Toyota helps preserve historic documents including GI Bill of Rights

(July 15, 2014) WASHINGTON, DC — For Toyota Senior Adviser Don Esmond, who spent six years serving the United States as a decorated Marine, the education and home ownership benefits provided under the GI Bill meant something special: A path to a brighter future.
 
“The GI Bill helped us afford our first house with a backyard,” said Esmond. “Today, with unemployment so high among our veterans, it’s more important than ever.”
 
Toyota is helping preserve documents like the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 — more commonly known as the GI Bill — and others that mark milestones in our nation’s history through a $100,000 gift to the Foundation for the National Archives.
 
Today, after five weeks on display, it will be removed from exhibition because of strict archival conservation guidelines that allow display for roughly two to four weeks.
 
However, thanks to Toyota’s exhibition support, visitors can continue to view and learn about the GI Bill online by clicking here when it is not on display at the National Archives Museum.
 
“It’s an honor to have Toyota preserve this special part of America’s rich history because of its impact on so many veterans, who sacrificed so much to keep our country safe and free. It’s important that they are given help restarting their civilian life,” said Esmond.  As a helicopter pilot, he flew more than 900 missions over Vietnam and received the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, 45 Air Medals and the Purple Heart.
 
He also noted that Toyota’s involvement with the National Archives initiative was fitting because of its 60-year presence in the U.S.
 
The GI Bill is one of 10 historic documents in rotation in a National Archives exhibit sponsored by Toyota’s gift. Historic documents, from Congressional passage of the Bill of Rights in 1789 to President Nixon’s letter of resignation in 1973, will be part of the notable records Toyota is helping to protect.
 
Helping veterans is nothing new to Toyota. The company’s many programs include “Hiring Our Heroes,” a partnership with Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Dakota Meyer and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Chamber Foundation to help veterans make the transition from military to civilian jobs.