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Description
Dedication of the Lural Lee Blevins Veterans Center for Supportive Housing at 845 N 12th Street on November 10. 2017.
Spc. Lural Lee Blevins III was one of 64 Edison High School alumni who died serving in the Vietnam War.
In attendance:
Members of the Blevins Family
U.S. Representative Bob Brady
U.S. Representative Dwight Evans
Mayor Jim Kenney
Council President Darrell Clarke (5th District)
Councilman David Oh (At Large)
Local Veterans and Veterans-support organizations
Philadelphia Boys Choir
A
Hello
and
welcome
I
have
to
tell
you
what
a
profound
privilege
and
pleasure
it
is
to
stand
here
today.
Just
moments
before
coming
up
here.
I
spoke
with
my
dear
friend,
maria
cuomo
cole,
who
just
was
so
filled
with
anticipation
and
excitement
and
pride
about
this
building.
That's
been
here
for
40
years
and
up
until
now
that
we've
all
come
together
and
created
a
new
possibility.
We
have
a
day
that
we
can
celebrate
so
officially
I'd
like
to
welcome
you
to
the
ribbon
cutting
for
the
Laurel
Lee
Bivens
Veterans
Center
here
and
help
Philadelphia
five.
A
My
name
is
Kalia
Ali
I'm,
a
member
of
the
board
of
directors
of
help,
USA
and
I'm
excited
to
have
everyone
here
in
our
city,
my
city,
the
city
of
brotherly
love,
Philadelphia,
so
incredibly
proud.
It
has
been
20
years
that
Philadelphia
has
had
a
wonderful
friend
help
us
a
present
in
the
community,
with
local
stakeholders
and
communities
alike,
to
provide
housing
and
services
for
families
and
veterans
in
need.
Through
public
and
private
partnerships,
we
have
been
able
to
provide
stability
and
opportunity
for
thousands
of
men,
women
and
children.
A
B
C
C
It
looks
like,
and
we
got
a
bit
of
a
chilly
day
here,
so
we'll
try
to
go
as
quickly
as
we
can,
and
then
we
have
some
wonderful
food
afterwards
and
some
tours
of
the
building
and
I
need
to
put
my
phone
on
silent,
so
I'd
like
to
introduce
our
board
member
Tony
Williams
who's,
a
veteran
himself
and
he'd
like
to
say
a
few
words,
and
then
we
will
move
forward
with
our
program.
Thank
you.
D
You
all
I
have
about
45
pages
that
I'm
gonna
read,
but
no
don't
worry,
I've
cut,
it
short,
I've
cut.
It
short.
First
of
all,
I'd
like
to
welcome
my
name
is
Tony
Williams
I'm,
a
director
of
help.
I
have
I've
been
a
director
for
a
number
of
years,
I'm
just
very
privileged
to
be
here
and
thank
you
Maria
for
giving
me
an
opportunity
to
speak.
I
myself
am
a
veteran,
a
veteran
of
the
North
South
War
know
not
the
V,
not
the
not
the
the
civil
war,
but
a
different
civil
war.
D
I'd
like
to
welcome
all
of
our
distinguished
guests.
First
of
all,
with
in
help
David
has
done
an
amazing
job.
He
has
been
someone
on
whom
we
have
relied
for
a
number
of
years
and
he's
just
constantly
taken
on
more
and
more
responsibility.
So
we
can't
wait
to
get
him
going
on
the
next
project
and
the
next
project.
We
hope
we
will
have
all
of
the
partners
we've
had
on
this
one.
The
great
partners
we've
had,
including
the
Philadelphia
Housing
Authority,
the
Philadelphia
City
Council,
the
congressman
Brady
Evans.
Thank
you.
D
Both
you've
been
very
helpful
to
us.
I
am
honored,
as
I
said,
to
speak
as
a
veteran
I.
Have
many
many
colleagues
here
today
who
are
worthy
veterans.
One
of
the
things
I
like
to
say
is:
we
see
a
lot
of
emphasis
on
veterans
with
problems,
and
indeed
we
should
take
care
of
all
of
our
veterans
with
problems
in
housing
problems,
but
not
all
veterans
have
problems
and
we
have
to
rely
on
the
veterans
that
don't
have
problems
to
help
the
ones
that
do
we're.
D
All
part
of
the
same
team
help
has
a
history
of
about
30
years
and
we
started
in
New
York
City,
we've
expanded
to
a
number
of
different
areas,
including
New
Jersey,
Philadelphia
Washington.
