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Proposal: Virtual Legacy Memorial Program

Submitted by:

Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs

in partnership with

Warrior Heritage Foundation  and  The National Organization of Asian American Veterans (NOAAV)

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To:  Mr. James LaPaglia, Digital Services Officer

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – National Cemetery Administration

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Date:  August 15, 2026

Executive Summary

The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), the Warrior Heritage Foundation (WHF), and The National Organization of Asian American Veterans (NOAAV) respectfully propose a formal partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration to establish a permanent Virtual Legacy Memorial recording studio and outreach hub at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall in downtown Los Angeles.

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Bob Hope Patriotic Hall offers a historically significant, veteran-centered venue in the heart of one of the largest veteran populations in the United States. Combined with DMVA’s extensive outreach infrastructure (including a 45-staff outreach team), WHF’s operational stewardship of the facility, and NOAAV’s national network, this partnership would create a high-impact platform to recruit and record veterans’ stories for the Virtual Legacy Memorial program while strengthening public awareness of VA National Cemetery services.

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In addition, DMVA and WHF request VA support to digitize a significant collection of historic military artifacts held at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall—including items dating to the Civil War—so that these materials can be preserved, cataloged, and integrated into the Virtual Legacy Memorial experience and related digital interpretive platforms.

Background and Partners

 

Bob Hope Patriotic Hall

Located at 1816 S. Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles, Bob Hope Patriotic Hall is a historic 10-story landmark dedicated to serving veterans since 1926. It is home to the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs and multiple veteran service organizations. The building includes ceremonial spaces, meeting rooms, the Purple Heart Inn, and other areas well-suited for dignified recording and public engagement.

 

Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs

DMVA serves as the primary local government partner for veterans, servicemembers, families, and survivors in Los Angeles County. With one of the largest veteran populations in the nation (approximately 198,000–210,000 veterans and more than 400,000 veteran-connected households), DMVA maintains deep relationships with veterans service organizations, county agencies, and community partners. The Department regularly conducts large-scale outreach, claims assistance, and public awareness campaigns. DMVA has the most comprehensive outreach footprint than any other county veteran service office in the country.

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Warrior Heritage Foundation

WHF is the nonprofit partner responsible for the day-to-day management and public programming of Bob Hope Patriotic Hall under a public-private partnership model with Los Angeles County. WHF brings operational capacity, event coordination expertise, and a mission focused on preserving military heritage and supporting veterans.

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The National Organization of Asian American Veterans (NOAAV)

NOAAV is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to recognizing and exhibiting, through public education, the historic contributions of Asian Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces. NOAAV brings a national network, a strong commitment to preserving underrepresented veteran stories, and an established presence connected to Bob Hope Patriotic Hall and the Los Angeles veteran community. NOAAV’s support strengthens the proposal’s ability to reach and record the legacies of Asian American veterans alongside the broader veteran population.

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Opportunity: Virtual Legacy Memorial Program and Historic Artifact Digitization

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The Virtual Legacy Memorial program offers a powerful way for veterans to record and preserve their personal stories, service experiences, and legacies in a digital format that can be linked to National Cemetery records and shared with families and the public. Establishing a permanent, professionally equipped recording studio at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall would create a trusted, accessible location where veterans can participate in a respectful and supportive environment.

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Los Angeles County’s scale, diversity, and concentration of veterans—including significant numbers of combat veterans, Purple Heart recipients, aging World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam-era veterans, and a substantial Asian American veteran community—make it an ideal location to generate high-volume, high-quality participation in the program.

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Complementing the recording studio, DMVA and WHF seek VA partnership support to digitize the Hall’s historic artifact collection. This collection includes items dating to the Civil War as well as materials from subsequent conflicts. Digitization would enable these artifacts to be preserved against deterioration, cataloged for research and public access, and integrated into the Virtual Legacy Memorial and related digital experiences at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall—creating a richer, more complete record of veterans’ service across American history.

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Value Proposition

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Strength​

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  • Historic veteran-centric venue

  • One of the largest veteran populations in the U.S.

