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Places Are Special2007 - Present 2003 - 2006 1999 - 2002 1995 - 1998
As the somber parade of motorcycles caravan behind the security escorts, The Moving Wall™ slowly proceeds into the host city. It commences the patriotic
celebrations organized for its five day presence on a chosen sacred site.
I watch the people congregating along the side of the road, waving their flags and standing at attention as our Moving Wall truck passes with its precious cargo. I am always struck by the silence as normal traffic comes to a stop as this procession passes by. I can see in their faces that not everyone is sure what this truck carries but have observed that many recognize the three vivid colors of Vietnam participation. I watch as the crowd's attention is drawn to the three staggered size crates on the flatbed truck and I can hear their voices whisper to one another, where is the Moving Wall?
As I begin to set up my directory tent, people come over to me and inquire where is the Moving Wall, I encourage the perplexed visitors to watch as the memorial panels emerge from the crates.
Some individuals want to help disperse the panels but I explain that the memorial has to be erected in an orderly fashion. The 252 foot aluminum structure is
meticulously assembled on a pre-constructed platform. Once the memorial is completely in place, all of the volunteers and visitors step back and take a moment to privately pay their respect to each
of the 58,228 Vietnam Veterans whose life reflects on the "Wall."
The apex of the memorial is normally erected first and once it is in place, my information and directory duties for the week commences.
White Pines Michigan (headquarters of The Moving Wall™)
A small town, not really near any large city is the home of The Moving Wall™. If you didn't view the sign outside of the warehouse, you would not give the building a second look. While the town may not be a metropolis, it has the biggest and most welcoming hearts from people who are really glad to meet you. The Moving Wall™ was set up next to their American Legion Post 462 and it was a memorable set up.
This was a very special event, the 25th Anniversary but not because it was the biggest celebration filled with multiple contributions from
various participants. The opening ceremony was well represented by many military groups and very specific to families of White Pine veterans.
The personality of White Pine was intimate -- it was more about the comradery than the pageantry. The Moving Wall™ is the symbol of the sacrifices
of a generation before, during and after Vietnam. There were probably more quiet moments than normally experienced during an event. However,
it was very appropriate of the solemn representation of our veterans. As Norris Shears joined John Devitt at The Moving Wall™, and
close by was Lisa and Aaron Grey, (the "A" Wall escorts), you knew why and felt the pride, honor and country for this mobile memorial.
Tifton, GeorgiaOne of the last places that I had the honor to visit in 2008 was a small town, Tifton, Georgia, who had a huge heart and a lot of community patriotism and support. Susan Tucker, an 8th Street Middle School history teacher presented a remembrance ceremony especially for the Gold Star families of Tift County servicemen. Susan Tucker lead her history students to secure The Moving Wall™ by their own means and had an event that was on the scale of a very organized group who might have worked on securing the memorial after years of dedicated efforts.
Unfortunately, I do not have photographs of one of the most spectacular entrances to the "Wall" I have ever seen but it is an image I won't soon forget. These amazing students held fund raisers by selling American flags. As you approached where The Moving Wall™ was erected, in all directions leading to the memorial there were American flags lining both sides of the streets. If ever The Moving Wall looked incredibly special, it was here in Tifton, Georgia.
Update from Tifton
Last week, a Vietnam veteran who attended The Wall event came across my site and immediately wrote to me that he had some photographs of the five day event. He sent the photos and I immediately contacted him, asking since I never had any to show (and I was so impressed with his town's patriotic support), did I have his permission to include on this site. FRANCIS M. WISHAM, (Wisham Photography, LLC) was so gracious and granted me permission to display his photographs. Please note the flags along the road and the lines of people welcoming The Moving Wall™ through town. Mr. Wisham later sent me a CD on the event in Tifton and a photograph. Mrs. Tucker's late husbands flag flew over the ceremonies and that day an eagle was photographed and both were merged on "The Memorial" - it is an exceptional tribute. Again thank you Tifton, Mrs. Tucker, the history students at the 8th Street Middle School and of course, Mr. Francis Wisham for this memorable tribute that I can add to my site.
Fontana, California
Edward D. Barton, Chaplain, American Legion 25th District, not only put together this amazing display but he also put together a CD with the full Missing Man Ceremony. Ed displayed the significance of each item within this plexiglass enclosure on all four corners of the display so that many could visitors could truly appreciate this very significant representation of our Missing In Action servicemen inscribed on The Moving Wall.
The University of Southern Mississippi hosted The Moving Wall along with Hub City Memorial Chapter, Military Order of the Purple Heart, on Pride Field, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The escorts, Linda Williams and Norris Shears (co-founder of The Moving Wall), agreed with me that it was one of the most amazing set ups we had ever witnessed. Not only was their memorial set up complete with appropriate walkways but their lightning system was incredibly unique. But what struck us more was the crowds we experienced for the 7 day event. There were times that it was so crowded it was almost 4 people deep and the lines kept coming day after day, hour after hour. Every night they created an elaborate taps ceremony which left you breathless. It was one of my most favorite towns.
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