A Visit From The Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall
71Remembering The Vietnam Hero's
Thursday evening I headed out to pick up a few groceries in the town of Wilmington, Massachusetts, the town where I grew up. It is not where I live now but I live nearby and still love to shop there and occassionally stop to visit or run into friends of my childhood. I also love to pass through my old neighborhood and check out the house that I grew up and lived in for 18 years. I have many memories there and do appreciate the now owners who keep it beautiful for my weekly enjoyment.
As I passed by the Wilmington Town Common something was going on that at first I couldn't identify but soon realized that the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall had come to pay a visit to my little home town.
Sept 18 - 22, 2008
"In honor of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War. The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us."
Preamble of the Vietman Veterans Memorial
What is the Moving Wall?
"The Moving Wall" is a half-size replica of the memorial in Washington, DC. It has been travelling around the country for more than twenty years. Its first display was in October of 1984 in Tyler, Texas. It travels the USA from April through November and spends up to one week at each of its visiting sites.
Since the original Moving Wall made its first appearance in Tyler, Texas, it and its two counterparts have been refurbished. Currently, each measures 250 feet long, 4 feet tall at each end and six feet tall in the center. Each is made of aluminum with the 58,175 names of the American dead in Vietnam silk-screened upon black panels, which are supported by metal braces driven into the ground. All told, these sheetmetal replicas cost about $60,000 each, the money raised through donations.
But the emotional price that came with building them was probably much higher.
The Moving Wall has often been described as one of the most visited memorial in the country. Many people say their first encounter in viewing The Wall is an emotional experience. This was true for me too as I witnessed a man in front of me saying to his son, "this was my Uncle Robert". He proceeded to kneel down and say a prayer. I silently said one with him! That was so sad!
In Loving Memory from Wilmington, MA
John Joseph Fullerton
Robert Warren Parent
Richard William Welch
John Allen Rich
Remembering the Vietnam Hero's
We Remember
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The Moving Wall blog
Other Links from The Moving Wall
We Remember
'The Wall' YouTube Video
Fifty Thousand Names Carved In The Wall ~ George Jones
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Great and moving article. I'm a USMC vet and greatly appreciate your article. Thanks. I f you get a chance check out my article on veteran benefits. Semper Fi
Thank you for this hub. I am a Vietnam vet, and it is encouraging when people remember. Thank you very much.
Hi I would like to find a name on the wall by computer because I have dreams of Vietnam for eight years ... I have only seventeen years ... I'm from Argentina my real name is Lucas Luis Lopez ... but the name I want is: Luke Adam Shephard, Shepard, shepheard or Sheppard... Thanks
Thank you frogyfish. Thanks for sharing about your brother and his return. That was such a long time to carry scars and it made me happy to hear your brother finally laid things to rest. That makes me proud and never want to forget what a huge sacrifice it is for all the ladies and gentlemen who unselfishly serve to preserve our freedom. I will never ever forget!
Thank you for a wonderful and needed hub! My brother fought in Vietnam and won a Purple Heart and several other medals -could not even tell his family, he was so torn...He want back five years ago to 'finally lay some things to rest'. God bless our many soldiers, and thank you each one who served!
Thank you Daryl for coming by and adding your comments and leaving the link to your hub that you dedicated to your Uncle Randolph. I just finished reading it and I found your personal journey to the Cu Chi tunnel to be very interesting.
The personal comments to your uncle on the comment link touched my soul.
"Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W. Shakespeare) May God Bless you for your Sacrifice"!
I wrote a hub on my (tourist) experience of the Cu Chi Tunnels. It's dedicated to my uncle, KIA at Cu Chi in 1966.
You're Welcome, glad you enjoyed!
