Dearborn Teacher Honored for Efforts to Recognize Fallen Servicemembers

More than a year of work on a project meant to honor fallen Vietnam soldiers has resulted in high honors for one Dearborn teacher.

teacher Lisa Lark was presented with the Hometown Heroes Award by the HISTORY Channel and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund at a gala in Washington, D.C., this Veterans Day. The benefit raised money for the Education Center, which will be a companion facility to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Lark’s project to find included a partnership with the City of Dearborn and the Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council during the city’s . 

During the parade, each military, veteran or community group carried a sign with a photograph and military service information for each of the 70 Dearborn men lost.

One of the special guests in Dearborn’s Memorial Day parade was VVMF representative Adam Arbogast, who then asked Lark to lead a campaign to gather photos for each Michigan name on the The Wall in Washington. Now, she’s also taken on finding images from Indiana and Ohio.

Lark’s work with the VVMF is part of a nationwide initiative to collect a photograph for each of the 58,272 men and women whose names are inscribed on The Wall. To date, she’s located 1,100 photos.

As part of her honor in Washington, Lark and her former student, Michelle Kerr, were also on stage at a special Veterans Day ceremony at The Wall. The ceremony was attended by thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families.

“It was such an honor to be there," Lark said. "It’s an amazing thing that’s happened, being able to speak with all these families. It’s very exciting."

The awards dinner at the Capital Hilton on was a benefit for the Education Center, which expects a groundbreaking on the National Mall in November 2012.

The Hometown Heroes program and award that Lark received is designed to encourage young people to learn about those who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam and preserve stories about all those who served in Vietnam.
Other awards were presented to Chuck Hagel, a former U.S. Senator, for his service in Vietnam and dedication to his country and the VVMF, and Joseph Galloway, an acclaimed war correspondent.

“It was overwhelming and moving," Lark said of the event. "Just to hear my name mentioned alongside these other great Americans. I think, ‘who am I?’ I am so blessed.”

While Lark is proud of the medal she was awarded, her hope is that it raises awareness about Vietnam veterans and their sacrifices, and encourages others to get involved in the VVMF project

“If you have a story about someone who fought and died in Vietnam or if you have a picture, please contact me by email or phone,” she said. “I’ll see that they become part of the history of that conflict on display in Washington, D.C."

Anyone with information or willing to provide assistance is asked to call Lark at 313-410-8477, or email her at dearbornsvietnam@gmail.com.