Planned Giving

Neil Bryson, left, of New York Life has been selected to assist
the museum in operating an estate planning program. Dr. Chet
Curry, a WWII veteran, was first to participate in the program.

The World War II Victory Museum has selected Neil Bryson of New York Life to assist the museum in operating an estate planning program. Mr. Bryson, a CPA with 27 years of experience in the financial sector, focuses on estate and retirement planning.

The purpose of this program is two-fold: 1) to increase awareness of the importance of estate planning and its role in increasing people’s ability to pass assets to heirs and charity while diminishing estate tax liability; and 2) to assist those who want to financially support the WWII Victory Museum in making informed and wise decisions regarding their charitable contributions to the museum.

According to Mr. Bryson, proper estate plans empower people to accomplish their goals and correct gaps in their current financial makeup and also give people greater control over the use of their financial assets both during and after their lifetime. Proper estate plans allowpeople to maximize the amount of money that they can pass to heirs and give to charities of their choice because of the minimization of estate tax liability. As Mr. Bryson says, good estate plans allow clients to “live, love, and leave a legacy.”

Dr. Chester Curry, a retired optometrist and WWII veteran of the CBI Theater, volunteered to be the first client for the WWII Victory Museum’s estate planning program. Dr. Curry stated that he is “particularly impressed with the company (NY Life).” According to Dr. Curry, Mr. Dalman and Mr. Bryson “provide the right mix of youth, knowledge, and experience.” Dr. Curry also stated his appreciation for the “respect and confidentiality” that Mr. Bryson showed to him, and he voiced his satisfaction that he was provided with a careful analysis of his financial makeup.

Bob Krafft, the museum’s director, says that he expects the estate planning program to “be a service that the museum offers to the public and especially military veterans.”

“We expect this program to increase awareness about the level to which individual contributions can impact the success of our museum,” Krafft said. “Moreover, we believe that our museum is more than just a show house for old objects; it is an inherently good cause to spread knowledge, in our nation and the world, about the sacrifices, achievements, and legacy of the WWII generation and our military veterans. We hope that our organization can provide a viable philanthropic avenue for those who want to perpetuate this legacy and serve the public good.”

For questions about the estate planning program, please contact Joe Brunson at 260-927-9144.