The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., is coming to Halfmoon, NY, from June 2 to June 6.
The Moving Wall was conceived by John Devitt after he attended the 1982 annual commemoration ceremonies celebrated in Washington for Vietnam veterans. He felt that he needed to share his experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veterans volunteered to build The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas, in October 1984. The Moving Wall is a traveling tribute to U.S. servicemen and women who died in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
The length of the full-size Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington is 246-feet and nine inches. The Moving Wall is one section of a three-part tribute to U.S. service members who fought in Vietnam, died in service in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, and those who remain missing in action due to the war.
About 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam. In addition to those killed, 153,000 were wounded. There were 766 prisoners of war of which 114 died in captivity.
Also, more than 700 American servicemen and civilians were captured and held in prisoner of war camps in Hanoi, the surrounding region and in South Vietnam.
More than 1,600 servicemen, civilians and women are still considered missing in action.
Senator Kathy Marchione is sponsoring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. Marchione is Chairwoman of the NYS Senate’s Local Government Committee and a member of the Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs Committee.
This is an incredible tribute to our Vietnam Veterans.
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Hours:
Opening Ceremony will be at 2:00pm on June 2nd.
Viewing hours of The Moving Wall are: June 2nd from 2pm – 10pm; June 3rd, 4th, and 5th from 7am – 10pm; and June 6th from 7am – 12pm