Vietnam Wall replica to be in Cherokee
By Nick Hytrek Journal staff writer | Posted: Monday, September 10, 2007
For Vietnam veterans, it's a chance for closure, an opportunity to honor friends and comrades killed in combat.
But for those who organized the Vietnam Moving Wall's stop in Cherokee, Iowa, the half-scale replica of the famous Washington, D.C., monument provides something for people of all ages.
For four days beginning on Thursday, all generations will have the chance not only to pay their respects to those killed in war, but to learn about Vietnam and America during the 1960s and '70s.
"We're trying to make this a little more educational than just bring the wall to town, erect it and say there it is," said David Brown, Cherokee County American Legion commander.
The Moving Wall will be open for around-the-clock viewing at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds from noon Thursday to noon Monday. It's the culmination of three years of work to bring it to the Cherokee County seat, said Dana Evans, Cherokee Veteran Affairs Director. The wall's appearance coincides with Cherokee's second annual Veterans Appreciation Day, which will be Saturday.
On that day, Veterans Administration officials and representatives from numerous veterans organizations and military branches will be present near the wall to help veterans of any war with things such as applying for disability benefits.
"If you just had the wall there, that's one thing, but there are guys out there that need help," said Evans, a U.S. Navy veteran who served on the East Coast during Vietnam.
People of all ages should be able to take something from the wall's appearance, Evans said. Area schools have been invited to bring students. Documentaries on the war and the home front will be shown continuously. Thursday's opening ceremony includes a keynote speech by Larry Spencer, a Vietnam veteran who spent six years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. Concerts and dances featuring music from the '60s and '70s are planned.
Evans is expecting 10,000 people to visit the wall. Dances and films aside, the wall signifies the sacrifice of those who served in the war. It is still a powerful symbol to Vietnam veterans.
"Bringing the wall in is a healing process for the guys. It's for healing. It's for helping guys get closure," Evans said. "They'll come in the middle of the night, a lot of people, just to be alone."
The Moving Wall is being sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 888 and American Legion Cherokee Post 230. Dozens of individuals and businesses also have volunteered or made donations to foot the $12,000 bill for the wall and other activities, said Brown, a U.S. Army veteran who said he was fortunate not to be shipped over to Vietnam.
"If it wasn't for people making donations, this wouldn't be happening," he said.
Schedule
Thursday
Noon: Wall opens to the public
7 p.m. -- Opening ceremony, keynote speaker -- Larry Spencer, who spent six years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.
Friday
5 p.m.-8 p.m. -- Vinyl record dance with music from the Vietnam era.
6 p.m. -- Taps.
8 p.m.-10 p.m. -- Music of the '60s and '70s.
Saturday
Veteran Appreciation Day
10 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Veterans Adminstration officials and representatives of all military branches and veterans organizations present.
Noon and 3 p.m. -- Vietnam Experience (slide show and film on what happened in Vietnam and at home) by Ralph Swain.
6 p.m. -- Taps.
8 p.m.-midnight -- "Something New" concert/dance.
Sunday
6 p.m. -- Closing ceremony
Monday
Noon -- Taps. Wall closes.
Vietnam veterans will be present throughout the weekend to answer questions.
But for those who organized the Vietnam Moving Wall's stop in Cherokee, Iowa, the half-scale replica of the famous Washington, D.C., monument provides something for people of all ages.
For four days beginning on Thursday, all generations will have the chance not only to pay their respects to those killed in war, but to learn about Vietnam and America during the 1960s and '70s.
"We're trying to make this a little more educational than just bring the wall to town, erect it and say there it is," said David Brown, Cherokee County American Legion commander.
The Moving Wall will be open for around-the-clock viewing at the Cherokee County Fairgrounds from noon Thursday to noon Monday. It's the culmination of three years of work to bring it to the Cherokee County seat, said Dana Evans, Cherokee Veteran Affairs Director. The wall's appearance coincides with Cherokee's second annual Veterans Appreciation Day, which will be Saturday.
On that day, Veterans Administration officials and representatives from numerous veterans organizations and military branches will be present near the wall to help veterans of any war with things such as applying for disability benefits.
"If you just had the wall there, that's one thing, but there are guys out there that need help," said Evans, a U.S. Navy veteran who served on the East Coast during Vietnam.
People of all ages should be able to take something from the wall's appearance, Evans said. Area schools have been invited to bring students. Documentaries on the war and the home front will be shown continuously. Thursday's opening ceremony includes a keynote speech by Larry Spencer, a Vietnam veteran who spent six years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi. Concerts and dances featuring music from the '60s and '70s are planned.
Evans is expecting 10,000 people to visit the wall. Dances and films aside, the wall signifies the sacrifice of those who served in the war. It is still a powerful symbol to Vietnam veterans.
"Bringing the wall in is a healing process for the guys. It's for healing. It's for helping guys get closure," Evans said. "They'll come in the middle of the night, a lot of people, just to be alone."
The Moving Wall is being sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 888 and American Legion Cherokee Post 230. Dozens of individuals and businesses also have volunteered or made donations to foot the $12,000 bill for the wall and other activities, said Brown, a U.S. Army veteran who said he was fortunate not to be shipped over to Vietnam.
"If it wasn't for people making donations, this wouldn't be happening," he said.
Schedule
Thursday
Noon: Wall opens to the public
7 p.m. -- Opening ceremony, keynote speaker -- Larry Spencer, who spent six years as a prisoner of war in Hanoi.
Friday
5 p.m.-8 p.m. -- Vinyl record dance with music from the Vietnam era.
6 p.m. -- Taps.
8 p.m.-10 p.m. -- Music of the '60s and '70s.
Saturday
Veteran Appreciation Day
10 a.m.-3 p.m. -- Veterans Adminstration officials and representatives of all military branches and veterans organizations present.
Noon and 3 p.m. -- Vietnam Experience (slide show and film on what happened in Vietnam and at home) by Ralph Swain.
6 p.m. -- Taps.
8 p.m.-midnight -- "Something New" concert/dance.
Sunday
6 p.m. -- Closing ceremony
Monday
Noon -- Taps. Wall closes.
Vietnam veterans will be present throughout the weekend to answer questions.
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