6.06.2000 ET

(CSRwire) On the anniversary of "the longest day," the long-overdue memorial to World War II veterans marched a step closer to reality as Wal- Mart Stores, Inc. presented a check for $14.5 million to Sen. Bob Dole, chairman of the National World War II Memorial Campaign. The contribution was presented by a group of World War II veterans and Wal-Mart associates during a special ceremony at the memorial site on the National Mall.

The donation is the largest corporate gift to date toward the memorial and significantly closes the funding gap to complete the project.

"With more than 1,900 World War II veterans currently serving as Wal-Mart associates, we are proud to salute the men and women who pledged their lives and sacred honor to provide the peace and prosperity we enjoy today," said Tom Coughlin, Wal-Mart's chief executive officer. "This is a very special moment for Wal-Mart and for the customers and associates across the U.S. who helped make this gift possible."

During the ceremony this morning, 50 associates representing the 900,000 Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club associates nationwide made the special D-Day presentation to Dole. With this contribution, the campaign now has more than $90 million of the $100 million needed to design, build and maintain the memorial.

"The effort behind this donation reflects what this memorial represents: millions of Americans united for a just and common cause," said Senator Dole. "Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club associates and customers generated the largest single donation we've received. This truly has become a campaign across America, for America."

Wal-Mart associates at more than 3,000 Wal-Mart stores, SAM'S Clubs and distribution centers nationwide coordinated various activities to raise funds and increase awareness of the memorial campaign. Each location also served as a collection site for donations. The Wal-Mart/SAM'S Club Foundation matched a portion of these funds.

The National World War II Memorial will honor the 16 million Americans who served in uniform during the war, the more than 400,000 who gave their lives, and millions who supported the war effort from home. The memorial site was dedicated on Veterans Day 1995, and the American Battle Monuments Commission hopes to receive final design approval this summer so it can break ground on Veterans Day weekend in November.

Wal-Mart Foundation

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. empowers its associates to serve the needs of their communities through its "Good Works" initiative. Last year, associates of the company's 3,000 Wal- Mart Stores, SAM'S clubs and distribution centers raised and donated more than $163 million to charitable organizations nationwide. In addition, Wal-Mart and SAM'S Club's employ a number of programs that encourage children's health and safety, education, and community-minded awareness. For more information about Wal-Mart's Good Works effort, call 1-800-530-9925 or visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

For more information on how to help build the National World War II Memorial, contact:

Toll free: 800-639-4WW2
Web site: WWIImemorial.com