This issue our Army Historical Foundation (AHF) Grassroots Volunteer Spotlight features Don Lanman of Riviera Beach, Fla. Don, a veteran of the Vietnam War, has devoted much of his free time to helping other veterans. He serves on the boards of the Florida Veterans Foundation, Military Affair Committee, AAAneurysm Outreach, and Forgotten Soldiers Outreach, helping veterans get important information and assistance with their benefits, mental health support and homelessness aid.
Don explains that his involvement with the grassroots program for the National Museum of the United States Army (NMUSA) was a natural outgrowth of his other work with veterans. He noted, “It’s a real pleasure to see the excited faces of Army veterans when they learn that there is going to be a special museum dedicated to their service and to all Army veterans.”
After first hearing about the Museum, Don became a Founding Sponsor and made a commitment to spread news about the Museum to the many veterans he encounters through his work. Don’s work has taken him to many veterans conventions, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he has brought Museum information to share with the many attendees.
Don can trace his family’s Army service back to the American Revolution all the way up to his two sons who are currently serving in the Army. When asked why the Museum is important to him, he said, “Since 1775 the U.S. Army has been on duty protecting the vision of our Founding Fathers, Constitution and Bill of Right from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. The Army Museum will honor and tell the story of the veterans who gave all on the altar of freedom.”
If you would like to join Don and the rest of AHF’s Grassroots Volunteer team, contact Beth Schultz Seaman at (703) 879-0006 or beth.schultz@armyhistory.org.