We've
recently
begun
work
on
the
Walter
Reed
Hospital,
which
has
been
decommissioned
and
we're
building
housing
for
veterans
at
Walter
Reed.
We
have
made
a
very
substantial
commitment
to
Philadelphia
the
four
projects
that
we
have:
the
five
projects
that
we've
completed,
including
this
one
we've
committed,
probably
about
fifteen
point,
six
million
dollars
of
capital
and
we
hope
that
grows
over
the
years.
D
So,
thank
you
all
the
the
commitment
we've
made
again
couldn't
be
possible
without
our
partners
and
we'd.
Like
to
thank
them
again
now
with
regard
to
the
tours,
I
hope
you
all
take
the
time
to
tour
this
building,
David
you've
done
a
fantastic
job
and
we
enjoy
having
you
all
here.
Thank
you
very
much.
E
F
You
very
much
and
happy
Veterans
Day
to
all
our
veterans,
happy
birthday
to
the
Marine
Corps
hoorah,
thanks
for
letting
me
say
that,
even
though
I'm
not
a
veteran,
so
it's
a
great
pleasure
to
be
with
here
with
you
here
today
with
help
us
a
congressman,
Brady
congressman
evidence.
Our
council
president
car
councilman
Oh
opening
the
Laurel
Lee
Blevins
Veterans
Center
Laurel
Lee
Blevins,
was
a
North
Philadelphia
native
who
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice
to
save
his
fellow
soldiers.
He
was
one
of
the
64
Edison
High
grads,
think
about
it.
F
64
64
people
from
one
school
and
in
the
Catholic
League
27
from
father
judge
seems
that
our
neighbor,
our
soldiers
in
Vietnam,
were
not
well
we're
not
afflicted
with
bone
spurs.
Everybody
seemed
to
go
whether
whether
they
were
drafted
or
whether
they,
whether
they
enlisted
everybody,
went
out
and
did
their
did
their
duty.
Our
veterans
have
given
us
so
much
so
what
it's
so
important
than
when
they
return
to
civilian
life.
We
do
all
that
we
can
to
assist
them.
It
can
be
difficult
process,
but
the
right
supports
in
place.
It
will
be
successful.
F
I'd
like
to
thank
TD
Bank,
the
Pennsylvania
Housing
Finance
Agency,
as
always
thank
you,
was
popular
guy
in
Pennsylvania
right
there,
the
Philadelphia
Housing,
Authority,
liske,
Philadelphia,
the
Home
Depot
foundation
and
the
many
other
funding
partners.
This
has
helped
USA's
fifth
project
aimed
at
helping
Philadelphia's
veterans
and
we
are
lucky
to
have
great
partners
like
them
in
this
city
with
their
assistance.
We
have
made
a
lot
of
progress
to
address
veteran
homelessness
and
they
are
great
examples
of
what
we
can
do
to
accomplish.
F
What
we
can
accomplish
through
collaboration
and
I,
just
want
to
say
that
I'm
was
about
14
or
15
years
of
age
towards
the
end
of
Vietnam
and
had
had
access
to
folks
who
served
in
Korea
and
served
in
World
War
two,
and
that's
how
you
learned
growing
up
in
a
in
a
working-class
neighborhood.
That's
how
you
learn
about
war,
that
you
know,
young
men
and
women
go
overseas,
and
sometimes
they
come
back
in
a
flag,
draped
coffin,
and
sometimes
they
come
back
with
issues
that
that
we
have
to
help
them
deal
with.
F
But
it
is
the
ultimate
sacrifice
and
a
wonderful
show
of
patriotism
for
about
from
our
veterans
and
that's
the
reason
why
we're
we're
free.
The
reason
why
we're
not
speaking
German
at
the
moment
and
because
of
our
World
War,
two
veterans
and
those
in
Korea
of
my
dad
served
in
Korea
and
during
the
Korean
War
on
the
USS
Oriskany
and
all
the
people
I
knew
for
my
neighborhood
that
served
in
Vietnam
I.
Thank
you.
All
god
bless
you
all
and
God
bless
america.
Thank
you.
C
Thank
you
very
much
mayor.
Just
a
little
bit
of
a
quick
little
cliff
note
version
of
this
building.
We
have
37
apartments
in
here.
12
are
set
aside
for
homeless
vets.
The
others
are
set
aside
for
veterans
and
non-veterans
that
are
that
are
60%
are
below
the
area
median
income
and
we'll
get
to
the
funders
a
little
bit
later
on,
but
I
just
wanted
folks
to
know.
