Lawmaker calls on Virginia War Memorial to open up its wall

A state lawmaker has drafted a bill that would allow the names of more veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to be listed on the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

The bill from Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, would require the memorial to list service members killed in nonhostile activities, such as accidents, in designated combat areas.

Watts said the bill would clarify guidelines for the memorial, which is scheduled to begin an $8 million renovation and expansion next year.

Rick Schumann, a Newport News man whose son died in a January 2005 helicopter crash in the Iraq desert, requested the policy change. Marine Lance Cpl. Darrell Schumann and 30 comrades died when their aircraft flew into a sand storm en route to another mission.

Darrell Schumann received combat decorations and a burial at Arlington National Cemetery, but officials of the

Virginia memorial refused to include the Marine's name on its wall because he did not die from enemy action.

Rick Schumann began researching the issue and found that about 40 Virginians have died in the first Gulf War and in later combat in Iraq and Afghanistan under circumstances that don't fit the memorial's guidelines. He also found several instances of veterans from earlier wars who were listed on the memorial even though they didn't die in hostile action.

A Virginian-Pilot story about his efforts drew support from across the country. "There's been a huge outpouring," said Schumann, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant.

Hal Roesch, commander of the state Veteran s of Foreign Wars, shared Schumann's story at veterans meetings around the state. The audiences have unanimously supported the change, he said.

The VFW has added it to its legislative priorities. Members have written letters to their state representatives and plan to lobby lawmakers at the Capitol next month, Roesch said.

The members understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by service members, he said. "We're just lucky to be able to go over, do our tour of duty and come home," he said.

Hampton Mayor Molly Ward recently met Rick Schumann and also agreed to help. Darrell Schumann had considered Hampton his home. "This is important," Ward said. "This young man deserves to be on the memorial."

Del. Frank Hargrove, R-Hanover, chairman of the memorial's board, and Jon Hatfield, the memorial's executive director, did not return calls seeking comment on Wednesday.

Hargrove expressed his condolences in a letter sent to Rick Schumann in April but said he would not change the policy, which was set in 2002. Hargrove said the supervisory board agreed with the criteria to honor only veterans killed in hostile action.

The Virginia War Memorial was opened in 1956, and includes 11,600 names of veterans killed in conflict since World War II.

The bill drafted by Watts would require the state to memorialize Virginians killed in designated combat areas by hostile and nonhostile actions, and those who died as prisoners of war or were declared missing in action. It would exclude service members who committed suicide.

Watts said the change would have no cost to the state and that she expects few names from previous wars would be added. Watts said she expects to have several co-sponsors before the bill is introduced. If a service member dies in a war zone, she said, "the sacrifice is honored."

The General Assembly convenes next month.

Louis Hansen, (757) 446-2322, louis.hansen@pilotonline.com