Traveling Vietnam wall memorial coming to Winchester
WINCHESTER – Thousands of Vietnam War veterans from all branches of the military never received a proper welcome home ceremony when the war ended for them. That will change April 29-May 3.
A replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., often referred to simply as “the wall,” will come to Winchester and be set up just north of the high school along Union Street. It’s 80 percent of the size of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, and provided by American Veterans Traveling Tribute. The traveling wall is the cornerstone of five days of ceremonies, music and a parade to pay tribute to Vietnam War veterans. It also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the end of the war when Saigon fell to communist forces from the North on April 30, 1975.
The war’s end closed a tumultuous period in American history that began in the 1960s, and served to divide much of society, often along generational boundaries. The older generation mainly supported military action in Vietnam and the younger people, often termed hippies, generally opposed the the war effort.
Connie Kennedy, the director of the Journey Home shelter for homeless veterans in Winchester, said efforts by the shelter to bring the traveling memorial to the city sprang from an idea by volunteer Bridget Swabb Ashley. She wanted to honor the memory of an uncle who was a homeless veteran and died during the 1980s. An idea for a parade grew into this weekend’s memorial activities.
The wall is 360 feet on a side and about 8 feet tall at the highest point in the middle. All names etched on the original will also appear on the replica. There will be guides so people can help locate specific names.
The memorial will be open 24 hours a day, free of charge to the public, beginning at noon April 30 and continuing to 3 p.m. May 3.
Kennedy said the activities could bring more than 20,000 people to the city. “It’s going to be a big event,” she said.
Mayor Steve Croyle hesitated to put a number on the people attending, but he expected it to be a “significant” event. He said the memorial will give people a better sense of the war and an appreciation of the era and strife that surrounded those times and the people who served in the military.
Events on Wednesday begin with an escort at 3 p.m. at Wesleyan Church, 5600 U.S. 27 between Fountain City and Richmond. Up to 300 vehicles and motorcycles are expected to accompany the wall as it makes its way to Winchester. Arrival is set for 5:30 p.m. at the high school. County veteran service officer Mike Kennedy will head a welcoming ceremony.
On Thursday, volunteers will set up the wall at 7:30 a.m. Public viewing will begin at noon with an invocation and music. At 6 p.m., an opening ceremony will take place that includes music and speakers.
At 6 p.m. Friday, there will be an evening ceremony with a candlelight ceremony beginning at 9 p.m.
Saturday’s events are highlighted by the parade at 3 p.m. The scheduloe that day is:
10 a.m. Huey helicopter rides to members of the Indiana Air Search and Rescue unit at the high school. Cost is $100 for membership.
Noon: Ceremony and speaker, with the Paint Valley Cadet Corps Drill Team.
3 p.m.: Welcome home parade on Main Street from Orange Street north to Fourth Street, featuring an honor guard, floats, motorcycles, horse units and more.
6 p.m.: Three bands will perform free concerts featuring music from the Vietnam era in Goodrich Park across the street from the high school.
On Sunday, a closing ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., that will include a missing man flyby. The wall exhibition concludes at 3 p.m.
Goodrich Park will also be the site of the concerts, food booths and other items. People can buy 40th anniversary coins minted by SilverTowne.
Kennedy said no veteran or government funding is involved with the events.
VETERANS HISTORY PROJECT
Veterans with a story to tell can have their narrative preserved through a project with the office of Sen. Joe Donnelly and the staff of Paul Phillippe Resource Center.
His staff and other volunteers will host a veterans history project event 2-5 p.m. Thursday at Winchester Community High School. Volunteers will interview veterans from all military branches. Their stories will be recorded and preserved in the Library of Congress.
“The men and women who courageously served our country have moving stores to share about their service,” Donnelly said in a news release. “It is important that we record their statements so that future generations have the opportunity to learn from the experiences and sacrifices they have made to protect our freedoms.”
Veterans who wish to share their stories and volunteers should RSVP by contacting Brian Cavanaugh at 317-226-5555.