The Wall That Heals is now officially open for public view.
An opening ceremony Thursday morning had between 500-750 people. Local organizer Ed Rathke was glad to see the turnout and the cross-section of residents that came to the wall, in part to say “thank you” for the Americans who served in Vietnam.
Rathke thanked the 200-plus volunteers for their willingness to help with setup, tear-down and other matters.
Sandra Nugent with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has been touring with the exhibit the last couple years.
Whether you consider the wall itself or the mobile education center, Nugent says The Wall That Heals is vitally important across generations because of the education it provides.
Activities were structured in a similar fashion to Emporia’s annual Memorial Day and Veterans Day services, including the presentation of the colors, national anthem, pledge of allegiance, invocation, special remarks from Madison First Christian Pastor and Vietnam Bob Robison, poems from Maria Lane and Jerry Laurendine, placing of wreaths at the wall, a Nightingale Tribute featuring members of the Nurses Honor Guard, a gun salute and Taps. The event also had a flyover.
Emporia is among over 30 stops for the wall this year, which is into its 30th year of tours nationally because of the work of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The display also includes a mobile education center with numerous details about the Vietnam War.
The wall will be open 24-7 through the closing ceremonies at 1:45 pm Sunday. Taps will be played every evening at sunset. A special Agent Orange ceremony will take place at 8:30 pm Friday.
KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media will have ongoing coverage. KVOE’s YouTube channel has new videos from the opening ceremonies.
