUBJECT: AUTHORIZATION OF AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO HOST THE AMERICA’S FREEDOM TRIBUTE - MOBILE VIETNAM MEMORIAL
REPLICA IN DOWNEY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will consider allocating funds to host the America’s Freedom Tribute, mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica, in Downey. Bringing this impactful exhibit to Downey will honor Vietnam Veterans, educate the community, and foster intergenerational dialogue about sacrifice and service to one’s Country. Approval of this allocation will provide a significant opportunity for remembrance and community healing.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Authorize an appropriation of funds in the amount of $28,125 from the General Fund Balance to the City Manager’s Office’s Special Activities Supplies Account.
BACKGROUND
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national monument located in the National Mall in Washington D.C that honors members of the U.S. armed forces who served and died in the Vietnam War from 1955 – 1975. The Memorial is a black granite V-shaped wall inscribed with the names of the 58,318 service members killed or missing in action during the war. The Memorial was dedicated on November 13, 1982. Transportable replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial were created so those who are unable to travel to Washington, D.C., can honor and remember all those who served.
At the May 28, 2024, City Council meeting, the City Council requested staff research and prepare options for hosting a mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in Downey. In response, at the September 24, 2024, City Council Meeting, staff presented information regarding four organization that provide a mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica. Of the four, only two are available to Downey for use and provided hosting options, The Wall That Heals and America’s Freedom Tribute (AFT). At this meeting, staff was direct to
AUTHORIZE AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO HOST THE MOBILE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
IN DOWNEY
MARCH 11, 2025
PAGE 2
2 proceed with applying to host The Wall That Heals, which is a three-quarter scale replica accompanied by a mobile Education Center.
On September 25, 2025, staff applied to host The Wall That Heals through its parent organization by completing the online application which included providing information in regards to preferred dates, locations, and a background on why Downey would be great location to host the memorial. Staff was notified on November 9, 2024, that the organization received over 140 applications and that the City was not selected as a host location for their 2025 touring season.
Following this determination, staff contacted the AFT, who confirmed availability to present their tribute in Downey on the selected dates of August 7 – 9, 2025 to coincide with National Purple Heart Day on August 7th. National Purple Heart Day honors the brave men and women who have been wounded or killed while serving the US. Armed Forces.
The City of Downey became a Purple Heart City last year.
ANALYSIS
AFT is located in Bullard, Texas and provides an 80% replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The tribute stands 8ft tall and is 360ft long. The City will host the memorial at the Discovery Sports Complex, with the exhibit being open to the public Thursday, August 7th, through Sunday, August 9th, 2025.
Hosting the AFT Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in Downey incurs a total estimated cost of approximately $28,125. This sum encompasses several key expenses, including a hosting fee, travel fees associated with transporting the replica, a refundable surety fee to ensure staffing requirements are met, and a merchandise sales opt-out fee.
Furthermore, the City of Downey will be contractually obligated to provide logistical support for the AFT Vietnam Veterans memorial replica. This includes ensuring 24-hour security for the duration of the exhibit, mobilizing a minimum of 15 staff members to assist with the setup and breakdown of the wall, providing hotel accommodations for the AFT crew members, and supplying 140 pre-filled sandbags for stabilizing the structure. A detailed breakdown of these costs can be found in Table 1.
Table 1
America’s Freedom Tribute
Cost Evaluation
Expense Price
1. Hosting Fee $13,500
2. Travel Fee $1,500
AUTHORIZE AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO HOST THE MOBILE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
IN DOWNEY
MARCH 11, 2025
PAGE 3
3 3. Surety Fee (Refundable) $750
4. Merchandise Sales Opt-out Fee $2,000
5. Hotel Accommodations* $899
6. Security Services* $3,015
7. Staff time and Materials to provide 140
Sandbags* $430
8. Staff Time required for the Tribute Setup and
Breakdown* $6,031
Total: $28,125
Fees marked by an (*) are estimated cost for the City to provide contractually required services and support during the duration of the exhibit.
Final Cost subject to change.
The City will initiate a multi-faceted approach to marketing the event. Professionally printed flyers will be placed at City facilities and distributed at community events. An advertisement will be ran in the Downey Patriot to reach the local readership. City staff will regularly advertise the event on the City’s social media platforms and will share flyers with local social media community groups to maximize online visibility. In addition to posting on the City’s website calendar, an event specific webpage will be created to centralize event details. To maximize reach, City staff will explore using the digital billboard for dynamic advertising, targeting both Downey residents and those in neighboring communities. Finally, targeted email invitations will be sent to local military resource groups for distribution to their membership.
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It is important to note that the funds required to host this tribute were not included in the Fiscal Year 2024 - 2025 budget. Therefore, funding for this event will need to be appropriated to cover the event cost.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Fiscal Responsibility
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
Approval of the recommended action will result in an allocation of funds in the amount of $28,125.00 to be made from the General Fund Balance to the City Manager’s Office’s Special Activities Supplies Account, account number 10-4-1210-0140.
AUTHORIZE AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO HOST THE MOBILE VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
IN DOWNEY
MARCH 11, 2025
PAGE 4
4 ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Tribute Images
AMERICA'S FREEDOM TRIBUTE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL 80% REPLICA
ATTACHMENT A
ATTACHMENT A
COST OF FREEDOM TRIBUTE
ATTACHMENT A