Vietnam wall replica to come to Veterans

The Sun News: Vietnam wall replica to come to Veterans

The Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, will be on display at Veterans High School from April 28 through May 1. The replica contains the names of the more than 58,200 men and women who lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

While the wall is on display, active military from Robins Air Force Base will read the name of each soldier, sailor, airman, marine and Coast Guardsman listed on the wall.

The wall will arrive in Warner Robins about 8 a.m. April 28 and will be escorted by law enforcement and veterans groups down Watson Boulevard to Ga. 247, where it will proceed to Veterans High School. Community members and businesses are asked to line the route that morning to show respect.

Opening ceremonies will begin at 1 p.m. Dignitaries expected to be on hand include Maj. Gen. Robert H. McMahon, commander of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center; Brig. Gen. James E. Sehorn, a POW who retired from the Air Force; Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.; and Gov. Nathan Deal and his wife, Sandra Deal.

Closing ceremony dignitaries are Capt. Bill Robertson, longest-held enlisted POW; retired Maj. Gen. Peter Boylan, president of Georgia Military College; and retired Col. Sam Lamback, chaplain.

The Moving Wall will be open to the public 24 hours a day while at Veterans High School.

Kathryn Carver, director of Service for Service, an organization dedicated to supporting the military that was instrumental in bringing The Moving Wall to the area, said it was time for Vietnam veterans to get some of the recognition they deserve.

“I can’t imagine serving your country, leaving your home and your family, and then coming home and not being thanked and appreciated for your service,” she said.

Carver said the idea to bring the Moving Wall here stemmed from resident Benjamin Jones, who expressed to Carver a desire to honor Vietnam veterans.

Among the names are several of servicemen who listed Warner Robins and Perry as their hometowns.

From Warner Robins are: David Martin Allen, 20; David Eugene Bryant, 21; Anthony Gordon Chandler, 23; Alton Jimmy Fennel, 18; Alvin Maynard Slaton, 22; Wayne Yearwood Stewart, 22; and David Lee Wagner, 31.

From Perry are: Roy Hudson, 21; Dennis Mitchell Perry, 21; and Millard Leroy Williamson, 22.

“It is such a reminder that we are truly blessed to be an American,” Carver said. “We don’t have the freedoms that we have just because we were born here. Every single right and privilege, somebody put their life on the line to provide it.”

Retired Tech. Sgt. Brian L. Schmidt is a past president of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. Schmidt sees the wall as not only a way to honor those who gave their lives in Vietnam, but also to educate those too young to remember the Vietnam War.

“It is an awareness that the American public needs, especially our youth today,” Schmidt said. “Seeing the wall will help to bring those events back to the forefront (of those) that have shaped this country.”

Viewing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, whether the one in Washington or the replica wall due to arrive at Veterans High, is a powerful experience and can be emotional. Schmidt believes with that emotion comes some understanding of the promise an American serviceman makes.

“Our soldiers, sailors and airmen, marines and Coast Guard, when they raise their hand to defend this country, it is a commitment up to and including the loss of their own life to defend this country,” Schmidt said.

“Only two people have given up their life for others -- Jesus Christ and the American soldier.”