C
One
other
thing
is
folks
sitting
in
the
chairs,
hopefully
by
late
spring
next
year,
our
street
soccer
USA
program
will
have
leveled
this
field
out
and
we'll
have
a
soccer
pitch
here
that
will
be
available
for
the
for
the
neighborhood
youth
and
for
others
to
to
work
with,
and
collaboration
with,
directional
health
care
and
and
our
street
soccer
USA
program,
so
I
wanted
to
mention
them.
Lawrence
can
runs
that
program
he's
here
somewhere
and
I'm.
Sure
he'd
be
more
than
happy
to
talk
to
you
about
it
and
there's
a
little
bit
of
information
over
here.
E
Thank
you
and
good
afternoon.
It
is
a
winner
not
for
me.
We
skip
we
skip
right
over
when
I
think
Russia
has
a
winner
in
spring.
We
just
said
some
summer
winner,
whatever
oh
I
I
will
be
brief,
because
I
feel
badly
for
these
young
young
men
back
here
in
their
uniforms
that
are
not
coded
up
and
Bumble
up
so,
but
there
are
just
a
few
people
that
have
been
thanked:
they're
ready,
I
need
to
I.
E
Think
a
few
personal
people
they're
dear
friends,
I
think
our
mayor,
anytime,
I
go
need
anything
from
our
mayor
Mary's,
always
there
and
the
proof
of
these
always
here
and
I,
appreciate
that
our
council
president
dal
cart.
Thank
you.
We're
in
your
district
first
person
I
went
to
when
we
were
do
this
project
was
talk
to
you,
found
the
location
and
more
to
come,
never
another
one!
Coming
in
your
district.
This
is
our
fifth
one
and
I
do
appreciate.
You
know
all
this
done
for
our
veterans.
Hopefully,
one
day
we
won't
have
any
more
veterans.
E
We
will
have
people
that
have
had
been
in
service
right
now
and
we
need
not
to
forget
them
because
we're
here
a
little
cold
but
I
think
they
may
be
a
little
colder
or
men
and
women
that
are
serving
right.
Now,
as
we
speak,
we
can't
forget
them.
One
special
today
on
Veterans
Day,
John
ping
on
John
Palin's
might
cook
go
to
God.
E
Just
can't
stop
crying.
This
is
a
great
honor
for
you
and
for
your
family,
but
we
need
to
do
a
little
bit
further.
I
mean
make
sure
that
that
medal
gets
done.
I
would
be
remiss
if
I
didn't
just
bring
something
up
and
I
know
it.
It's
cold,
but
I
have
to
thank
two.
Ladies
cailli
Ali.
Where
are
you?
You
were
here
a
little
bit
ago?
God
bless
you
and
thank
you.
Maria
Cuomo
god
bless
you
and
thank
you,
and
let
me
tell
you
why
they
don't
have
to
be
here.
E
They
don't
have
to
do
this.
They
could
be
a
lot
of
other
places
doing
a
lot
of
these
enjoy
themselves,
but
they
give
back
they
give
back
to
the
people
that
need
it
most.
They
give
back
to
the
people
that
give
their
make
the
ultimate
sacrifice
and
are
now
fighting
for
us
too.
So
we
can
be
free
and
I
will
never
ever
ever.
Forget
that
to
forget
and
love
them
for
that,
any
time
anywhere
any
place
wherever
you
need
me,
I'm
gonna,
be
there
used
to
be
my
neighbor.
E
G
G
Four
percent
of
Americans
who
serve
in
our
military
today
point
zero
four
percent,
the
total
number
of
Americans
who
have
worn
the
uniform
of
this
country
adds
up
to
1.3
percent
and
it
falls
upon
all
of
us
to
remember
their
sacrifice
that
we
enjoy
today
and
remember
those
who
have
served
those
who
have
suffered
those
who
have
given
their
life
and
those
who
have
come
back
to
contribute,
and
we
collectively
are
remembering
them
today
in
Philadelphia,
it's
a
really
prideful
moment
in
the
best
circumstance
for
our
city.
Thank
you
for
this
dedication.
C
Thank
You
Kent
Thank
You
councilman
I'd,
like
to
invite
the
next
speaker
I'd
like
to
invite
up,
but
first
I'd
like
to
thank
him
personally
for
what
is
almost
now
20
years
of
me
coming
into
his
office
and
talking
about
affordable
housing
projects
in
Philadelphia
and
getting
them
done
so
Darryl
Clark.
