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Rep. Gallegly and Jan Scruggs Debate Merits of Addition to Vietnam Veterans Memorial

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LINDA STOUFFER, CNN ANCHOR: There is a move by a Washington lawmaker to make an addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, but that move is sparking controversy. Inscribed on the Vietnam Wall now are the names of nearly 60,000 people who lost their lives during the war. The addition would honor those who died as a result of the war, for example, from a disease like exposure to Agent Orange.

Well, joining us now live from Washington are California Congressman Elton Gallegly, sponsor of the legislation, and Jan Scruggs, president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, who has concerns about the plaque, we understand.

Thank you, gentlemen, for being with us today.

Representative Gallegly, I would like to begin with you. I know we have mentioned Agent Orange, but there is more to it than that. Who would you like to honor with this plaque?

REP. ELTON GALLEGLY (R), CALIFORNIA: Well, Linda, thank you for having me on this morning. We want to make sure that we recognize all of those who made the ultimate contribution, as a result of the war, whose names are not otherwise not mentioned on the wall. A place where loved ones can go up and place their hand and recognize that the American people have not forgotten their contribution.

STOUFFER: But specifically, you are speaking about veterans who maybe suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and later committed suicide, that kind of thing?

GALLEGLY: Something that, yes, would have been a direct result of their serving in the Vietnam War, and the fact that their names aren't mentioned on the wall, still, they need to be recognized.

STOUFFER: Mr. Scruggs, I know you were urging caution as lawmakers consider this. What do you think is wrong with the proposal?

JAN SCRUGGS, VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL FUND: We need to be cautious modifying the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The power of the memorial is really in its simplicity. Let me state here that we appreciate the efforts by Congressman Gallegly to recognize our brothers and sisters who have died after the war, but indeed they are recognized by the inscription on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which says in honor of the men and women of the armed services of the United States who served.

Other groups would argue that they are not recognized there at all, what about the hundreds of civilians who died? What about the K- 9 Corp? the one million Vietnamese? Asian-Americans would say there is no statue there recognizing them.

How do we protect the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from the United States Congress? Their good intentions are fine, but indeed, let's not turn a great work of art into a sculpture garden.

STOUFFER: Representative Gallegly, what about that? Mr. Scruggs seemed to be saying, enough is enough. What about the inscription, wouldn't it include the people you are speaking of?

GALLEGLY: No, it really doesn't, Linda. In fact, I have great respect for Jan Scruggs. In fact, he was the first person that we met with when we started exploring the possibility of this, met with him in our office, discussed his concerns and, in fact, we felt that he was an advocate.

One of the things we wanted to be particularly careful with is that we did not interfere with the integrity of that great piece of work. In fact, what we are talking about is basically a three-foot square monument that would be on the 13-acre site, but would be removed away from the wall, that would just simply recognize those that are not otherwise recognized on the wall.

I don't think in any way, shape, or form that it would be a conflict, but a compliment. And virtually every veterans group in the entire nation agrees with that.

STOUFFER: And Mr. Scruggs, what about some families, in particular those that suffered because of possible exposure to Agent Orange? Many of those families, in particular, feel that they haven't been recognized for the service and the consequences of that service. Why not give them the memorial, if the families will feel more a part of that honor?

SCRUGGS: First of all, every April, the third Monday in April, which is Patriot's Day, we have a special ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Over 1,000 men have been honored at these ceremonies and we have another one coming up.

The idea of this plaque, I'm not saying it's necessarily bad, I certainly don't impute any bad motives to the congressman or any of the co-sponsors, but we need a 100 percent guarantee that this is the end, that Congress is not going to come up with more and more ideas to change the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. You know, do you want to change the Mozart symphony? Does Congress want to change the Eiffel Tower? Maybe they'll change the pyramids of Egypt next? Let's show caution here is all we're saying.

GALLEGLY: Linda, we're trying to show a great deal of caution and respect. Jan Scruggs has made a great contribution. We want to continue to work with Jan and others to see that that contribution is not compromised, but complemented. That is our objective, and that is exactly what we are going to do.

STOUFFER: Representative Gallegly and Jan Scruggs, I'm afraid we are out of time for this one, Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your time and concerns about the addition to the memorial. There is a hearing on this today. So we will see what happens.

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