Posted on 07/21/2007 12:36:11 PM PDT by mdittmar
Traveling Wall, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Washington, D.C., will be set for public viewing during the eighth annual Northeast USA Vietnam Veterans Association's reunion.
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Vietnam War and Vietnam-era veterans are invited to a reunion encampment from Thursday through Monday on Doman Road in Freehold, Greene County. The Traveling Wall will be on the Freehold Volunteer Fire Company's grounds on Route 32.
The names of 58,249 U.S. troops killed or missing in the war are inscribed on panels on the V-shaped Traveling Wall monument, which is about half the size of "The Healing Wall" in the nation's capital.
At the wall, volunteers with directories that list what panel each soldier is inscribed on will be available.
Gold Star mothers and fathers, brothers, sisters, spouses and friends of the 17 soldiers, Marines and Air Force personnel from Greene County killed in the war will be guests of honor at 7 p.m. Friday during a ceremony commemorating those killed.
Troops from Greene County who were killed in the war were:
Marines: Cpl. Edward Albano, Pfc. William M. Bagshaw, Sgt Norman W. Clearwater, Cpl. Francis Dedek, Pfc. William J. Dolan, Cpl. Ronald Hock, Lance Cpl. Paul Lewis, Cpl. Robert B. Schampier and Staff Sgt. John Wyszomirski.
Army: 1st Lt. Eugene Curless, Pfc. Arnold M. Hull, Pfc. James Oakley, Sgt. Tunis E. Rappleyea, Spec. 4 Michael J. Rowcroft, Warrant Officer Mark V. Schmidt and Spec. 4 Harry J. Sickler.
Air Force: Airman 1st Class John I. Cameron.
Families and friends of other Capital Region troops killed in the war also are invited to be honored guests at the ceremony. Call John Kellegher, association secretary, at 634-7748, to be added to the guest list.
A memorial service and other ceremonies are planned for noon July 28 at the reunion headquarters on Doman Road.
"The reunion is a special time of camaraderie of Vietnam War veterans, but the Saturday afternoon memorial service and other activities are for all veterans, with a special salute for today's United States military personnel. The memorial service will honor the fallen, remember the missing (1,805 missing in action troops) and the living."
Among the objectives of the reunion are "to provide a weekend for old friends to come together and for new friends to meet," he adds.
Veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan also will be saluted during the ceremony and will be welcomed to camp with the Vietnam veterans, according to Ginny Kellegher, John' wife.
John Kellegher, who piloted Army Chinook helicopters in the war, urged veterans to bring families, friends, tents, campers, vans, or just sleeping bags. Motels and other lodging are available nearby. He said more than 1,700 veterans, families and friends attended last year's encampment.
Restrooms and showers will be available around the camping area.
Association and other volunteers will serve hamburgers and hot dogs throughout the weekend. A luncheon is planned to follow that Saturday's memorial service. Free pastry will be offered for breakfast and coffee round-the-clock.
"We provide free coffee, soda and water but not alcohol," said Kellegher. Donations will be accepted to defray expenses.
The reunion is mainly funded by gifts and donations from private individuals, veterans organizations, civic groups and local businesses, according to Kellegher.
Proceeds from the sale of T-shirts, mugs and other items help pay for the reunion.
The Bunker Bill band and other music acts will entertain around a nightly bonfire.
For more information, contact Kellegher at 634-7748 or Tom Heald at retnguard@yahoo.com or visit the Web site www.nevietvets.us
The Traveling Wall will be transported for display in Elm Avenue Park in Delmar from Aug. 8 to 12. The Sheehy-Palmer Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars is sponsoring the visit.
I remember viewing the Traveling Wall down in Southern California years ago. Very emotional. You don’t even want to talk out of respect for those whose names are on the wall.
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