  • DMVA’s established outreach network

  • Historic artifact collection (Civil War to present)

  • NOAAV national network & focus on Asian American veterans

  • Central downtown location with public transit access

  • Proven public-private partnership model (DMVA + WHF + NOAAV)

Benefit to the Virtual Legacy Memorial Program

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  • Dignified, trusted setting that encourages participation

  • Substantial pool of potential participants

  • Ability to promote the program through existing channels, events, and partner organizations

  • Opportunity to digitize, preserve, and integrate rare materials into the digital legacy platform

  • Expanded reach into underrepresented communities and high-quality story collection

  • Convenience for veterans across the region

  • Operational stability, shared accountability, and broadened community trust

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Proposed Partnership Structure

 

A. Recording Studio

VA would provide professional-grade audio/video recording equipment suitable for a permanent studio (cameras, microphones, lighting, computers, software, and basic acoustic treatment). DMVA and WHF would provide the dedicated physical space within Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, oversee day-to-day operations, and ensure a respectful, veteran-friendly recording environment. NOAAV would support outreach and participation, particularly among Asian American veterans.

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B. Historic Artifact Digitization Support

DMVA and WHF request VA support—through technical assistance, guidance on archival standards, potential equipment or digitization resources, or collaborative project funding—to digitize the historic military artifact collection held at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. The collection includes materials dating to the Civil War as well as later conflicts. Digitized assets would be preserved for long-term access, made available for research and public education, and integrated into the Virtual Legacy Memorial experience and related interpretive platforms at the Hall. DMVA and WHF would manage day-to-day coordination of the digitization effort in collaboration with VA subject-matter experts.

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C. Marketing and Outreach

VA, DMVA, WHF, and NOAAV would jointly develop and execute a marketing plan to promote the Virtual Legacy Memorial program. DMVA would leverage its countywide networks, veterans service organization relationships, social media, newsletters, and public events. WHF would support on-site promotion and special events at the Hall. NOAAV would activate its national and local networks to encourage participation by Asian American veterans. VA would contribute national messaging, branding, and digital amplification.

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D. Limited Overhead Support

DMVA would request VA provide modest financial support to offset a portion of the building-related overhead costs (utilities, maintenance, and staffing coordination) directly attributable to operation of the Virtual Legacy Memorial studio, associated outreach activities, and coordination of the artifact digitization effort.

 

Anticipated Outcomes

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  • Increased veteran participation in the Virtual Legacy Memorial program from one of the nation’s largest and most diverse veteran communities.

  • Stronger representation of Asian American veterans’ stories and legacies within the Virtual Legacy Memorial program.

  • Digitization and long-term preservation of historic military artifacts at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall, including materials dating to the Civil War, with integration into the Virtual Legacy Memorial and public interpretive experiences.

  • A sustainable, high-visibility recording and heritage location that reinforces the connection between local veterans and VA National Cemetery services.

  • Strengthened collaboration among VA, local government, and nonprofit partners in preserving veterans’ legacies.

  • Enhanced public awareness of the importance of documenting veterans’ stories and safeguarding historic artifacts for future generations.

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Next Steps

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We respectfully request a meeting with National Cemetery Administration leadership to discuss this proposal in greater detail, refine operational and funding parameters for both the recording studio and the historic artifact digitization effort, and develop a formal memorandum of understanding.

The Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, the Warrior Heritage Foundation, and The National Organization of Asian American Veterans are prepared to move quickly to establish the studio, initiate outreach, and begin coordinated planning for artifact digitization upon agreement.

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Thank you for your consideration of this partnership opportunity. We look forward to working together to honor the service and preserve the legacies of our veterans.

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Respectfully submitted,

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James Zenner

Director

Department of Military and Veteran Affairs
County of Los Angeles

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Justin Garza

Executive Director

Warrior Heritage Foundation

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Peter M. Chow

Founder and Chairman

The National Organization of Asian American Veterans (NOAAV)

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