WALL IN WELLSBURG— Jack Ernest, a Wellsburg native and Vietnam War veteran, reflected on the patriotism and sacrifices of those who served in the war during a service held by the West Virginia Vietnam Mobile Wall at Wellsburg’s Central Park Monday. Similar in appearance to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the wall bears the names of 787 West Virginians who were killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war while serving in Vietnam. A casket was placed before the wall to represent the many who died for their country. The mobile monument will remain at the park until 8 p.m. today. -- Warren Scott

WELLSBURG — The arrival of the West Virginia Vietnam Mobile Wall on Monday spurred memories of local men who were killed while serving in the war and reflections on the sense of duty that brought them there.

Similar in design to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington but bearing only the names of 787 West Virginians who were killed in action, missing in action or prisoners of war in Vietnam, the wall will remain at Central Park at 18th and Charles streets until 8 p.m. today.

As guest speaker for a service at the monument Monday, Vietnam veteran Jack Ernest said the names include 18 Brooke Countians who grew from “snot-nosed kids” who played in and near the Ohio River to young men who bravely accepted their duty to their country even in a controversial war that divided the country.

Among them is Joseph Rodney Craft, an 18-year-old Beech Bottom native who was killed in action on Nov. 15, 1966.

Ernest recalled a vain attempt by Craft and himself to perform body work on his father’s car.

Another who remembered Craft was Doug Lilly, another Beech Bottom native who recalled being kicked out of class with him for talking and playing euchre together on the football bleachers.

Near the monument Lilly created a small memorial to Craft and two other Brooke County natives killed in the war: Joseph Perito of Follansbee, who was 21; and Robert Lazear of Wellsburg, who was 30.

At the center of a ring of small U.S. flags were a M14 rifle, a firearm carried by many U.S. troops in Vietnam, as well as a replica of Craft’s dog tags, complete with a P38 can opener used for opening rations, hanging from it, a camouflage jungle helmet atop it and a pair of Army boots below.

In addition to markers bearing the three servicemen’s names, there was a large framed photo of the “Three Soldiers” statue paying tribute to Vietnam veterans at Washington’s National Mall.

Many stopped at the mobile Vietnam monument to search for loved ones or scan for familiar names.

Retired school teacher Denny Williams pointed to the name Paul Goggin.

“He was a great kid. I coached him. He played football, basketball and baseball and was an honors student. He was a great quarterback and smart — the kind you wanted to coach because he just ate up everything you told him.”

Ernest noted Vietnam veterans who returned from the war encountered at best, apathy, and at worst, derision.

Some anti-war protesters threw feces and urine at the veterans, who also were called baby killers and rapists, and he was discouraged from wearing his uniform off base,’ he said.

Ernest expressed concern that America is losing its sense of patriotism. He said he and other veterans see the act of kneeling by some athletes during the national anthem as a sign of disrespect.

“If you’re kneeling when the national anthem is being played, I can only hope you’re praying,” Ernest said.

He suggested rather than look to the backs of athletic jerseys, youth turn to the chests of veterans for their role models.

Ernest compared a nation’s sense of patriotism to the soul that departs a body when it dies.

“It’s what keeps a nation alive,” he said.

In addition to the display of the wall, Wellsburg’s weeklong celebration of Independence Day includes a concert by Refugee at 7 p.m. today at Central Park, a flag-raising ceremony followed by the Oil Can Derby soapbox-style race near the 1st Ward Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, assorted games at the Betty Carr Recreation Site near 17th Street at 1 p.m. Wednesday, a parade on Charles Street at 7 p.m. Wednesday, followed by fireworks at dusk, with many gathering at the Betty Carr Recreation Site.