The Moving Wall

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica, “The Moving Wall”, arrived in Franklin County Thursday morning. A parade of war veterans and members of Rolling Thunder, a motorcyclist group comprised mostly of Vietnam veterans escorted the “Moving Wall” to it’s destination at the Franklin County Recreation Park located two miles off Rt. 220 on Rt. 619 just south of Rocky Mount.

Members of American Legion Post 6 headed the effort to bring The Moving Wall to Franklin County on the suggestion of American Legion Post 6 member Herman Chaney, who is a Vietnam veteran. Debra Weir, Franklin County special events manager, helped with the logistics of bringing the memorial to Franklin County.

"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica measuring 252.83 feet in length, which is just over half the length of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. Washington, D.C.In 1982 John Devitt, a former helicopter door gunner and Army veteran, visited Washington, DC for the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This visit and experience changed Devitt's life and led to the creation of the "Moving Wall,"

The Moving Wall went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

Early Saturday morning (Oct. 3^rd), I visited the “Moving Wall” arriving just as the sun was rising. As I approached the wall from a distance, the white names made an almost solid pattern against the black panels that held them, but as I came closer, I could begin to make out lines then it hits you. The names, the oh so many names that make up that solid white pattern begin to jump out at you one by one.

As I made my way along the wall camera in hand taking photos for this article, I could not help feeling overwhelmed at the seemingly endless names. There are 58,228 names listed on the shiny black wall representing all those who lost their lives in the service of their country as well as those who are still listed as MIA (Missing In Action). Each name belonged to someone’s son, daughter, father, mother, brother, sister, husband or wife. The names on the wall are also a source of healing, not physical healing but emotional and spiritual healing for those left with only memories of a loved one or fellow soldier lost to combat.

During the 15 years of the Vietnam War 2.7 million men and women served in the United States Military, 58,228 lost their lives, 13,000 of those were from Virginia, and over 300,000 were wounded. This memorial as well as the one in Washington D.C. honors all those who served during the Vietnam war.

If you have never been or are unable to travel to the Memorial in Washington, you should make a point to visit the “Moving Wall” before it leaves the area on Monday Oct. 5^th. You will be glad you did.

I will leave you with this thought; Wars may end but for those who fought in them the battles still rage on. If you see a soldier in uniform, or a veteran from any war shake his or her hand and tell them thank you.

Get Directions