The Wall That Heals… Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall To Return To Washington County

Issue 37.10

More than 58,000 names are engraved on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, and each one has a unique story.  The Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall, a half-size replica of the memorial will once again return to Washington County, serving as a reminder to each of us how powerful the effects of the memories of the Vietnam conflict can be for some. 

“When the lighting is a certain way you see your own reflection on that wall, and you see a familiar name, and it’s like why me? Why did I get to come home and they didn’t?” says one local Vietnam Veteran who has lived his whole life remembering his fallen brothers.

“It chokes you up and it’s very difficult to make that walk.  Knowing others, who were not there to experience what I did, will come to honor my fallen brothers, is healing for me.”

The Vietnam Veterans of America and the Associate Vietnam Veterans of America, Southern Utah Chapter 961, have worked hard in the community to raise funds necessary to defer the costs associated with bringing the wall to our community, continuing their quest to educate, inform and contribute to the healing of those who may never have the opportunity to see the full size memorial in Washington, DC.

“The memorial has a special place in our hearts,” said local chapter 961 Commander, Dan Greathouse.  From September 1968 to September 1969, Dan served and fought in some of the fiercest battles of the Vietnam War. When he came home after his three year stint in the Army, Dan put his medals in a drawer and did his best to forget Vietnam. For him, the war was a closed subject. He never spoke to anyone about what he had experienced there.  Then six years ago, Dan got a letter inviting him to attend a reunion of the veterans of the war in Vietnam.  After that reunion and subsequently joining the local VFW Post, Dan began to talk. 

“Some veterans and members of our community have never seen this wall. They’ve never been to Washington, D.C., and some never will,” he said. “There is a reason the wall is commonly referred to as The Wall That Heals, as it provides a healing opportunity for many of us.” commented Dan.

 The wall was created to honor and memorialize more than 58,000 of our heroes so that we may never forget the sacrifices they made for our country.  The memorial will be on display for the public to view, 24 hours a day, at the Veteran’s Memorial Park at 25 E. Telegraph, Washington, Utah, from October 20th through the 24th.

Accompanying the wall will be a museum and information center to help locate the names of loved ones and friends.

An outdoor opening ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, October 21st, with an official indoor ceremony to take place at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Local singer Dave Reber will perform a moving, patriotic tribute to those lost in conflict.  Several war heroes are scheduled to speak, and additional activities are planned for the closing ceremony on Sunday, October 24th at 5:00 p.m.

One Vietnam Veteran, who still insists on remaining anonymous, will attempt to travel a great distance to see the wall.  “This will be the first time to visit the traveling memorial wall.  My best friend is on there.  He saved my life and in doing so lost his own.  It’s not a memory that will ever go away for me, but I know it will be healing to find his name and place my hand on the wall as my own gesture that I will never forget his sacrifice,” he said, as he struggled to hold back emotion.

The Vietnam Veterans of America – Chapter 961 are still seeking donations to help defer the cost of bringing the wall back. Donations of any amount will be appreciated.  Your tax-deductible donation can be mailed to VVA Chapter 961, P.O. Box 911055, St. George, UT 84791.

Members of our community are being encouraged to read more about many of our local Veteran heroes on a website which was provided as a gift to the community by Ted and Vivian Spilsbury.  Their moving stories may be read at http://www.ourlocalveterans.com Audio versions are also provided, along with photographs.  The website was recently featured on milblogging.com, one of the top military blogging sites in the world, with comments about how the “featured articles, photographs and several videos help foster the emotional tug of the content.”