The Wall That Heals to Travel to Belmont County
At a kickoff meeting last Thursday, the Belmont County The Wall That Heals committee shared that a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will make its way to the community this year, thanks to The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF).
The Wall That Heals is a traveling tribute honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the Vietnam War and the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
VVMF is a nonprofit organization that completed the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1982, and operates “The Wall That Heals” traveling exhibit.
The group selected Belmont County as one of 31 applicants out of 150 nationwide this year that the exhibit will visit.
“We’re honored to bring it,” Roberta Raymond, co-chairman of the committee and Vietnam veteran widow, said. “I think it also shows patriotism in the county.”
The Wall is 375 feet in length and seven and a half feet tall. A 53-foot-long semi-trailer transports the panels and components of the exhibit. It will be escorted by law enforcement and motorists on a local route to the Belmont County Fairgrounds.
A tentative proposed route on Sept. 29 will begin at The Highlands in Triadelphia, travel through Elm Grove, Wheeling into Belmont County at Bridgeport. It will continue through Lansing, Blaine and St. Clairsville before arriving at the fairgrounds.
Adjutant of the St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159 and escort captain Rick Johnson talks about the proposed route for The Wall That Heals semi-trailer. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
Volunteers will set up The Wall on Sept. 30. Three ceremonies are planned, including an “Opening Ceremony” at noon on Oct. 1; “Light up the Night Ceremony,” at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 2 focusing on Agent Orange, and a “Closing Ceremony” at 1:45 p.m. Oct. 4.
The Wall and exhibit will be free and open to the public 24 hours a day from Oct. 1-4.
The trailer transforms into a mobile education center. It will detail stories of service of men and women from Belmont County and the surrounding counties of Guernsey, Jefferson, Noble, Harrison, Monroe in Ohio and Marshall and Ohio counties in West Virginia.
The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall” providing additional information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. It also features the “In Memory” program, which honors the men and women who served in Vietnam, arrived home but died later.
Hometown Heroes, a photo display, honors service members whose names are on The Wall and have this area as their home of record.
The Wall is designed to create a psychological impact, starting at a shorter height and gradually becoming taller toward the center, creating the impression that it rises above visitors. The experience is meant to encourage reflection as people read the names.
“We have a lot of veterans in this town, and we wanted to be able to bring this to help heal them,” Raymond said. “My husband was one who didn’t really talk anything about Vietnam.”
In addtion to Raymond, members of the board include Ed Campbell, Larry Barnes, Cheryl Barnes, Rick Johnson, Jackee Pugh, Jim Kacsmar, Emily Kessler, Jill Hissom, Vince Gianangeli, Curtis Kyer, John Marshall, Sandy Marshall, Anne Haverty Lawson, Michael Novotney and Kurt Turner.
About two years ago, Director Jackee Pugh said Raymond approached the Belmont County Tourism Office with the idea of bringing The Wall That Heals to Belmont County. After not being selected on the first attempt, the county tried again.
“We were thrilled that we were able to improve on our application,” Pugh said, “and show the national organization why it is so important to have this moving exhibit here in Belmont County.”
The organizers of the project partnered with Belmont County libraries and sent out a survey to residents to see how many people have visited the Vietnam Wall in Washington, or who have encountered financial or transportation barriers to see it.
“Offering this mobile exhibit allows more people to explore this part of the country’s history and understand these soldiers gave their lives for our freedom,” Pugh said.
The project will cost $24,000, $12,000 for the exhibit and another $12,000 for related costs. Pugh explained donations for the project are tax-deductible. Donors are asked to make checks payable to the Belmont County Tourism Office and send them to 67800 Mall Ring Road, Unit #485, St. Clairsville, OH 43750.
Raymond emphasized the need for volunteers for the project. The board will conduct a volunteer training session at 6 p.m. Sept. 30. To join the group or learn how to help, reach out on the group’s Facebook page.
“It’s just going to be such a tremendous event for not just Belmont County, but for the Ohio Valley and for a region that has a long history of military service and veterans communities,” Belmont County Commissioner J.P. Dutton said. “The Ohio Valley has dedicated a lot of blood, sweat, tears, and lives in defense of our country’s freedom.”
Dozens gather last Thursday afternoon at the St. Clairsville American Legion Post 159 for the community meeting to spread information on The Wall That Heals. ©Barnesville Area News Company Photo.
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