Would
you
please
come
up
and
say
a
few
words
council
president
Clark.
H
Obviously
we
want
to
thank
everybody
who
is
participating,
I'm
not
going
to
go
over
the
names
because
they've
been
said
earlier,
I
like
to
take
my
time.
We
want
this
to
be
like
kind
of
quick
and
I
know
it's
a
little
chilly
out
here.
You
know,
unlike
my
prior
two
colleagues,
I
got
a
coat
on
it's
cold
out
here,
but
but
the
some
reality
is
is
that
this
is
a
little
personal
for
me
for
a
number
of
reasons.
H
Obviously
it's
in
a
district
that
I'm
fortunate
enough
to
represent
know
the
history
of
the
district
I
see
we
have
some
residents
here
this
area
when
this
side
was
actually
one
of
the
more
challenged
districts
and
over
the
years
we've
seen
elect
so
after
an
elected
official
come
in
as
we
pulled
up,
I
was
talking,
I
heard
Wetzel.
We
remember
when
we
were
walking
around
with
Al
Gore
when
they
were
proposing
to
give
us
funding
for
this
new
housing.
H
And
now,
when
you
look
at
this
neighborhood,
this
is
the
neighborhood
of
choice
right
in
this
development
and
help
I
want
to
thank
you
guys
so
much.
This
is
the
last
piece
of
the
puzzle
for
this
community:
beautiful
housing,
Truxel
health
care,
and
now
we
topped
it
off
with
this
wonderful
wonderful
facility.
H
The
other
special
reason,
because
I
had
the
pleasure
going
to
Edison
in
the
Edison
64
means
something
to
me.
A
very
personal
note.
I,
like
the
mayor.
You
know
it
was
kind
of
winding
down
at
the
time,
but
I
remember
a
lot
of
the
individuals
that
in
fact
went
to
war.
Had
two
gentlemen
that
lived
on
my
block,
murderuss
Street.
H
They
died
in
Vietnam,
it's
a
very,
very
challenging
time,
and
it's
important
for
us
to
this
sit
the
significance
of
this
particular
development
and
making
sure
that
those
individuals
who
serve
not
only
in
Vietnam
but
across
all
the
wars
be
recognized
so
to
all
of
the
veterans.
I
want
to.
Thank
you
all
so
much
for
your
service.
It
allows
a
little
guy.
Like
me,
34
Norris,
in
the
heart
of
North
Philadelphia,
to
stand.
Here's
the
council
president
of
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
and
that
means
a
lot,
so
god
bless
you
all.
Thank
you
all.
H
Thank
you.
Help
thank
all
of
the
funders
and
I
know
that
you'll
be
in
office
next
week
about
the
next
one
over
there
in
Bloomberg.
I
know
it's
coming,
but
guys.
Thank
you
all
and
God
bless
you
all
so
much
for
you
support
right
now.
I
would
like
to
invite
councilman.
Can
you
come
back
up
to
what
we
like
to
invite
the
family
of
mr.
Blevins
up?
H
On
behalf
of
the
City
Council
of
Philadelphia
I'm,
not
going
to
read
it's
pretty
long,
the
City
Council
of
Philadelphia,
we
would
like
to
issue
this
citation
recognizing
and
dedicating
and
naming
8:45
north
12th
Street
lolly
Blevins
three
veterans
center.
Virtually
I
got
my
man
dr.
Johnson
over
there
Edison.
B
H
H
I
Hello
I'm,
dr.
Johnson,
I
graduated
Edison,
High
School
in
1970,
72
I'm
gonna
be
brief
as
I
can,
but
it's
very
important
that
I
bring
let
you
know
about
some
people
that
are
in
tendons
here
again.
Thank
you,
president,
dr.
Darrell
Clarke
good
morning
to
all
the
distinguished
and
honored
guests,
and
so
many
of
you
Sarah.
If
I
can't
say
all
your
names,
but
not
long
ago,
I
wanted
to
approach
me
wanted
to
know.
We
had
a
Edison
64
young
man
who
attended
the
original
projects.
I
They
were
looking
for
a
worthy
veteran
to
name
this
building
out
there.
Unfortunately,
our
records
aren't
that
complete
and
we
didn't
have
any
matches,
but
I
recommended
specialists
for
Laura
Lee
Blevins
to
third
I
sent
her
some
research
and
I
called
my
friend
Joe
Griffey,
and
he
mentioned
that
he
had
also
recommended
Blevins
as
well.
I
I'm,
not
gonna,
go
into
all
the
details
as
far
as
his
heroic
deeds,
but
there's
a
few
people
in
here
that
I
think
is
very
important
that
you
know
there
are
in
our
audience
back
in
June
2015,
my
life
with
the
Edison
64
took
a
unusual
twist.
I
see
the
call
a
call
in
our
office
from
a
one
mr.
Edie
Tracy
from
Chicago.
Hey.
Could
you
stand
please
thanks
for
bringing
your
cold
weather
Edie,
but
anyway,
so
Eddie
called
me.
I
He
said
he
was
editing
this
book
and
in
the
book
Laurel
Blevins
was
put
in
for
the
Medal
of
Honor,
and
the
record
show
that
he'd
never
received
the
Medal
of
Honor.
So
he
sent
me
a
copy
of
the
book
and
and
not
long
after
that,
I
met
Charles,
W
Charles
W
Newhall.
The
third!
Can
you
please
stand?
He
is
the
author
of
the
book.
The
book
is
entitled
three
or
four
odds:
memoir
of
Vietnam.
In
his
ass,
a
man.
He
was
a
first
lieutenant
Oh,
soon
opportune
leader
with
the
hundred
first
airborne.
I
I
Blevins
is
the
only
one
who
had
been
part
of
that
assault
and
Newhall
was
the
one
who
put
him
up
for
the
Medal
of
Honor
and
in
the
book
you
mentioned
he's
gonna
do
everything
his
power
to
find
out
what
happened
on
October
of
2015
in
honor
of
Levin's.
Mr.
Newhall
had
the
national
book
tour
at
Edison,
High
School,
that's
the
first
time.
I
met
him
and
I
promised
him
that
I
was
going
to
do
everything
I
can
to
support
him
in
his
efforts
to
undo
the
Army's
oversight
in
my
search.
I
found
Elana
Blevins.
I
She
is
here,
as
you
all
met
her
at
the
time
she
is
only
months
old
when
her
father
was
sent
to
Vietnam
I
noticed
that
she
had
posted
that
she
wanted
to
find
the
soldiers
that
her
father
served
with.
So
she
can
find
out
about
a
man
who
she
never
had
the
opportunity
to
know
that
I
also
was
able
to
get
in
contact
with
a
Greg
DeLaurentis
Greg.
Could
you
stand
specialist
Greg,
DeLaurentis
Greg
posted
that
he
would
not
be
here
today
if
it
wasn't
for
Laura
Blevins,
unselfish
actions
and
skills.
I
On
that
final
day,
Blevins
was
responsible
for
saving
him
and
three
other
men
lead
that
Hill
we
are,
we
were
able
to
find
someone.
I
will
find
Ron,
Lipton,
lieutenant
Ryan
Christian
unfortunate
he's
not
able
to
be
with
us
today.
He
had
been
with
Laurel
the
best
and
and
long
learned,
many
of
his
for
observing
skills
from
Ron,
and
at
that
time
he
said
that
he
was
too
just
naturally
fearless.
When
it
comes
to
battle,
then
we
found
out
Steve
McGrew
in
Texas
and
he
was
with
Laurel.
I
In
the
second
day
he's
seen,
a
grenade
explode
between
laurels
legs
and
Laura
was
injured,
but
laurels
still
kept
in
the
battle
and
returned
to
the
field
the
next
day.
And
finally,
we
were
able
to
find
First
Lieutenant
William
Hughes.
Could
you
please
stand
Thank
You
lieutenant
William
use
was
with
Laurel
on
the
radio.
On
that
final
day,
lieutenant
use
on
Hughes
was
coordinating.
I
The
reason
why
I
mention
these
people,
because
because
together
once
we
found
these
individuals,
we
didn't
just
stop
and
just
say
hello
and-
and
you
know
nice,
to
meet
you.
We
we
kept
on
working
on
this
task
to
undo
the
the
oversight
the
army
had
with
law
in
the
Medal
of
Honor
and
then
went
on
August.
The
4th
of
this
year,
October
4th
this
year.
I
We
presented
a
60
page
package
to
congressman
Brady
for
I,
mean
comments
friend,
Dwight
Evans
for
the
Medal
of
Honor,
for
him
to
push
in
in
Washington
and,
along
with
congressman
Brady
were
pretty
sure
that
some
work
and
some
efforts
would
be
done.
So
thank
you
all
for
that,
but
this
here
is
a
special
moment
for
me,
because
these
people,
they
don't
live
in
Philadelphia
and
I,
don't
get
a
chance
to
see
them
very
often.
