‘The Wall That Heals’ arrives in Ohio Valley
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The Ohio Valley made sure Tuesday to welcome a monument to fallen Vietnam War soldiers into its community with open arms.
Hundreds of residents, including many school students, lined the streets in both West Virginia and Ohio as The Wall That Heals made its way from The Highlands in Triadelphia, through Ohio County in West Virginia and Belmont County in Ohio, to the Belmont County Fairgrounds.
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display at the fairgrounds 24 hours a day from Oct. 1-4, with closing ceremonies planned for 1:45 p.m. Oct. 4.
A tractor trailer carried the wall to its destination, and it drew a crowd before it even hit the road at The Highlands. Dozens of people on motorcycles, in classic cars and in other vehicles, gathered at Bass Pro Shops at The Highlands to form an escort along with members of law enforcement from both sides of the Ohio River.
Tim Tetz, the site manager for The Wall That Heals, told those gathered at The Highlands, that this display, as well as the monument in D.C., are the symbols of gratitude for Vietnam War soldiers who didn’t receive that gratitude when they came home.
“We all recognize that those Vietnam and Vietnam-era veterans were treated horribly when they came home,” he said. “They didn’t have homecoming parades. They didn’t have a grateful nation who stood beside the road and welcomed them home. And for those 58,281 men and women who are on those panels inside that trailer, they didn’t get that homecoming parade that we often have for those we lose from foreign wars.
“This,” he added, “is that homecoming parade.”
Wheeling City Councilman Dave Palmer said the valley was honored to have this display call this community home for a few days, giving those who might not have the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. to see this important monument.
“Each name represents a life, a family and a story that should never be forgotten,” he said. “Having The Wall That Heals here in the Ohio Valley gives us an opportunity to pause, to remember and to reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made by those who serve.”
Bill Jennings, a member of the American Legion Riders, was among those who helped escort the display to the Belmont County Fairgrounds. He joined the Riders in honor of his father, who served 21 years in the United States Navy. He said it was an honor for him to be part of the convoy heading through the Ohio Valley.
He believed it will be an emotional moment for him when he sees The Wall That Heals on display, and likely will be emotional for others who see it.
“When people come up here and look at all these names, you don’t realize that over 58,000 names are on that wall in D.C. and here,” Jennings said. “It’s really something to think about. You don’t realize how many people we lose.”
From the Highlands, the escort headed down Interstate 70 and switched to National Road in Elm Grove, where it snaked through neighborhoods in West Virginia and Ohio, passing several schools lined with students waving flags and cheering.
At St. Michael Parish School in Woodsdale, students lined both sides of National Road carrying flags. Some waved and made motions to motorists to honk their horns - and many complied.
Principal Adrianne Manning was outside with the students helping them to safely cross the highway and watching the proceedings.
"This was so cool today. - more than I was expecting," she said. "I love that the community was honking to the kids. I felt that they were connected to something larger than them for just a brief moment.
"I made eye contact with one of the veterans on a motorcycle and he touched his heart and said thanks. It just added a layer of meaning to it I wasn't expecting. We were very proud to be a part of it."
She was asked if the students - especially the younger ones - really understood what the wall was all about.
"I'm not really sure. It depends on the age level," Manning said. "I think our middle schoolers knew what was going on. It is a bit of a challenge to teach to a younger crowd. I think they could feel that it was important."
Sixth grader Myla Lawrence agreed the parade "was really cool to see people that were in the war a while ago."
She indicated that understands what the wall means, and that her teachers have been talking to them about it.
"I think the motorcycles were really cool, and that everybody enjoyed watching it." Lawrence said.
Melissa Balcerak, a second grade teacher at the school, observed the students enjoying the convoy.
"It's good to see them take part in history," she said.
Balcerak said the students in her class have not been taught about the Vietnam Wall, but that didn't stop at least one young fellow from enjoying the scene.
He jumped up and down and waved his flag when he saw the motorcycles, and let out a shriek when he saw a trike in the mix.