LAKEPORT ? More than 50 onlookers bid farewell to the Vietnam Moving Wall Monday during a closing ceremony held at 12:30 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds, where the Wall stood for four days during its only stop this year in Northern California.
Attendees wiped their eyes while a bugler played Taps and a piper played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes as he walked the length of the V-shaped monument, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. Art Grothe of the United States Army spoke at the beginning of the ceremony, saying his brother”s name was on the Wall.
“Most in the military come to develop a profound sense of caring for each other,” Grothe said. “It is that sense of common concern, assistance, support and caring which is one of the greatest attributes of our military, our veterans and our society. Sadly, some people but not all lost that focus during Vietnam, when some confused the policy with the people.”
Grothe continued, “Fortunately, our nation”s support seems now to have been largely regained ? I would also ask you to honor, uphold and pass on an ideal. That is that, as a nation, we entrust our safety, our security and our liberty to young men and women who are willing to put their lives at risk for us. As such, we as a nation owe those men and women our honor, our respect and most importantly, our support.”
Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 951 Chaplain Herman “Woody” Hughes offered the benediction at the end of the ceremony. Groups of people gathered at the Wall one last time at the fairgrounds to view the names of the confirmed casualties, numbering 58,256.
Kelseyville resident Bruce Lewy, who served in the United States Marine Corps during Vietnam, found the name of a man he had trained with, Thomas Keppen.
“I talked to him 10 minutes before he was killed,” Lewy said. Lewy said he served as a lieutenant platoon leader, and found the names of many of the men he led during the war.
Volunteers gathered notes and flags left at the foot of the Wall. They will be sent to the founder”s operating base in White Pine, Mich., where they will eventually be part of a museum. Founder John Devitt started the wall 25 years ago, after viewing the permanent monument in Washington D.C. He wanted to share the experience with his friends who couldn”t travel to see the monument. Devitt said the Wall has served as a catalyst to show Vietnam veterans the community support that was lacking after the war.
“All kinds of people who appreciate the veterans come out,” he said. “I don”t think people knew how to bring up the subject. We veterans didn”t know how to talk about it. At the same time, there were people out there who cared but didn”t know how to bring it up.”
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com, or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