This is wonderful Dottie. Thanks for sharing :)
Oh Little Rippi...where did all the cuties go? I hope you are now beyond playing out the scenes of the play in your mind but just incase I have a plan to help you sleep. You will need to read the comment on the sleep hub:
http://hubpages.com/hub/20-Great-Ways-to-Get-a-Goo
Peaceful Dreams :)
LOL You are just adorable! No one cute in mind Dottie. I was directing a mini play for the Kinder 1 class. And I think I made a mess out of it. So Daisy was helping me out and the scene kept playing in my mind. When I woke up, gosh it was still 2 am. Anyhow, after reading a few hubs, I went back to sleep. yes, sis I will follow my advice tonight Hahaha and thank you for not forgetting me. :)
It is wayy early sis. Why are you not able to sleep? Someone cute on your mind? Just incase you cannot sleep again tonight then here are some great ideas to help you. I know this will help. It worked for me. Sleep tight tonight, ok and "I shall never forget you"
Hi sis Dottie, I know I should not be up at this time (it's 3:30 am) but I woke up and couldn't get back to sleep. As I read this hub, I'm feeling silent. So many thoughts are running in my head. But I like what you said, "We shall never forget." Take care..
I'm glad you enjoyed this hub of the moving wall NYLady. The wall has been taken down near where I live and is now travelling to St. Regis Falls, NY until Sept. 29th. I too think this is such a great idea to keep the memories alive. I just noticed that you are from NY. Is St. Regis Falls anywhere near you? The wall is really a great sight to see! There are actually 2 moving walls. The 2nd wall is on it way to Miamisburg, OH
Dear Dottie: Great, moving hub. I really enjoyed reading it and love the idea of the traveling wall. It's so meaningful to keep the memories of our veterans alive.
You are welcome Eddie. I had heard of the moving wall but when I actually saw it in Wilmington that Thursday night, I really felt in my heart to stop and pay respect to the four soldiers from my hometown where I grew up. Years ago another Vietnam Veteran from Wilmington set up individual memorials around town for these soldiers who died because he felt they were like his brothers. From that one act of generocity I have never forgotten those four young men. I did not know any of the soldiers personally but knew family members of 3 of them. Seeing the moving wall took me back where it hit home and so felt the desire to write this hub and I'm really glad that I did. So true Eddie, freedom is not free. Thank you for sharing your personal stories and for your years of service, along with your best friends, your brother in law and father in law.
"We Shall Never Forget"
Dottie,
Thank you so much for writing about the moving wall. I had never heard of it either. My best friend joined the marines and was in Vietnam. I had no idea what danger he was in until he came home safely and relayed stories to me. I was in Korea, my brother in law in Vietnam and father in law was in world war II among a host of others. Freedom is not free! ~ eddie
You are welcome Susan. You speak from the heart. Thanks for passing through and commenting. It is greatly appreciated.
I added a link above for the 2008 Display dates of the moving wall. You can also check the link here to see if it is coming to a city near you.
http://www.themovingwall.org/skeds/08/schedule08.h
Wow Dottie thanks for writing this. I have never heard of the Moving Wall. I start to cry when I see the Wall on televison. When I think of all the young soldiers who died in Viet Nam, it brings me to tears.
God bless all the families who lost their loved ones.
Thanks to G-Ma's ex brother-in-law for his years of service in the Vietnam War. I'm glad to hear he's doing better! We shall never forget! Thanks G-Ma for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and a big hug for you too!:)
wow I have a ex brother-in-law who also served in Viet Nam and tho he is stil alive was injured and became addicted to drugs. Not only did he fight a battle for America but then his own personal one for years after...Now seems to be cured...My prayers and love to all who serve the United States of America so proudly...so unselfishly....Thank You...G-Ma :o) hugs
Thankyou for your years of service Bob Diamond and Jerilee Wei.
"We Shall Never Forget"
I'm glad you enjoyed the video efeglo. I did too!
As a Vietnam vet, I will never forget those times and those we lost. It's comforting to know that others will remember too.
Cool and touching video u have there Dotie, makes me cry too. I love you Doties as if you were my elder sister.
I am a Vietnam combat Vet. Just the pictures of the wall make me cry.
Bob Diamond
angie ashbourne Level 4 Commenter 12 months ago
Hi! Great Hub!God Bless.