So
I
wanted
to
take
this
time
to
surprise
someone.
I
She
mentioned
to
me
when
I
first
met
her
and
she
lives
manifest.
She
lives
in
Rocky,
Hill,
South
Carolina,
that's
the
the
hometown
of
my
family
and
how
ironic
imposed
a
riddle
find
her
there
when
she,
when
I
spoke
to
her
on
the
phone
she
mentioned
that
her
family
had
lost
the
flag
that
was
given
to
the
father
mother
at
the
time
of
the
burial
and
I
said:
well,
we're
not
going
to
let
that
hold.
So
at
this
time,
I
would
like
to
present
to
her.
I
J
Good
morning,
ladies
and
gentlemen
and
cadet
takes
our
game.
Christian
Christian
Audrey
goes
the
flower.
United
States
of
America
is
35
that
day
I
come
back
home,
accompanied
Indian,
flag,
wife,
all
over
the
United
States
Capitol
on
our
goes
to
16
2017.
At
the
request
of
their
honorable
Louisa
blood
rush
rush,
Chester
remembered
the
Congress
did
fly
was
funny
memorials.
That's
people
allowed
to
leave
letters.
Sir
August
16
1968
49
years
ago,
sp4
laterally
blazer
made
the
ultimate
sacrifice:
protecting
the
fellow
airborne
soldiers
in
the
HL
Valley
in
South
Vietnam.
I
I
C
C
C
That
was
something
we
are
right
on
schedule
actually,
and
we
are
almost
done
I
promise.
We,
these
buildings
are
not
built
off
of
goodwill
and
cheer,
though
they
are
built
by
partnerships
with
funders.
We
have
a
few
of
them
here
that
we'd
like
to
take
an
opportunity
to
speak
I'm
first,
going
to
invite
Brian
Hudson
up,
who
is
the
executive
director
of
pH
FA
Brian
is
one
of
the
finest
housing
professionals
in
all
of
the
country.
I
think
is
true.
J
K
Than
everyone,
this
is
definitely
a
Chicago
win.
It's
a
pleasure
to
be
here.
I
was
gonna
say
that
as
three
or
four
years
ago,
we
used
to
fund
one
veteran
project
per
round
funding
round
at
pH,
FA
last
two,
two
years
that
we
are
doing
three
to
five
of
them.
So
that
tells
you
the
demand
across
the
Commonwealth
not
very
to
help
those
most
in
need.
I
do
want
to
recognize
my
favorite
board
member
John
P
own.
K
We
continue
to
fight
in
Washington,
I
want
to
thank
congressman,
Brady,
and
certainly
my
good
friend
Dwight
Evans-
to
receive
support
in
DC
to
continue
to
going
David,
congratulations
to
help
and
your
team
fantastic.
You
know
it's
a
great
partnership.
What
more
can
I
say
about
the
boys
choir
talking
about
warming?
You
up!
That's
really
the
message
there
I
do
want
to
share
with
you
a
story,
my
brother,
as
a
Vietnam
veteran.
He
lost
his
disabled
vet.
K
He
lost
his
hearing
in
the
jungle
over
there,
but
the
other
story
I
wanted
to
share
with
you
was
regarding
my
uncle.
He
passed
away
a
few
years
at
the
age
of
91.
He
was
staying
with
my
mother
and
I
came
into
the
house
and
he
was
watching
The
History
Channel.
It
was
on
the
black
tank
battalion
in
World
War
two
and
he
said
I
served
in
hit
battalion
and
I
didn't
take
him
seriously.
Quite
truthfully,
God
I
thought.
Maybe
he
wasn't
all
there
we
sat
down
with
him.
We
got
his
story.
K
He
actually
served
in
the
784
black
tank
battalion.
My
brother
applied
for
his
medals.
He
left
the
war
he
never
applied
for
his
medal,
never
received
him
my
brother
applied
for
them.
He
received
the
occupation,
European
occupation
of
black
tank
battalion
and
Bronze
Star.
With
a
letter
from
President
Barack
Obama
thanking
him
for
his
service,
he
did
get
a
chance
to
also
to
meet
General
Patton
and
we
told
his
story
so
to
all
the
veterans.
I
want
to
thank
you
again
for
your
sacrifice
into
lauralee
Blevins
family.
K
Thank
you
for
your
sacrifice
and
we
need
to
do
more
of
these
and
we'll
be
there
to
help
you
do
more
of
these
David
and
your
team.
Thank
you.
Hey
I
knew
that
was
coming
in
and
I
was
surprised.
Darrell
didn't
say
anything
but
he's
it
would
be
calling
me
so
you
called
Darryl
Darryl
calls
me
and
mayor
Kenny
and
that's
the
way
it
works
right.
Thank
you.
C
L
We
are
proud
to
be
an
important
part
of
this
collaborative
effort
to
provide
provide
affordable
housing
to
our
veterans.
Today's
grand
opening
is
more
than
a
symbol
of
our
collective
commitment
to
our
veterans
is
about
partnering
with
organizations
like
help
USA
and
delivering
on
our
promise
to
help
vets
stabilize
their
lives
with
a
place
of
their
own
near
supportive
services.
Pha
is
thrilled
to
invest
nine
point,
five
million
dollars
to
subsidize
the
37
units
and
help
five
for
the
next
20
years
for
project
based
vouchers
through
project-based
vouchers.
L
This
is
also
part
of
a
broader
effort
by
the
mayor
city,
council,
president
and
city
council
members,
as
well
as
the
state
of
Pennsylvania
elected
state
and
federal
representatives,
along
with
advocates
to
provide
access
to
affordable
housing
for
Philadelphia's
veterans
community.
In
the
past
year
alone,
over
600
veterans
received
access
to
housing
through
PHA
through
the
Veteran
Affairs,
supportive
housing
vouchers,
otherwise
known
as
Vash.
L
Housing
for
veterans
is
part
of
PHAs
goal
for
creating
6,000,
affordable
housing
throughout
the
city
of
Philadelphia
help
five
also
marks,
as
council
president
said,
the
end
of
the
last
vacant
structure
in
the
Richard
Allen
community
between
richard
allen
and
cambridge
plaza
PHA
has
invested
over
120
million
dollars
to
redevelop
and
redevelop
the
west
poplar
neighborhood,
including
the
John
F
Street
community
center,
which
hosts
the
Fairmount
Boys
and
Girls
Club
program.
We
have
partnered
with
Drexel
University
in
the
development
and
expansion
of
a
Steven
and
Sandra
sheller
11th
Street
family
health
services
centered
located
nearby.
L
We
also
partner
with
the
current
nough
Spring
Garden
School,
now
located
a
few
blocks
south
of
here
with
bookbags
supply,
syv
drives
and
information
of
sharing
of
community
resources
on
this
Veterans
Day
PHA
cannot
think
of
a
better
way
to
honor
our
veterans
than
joining
our
partners
here
today
to
celebrate
the
grand
opening
of
a
housing
development
that
our
veterans
can
all
call
home.
That's
what
help
fight
is
about.
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity
to
participate
in
this
event
today,.
C
Thank
you
very
much.
I
need
to
go
off
script
here
and
take
my
piece
of
paper
out
which
I
have
we
had
a
late
substitution
in
speakers
and
I
can't
find
my
piece
of
paper
but
I'm
just
going
to
call
him
by
his
first
name.
Our
tax
credit
investor
on
this
project
is
TD
bank
they're,
our
lender
and
they're
our
partner
in
many
of
our
projects
that
we
do
around
the
country
and
we
really
appreciate
their
partnership
I
believe
they
have
been
a
great
partner
to
us
and
have
helped
us
close.
C
L
M
Think
Ted's
plane
was
grounded
because
it
was
frozen
in
place,
but
we're
going
to
keep
this
really
short
I
had
all
his
Ted's
prepared
remarks
and
I
think
everybody
said
it
all.
I
mean
we
couldn't
be
more
honored
to
be
part
of
this
project
and,
frankly,
honored
for
the
service
of
every
veteran,
and
that
just
allows
us
to
be
here
in
just
a
very
simple
way
to
say.
Thank
you
for
allowing
us
to
be
part
of
this.
M
We
do
a
lot
of
things
around
the
communities,
but
nothing
is
more
heartwarming
than
this,
and
so
for
all
that
cold
and
I'm,
watching
these
poor
kids
stand
over
here.
I
think
I'm,
going
to
keep
these
remarks
really
short
and
get
to
the
really
the
important
part,
and
that
is
TD
Bank,
has
been
doing
a
bring
change
campaign
through
all
of
our
branches.
M
On
November
1st,
through
November
10th,
we
went
to
three
different
stores
in
Philadelphia
raised
a
bunch
of
money
from
all
of
our
customers
who
came
in
and
donated
specifically
for
the
veterans
and
in
turn
designated
this
project
as
the
recipient.
