'Wounded Warrior' Priest to Speak at Vietnam Memorial Ceremony

PHILADELPHIA, May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Father Rick Curry, the founder of the Writers Program for Wounded Warriors, will deliver remarks at the traditional Memorial Day ceremony held at the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Front and Spruce streets.

The noon ceremony on Monday, May 31, will also feature "echo taps" by two Philadelphia Police buglers and two firing squads from the VVA Chapter 266 and the police.  Wreaths will be presented and a stirring rendition of "Danny Boy" will be sung by Michael L. Daily III.

A Jesuit since 1961, Father Curry is the founder and artistic director of the Writers Program for wounded Warriors of the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped (NTWH).  The program has provided workshops for veterans that guide participants to learn to write and perform dramatic dialogue based on their experiences.  The nationally recognized program has helped veterans with emotional healing and in coping with their disabilities.

Father Curry, who founded in 1977 the parent organization NTWH, also founded the Academy for Veterans in Georgetown this year and hopes to launch a bakery program in the DC area that would employ veterans. He is a graduate of St. Joseph's University and has a Master's Degree in Theater from Villanova and a doctorate in theater from New York University.

The ceremony is being conducted by the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which has oversight of the Memorial in cooperation with the Fairmount Park.

SOURCE Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial