Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation
The Alabama Veterans Memorial Park
Meet our Board Members
 Della Fancher, Founder |  Howard M. Strickler, MD |  Kent Palcanis, Treasurer |
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Della Fancher is a native of Shelby County and grew up in Cahaba Heights. Della has 25 years of financial services, private banking and asset management and is currently Samford University’s School of Education Advancement Officer. She has a BS in Business and an MBA from Samford University. She is founder and board member of the Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Dr. Strickler is a practicing physician in Birmingham, Alabama. He served in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1969-1972 including one tour of duty with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He is a member of the Alabama State Medical Association, a Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association.
Kent Palcanis received his BS and DDS degrees from Ohio State University. He served in the USAF Dental Corps with a Dental Internship and then two additional years of active duty. He received his MSD degree and certificate in Periodontics from Univ. of Washington. He spent his career in academics retiring as Professor and Associate Dean Emeritus from Univ. of Alabama Birmingham. He also served as Executive Director of the American Board of Periodontology, retiring from that position in 2018.
 Walter W. Bailey, Sr. |  Louise W. (Lulu) Richardson |  Robert Sciacca, MD |
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Walter Bailey grew up in Gowanda, NY and graduated from Gowanda High School in 1949. He attended the University of Michigan, earning a BA in History in 1953 and a MBA in Business in 1955. He served in the US Army from 1956-1958 at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (NASA) in Huntsville, Alabama. After his service, he worked with Addressograph Co from 1958 to 1968, moving to Birmingham in 1960. He founded Southern Label Co, a family-owned business in 1968. He retired in 2020.
BS degree from University of Alabama; MA degree from Troy University; former elementary school, middle school, and college educator, teaching in hometown of Andalusia, Alabama; Ann Arbor, Michigan; Livingston, Alabama and Birmingham. Founder in 2001 of FOCUS On Recovery, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in Birmingham, that provides housing and support for women in recovery from alcohol and drugs.
Board certified ENT physician-surgeon practicing in Hoover, AL, since 1982. Co-developed Medplex Medical Complex in Hoover. AVMF Board member since 1996. Six year active duty U.S. Army veteran,1967-1973. Infantry OCS comissioned, Vietnam combat veteran 1969, platoon leader 9th Infantry Div. Awards: CIB, Purple Heart, Bronze Star w V, Army Commendation Medal w V, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w Palm, and others. Left active service as a Captain.
David Ricker is the principle of Ricker Consulting, LLC, a governmental and political campaign consulting firm. David has been involved with political and governmental relations in the Birmingham, Alabama metro area for the better part of his life. He has over 15 years experience with political campaigns, public service and fundraising. David comes from a family with deep ties to military service. Although, he didn’t serve, David volunteers his time and love of the military with the AVMF.
 J. Thomas Martin, President |  Ernest C. (Ernie) Hester, Secretary |  David Ricker, Vice President |
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Native of Birmingham, joined the U.S. Army in 1974 and remained in the Army Reserve through 2003 retiring as Sergeant Major. Received the Meritorious Service Medal while mobilized in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Specialized in communications in the signal corps, retrained in logistics and served as Division G4 NCOIC for the last ten years of his military career. Employed by Holt AV/Video since 1980 in various technical capacities.
Board Member of the AVMF since 1989; Attorney at Law since 1979; member of the Alabama State Bar; Served in the US Army, Armor, left service as a Captain.
 Donna C. Tyner |  William Merle Smith |  Mr. Richard F Wilson II |
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Donna Cotney Tyner has a B.S. Degree from Auburn University. She has served the Birmingham area as a Realtor® since 1998 and has served on local, state, and national committees. Donna’s family has strong military ties. Her love for the military stems from her family’s duty of service.
A native of Iuka, MS, Merle served as a Staff Sargent in the U.S. Air Force from 1969-1972, including a tour of duty in South Korea. He earned a BS of Electrical Engineering degree from Mississippi State University (1975) and a MBA from UAB (1985). He retired from Alabama Power Co. after 39 years of service as a supervisor in Power Delivery. He currently serves as the volunteer coordinator for the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park for their veteran recognition events and various work projects.
Mr. Richard F Wilson II is a native of Virginia. He graduated From Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1981. He served a total of 37 years, both active and reserve and was mobilized during Operation Enduring Freedom. He is now retired and lives in Hoover, Alabama. Rick is currently the Event Coordinator for the Alabama Veterans’ Memorial Park.
 Bob Arnwine |
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Emeritus
 James “Bud” Hope |
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Bob is a native of the Birmingham area, growing up in Homewood. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in June 1966. He served two years in South Vietnam, including one year in a Marine rifle company. He also spent six months aboard a ship in the Mediterranean Sea. He was released from active duty in June 1970 with the rank of Sergeant. Bob is active in the Marine Corps League and has served as Commandant of the Howlin’ Mad Smith Detachment in Birmingham.
Bud has recently retired from 40 plus years in the valve industry. He was educated at UAB, University of Kentucky, and Furman University. He entered the Army in July 1966 and served until June 1972 as Armor Officer. He served in Vietnam with Company A, 1st Battalion, 69th Armored Brigade as first platoon leader and then executive officer. He was awarded the Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and others.