So,
in
addition
to
providing
the
financing
mark
McBride's
here
with
our
community
Capital
Group
who
provided
the
tax
credit
equity,
gloor
bail,
crews
worked
diligently
on
getting
the
loan
done.
B
Thank
You
Greg,
so
I'm
happy
to
be
here
and
I'm
from
Maine.
So
really
this
weather's
nothing,
but
we
did
raise
funds
in
throughout
the
three
stores
in
the
Philadelphia
market,
as
Greg
said
so
I'd
like
to
present
that
cheque
to
you
and
then
we
have
another
special
surprise
on
behalf
of
TD
Bank
through
the
TD
charitable
foundation,
I'm
very
pleased
to
make
another
$5,000
donation
to
help
us
I.
Congratulate.
C
C
G
G
We
believe
in
partnerships,
and
we
have
a
partnership
with
help
USA
that
is
here
in
Philadelphia,
but
also
in
other
cities
around
the
country
and
pleased
that
we've
been
able
to
play
a
role
on
pre
development
and
financing
and
also
in
the
spirit
of
partnership.
We
are
one
family
of
organizations
and
I'm
going
to
save
a
lot
of
our
message
for
my
colleague,
Burkhart
will
follow
and
who
is
so
crucial
in
providing
some
of
the
leadership
and
support
of
help
USA
and
behalf
of
the
equity
team.
G
C
So
we
have
one
last
person
to
speak.
She
came
all
the
way
from
Los
Angeles
and
left
all
the
warm
sunshine
there
I
think
that's
because
she
stopped
in
Chicago
on
the
way
here
yesterday
you
should
just
come
direct
the
airport
takes
direct
flights.
Deb
Burkhart
is
our
partner
at
national
equity
fund.
We
do
I,
don't
know
six
or
seven
or
eight
projects
recently
with
national
equity
fund.
C
Deb
is
one
of
the
leading
forces
behind
the
scenes
on
getting
pre
development
and
and
grant
money
into
these
projects
to
support
veterans
in
supportive
housing
for
veterans
across
the
country.
She's,
a
remarkable
woman,
we're
very
lucky
to
have
a
partnership
with
her
and
with
nef,
and
so
I'd
like
to
ask
Deb
to
come
up.
N
N
N
The
one
Liske
Neff
also
started
with
my
efforts
on
the
board
of
the
National
Coalition
for
homeless
vets,
a
bring
them
homes
campaign
we've
raised
over
four
million
dollars
to
pre
development,
grant
funds
and
help
us
a
has
been
one
of
our
largest
recipients
and
we
were
able
to
the
generosity
of
City
Community
Development
and
that
Life
Foundation
to
bring
$30,000
to
this
project
and
some
money
through
that
help.
Six
project
that
we
keep
hearing
about,
that'll,
be
hopefully
getting
off
the
ground.
N
I
do
want
to
highlight
that
as
tax
reform
is
in
the
news
these
days
and
this
project
we
financed
85%
of
this
project.
We
threw
the
low-income
housing
tax
credit
program
and
the
historic
tax
credit,
so
the
low-income
housing
tax
credits
are
protected.
The
private
activity
bonds
are
going
to
be
protected,
potentially
in
the
Senate
version
that
came
out,
but
historic
credits
guys
historic
credits.
We
are
they,
they
cut
it
in
half
in
the
Senate
bill.
That
would
have
meant
a
million
dollar
gap
on
this
project.
N
So
I
just
want
people
to
remember
it's
important
to
vote.
It's
important
to
hear
your
voice
on
these
affordable
housing
projects,
because
we're
not
going
to
find
this
new
money.
You
know
it's
just
going
to
take
it
even
twice
as
long
to
get
these
projects
off
the
ground,
so
I
just
wanted
to
say
I'm
in
awe
of
health,
USA,
I
I'm
so
proud
to
be
a
partner
in
all
your
veterans.
N
C
C
We're
going
to
invite
the
folks
that
spoke
to
come
up
and
cut
the
ribbon
we'd
like
the
family
to
stand
in
the
center
if
you'd
wish
and
and
do
the
actual,
cutting
and
and
the
choir
is
going
to
perform.
While
we
do
that,
once
that's
done,
we
can
all
get
out
of
the
cold.
Go
around
the
corner
to
the
new
front
of
the
building
and
there'll
be
some
barbecue
from
Dwight's
barbecue.