Vietnam 'The Moving Wall' coming to Coldwater May 14-18th

Dickman Yee

Butch Rule, President of the Local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 730, along with it’s members & local Legions, Home Depot, Wal Mart, Speedway Chicago Pike Florist, Coldwater Police, American Legion Riders of Bronson & Quincy, Eagles Club riders & the Patriot Guard. has for the last several months along members of the Memorial Weekend Committee has been busy putting together all the details of bringing Vietnam "The Moving Wall" to Coldwater for the 2nd time. The last time "The Wall" was here was in 1991 and was displayed @ Branch County Memorial Park on Benke Rd just South of US-12.

As back in 1991 it will take many volunteers, support of many businesses to bring "The Wall" to Coldwater. based on the main site "The Moving Wall" is making it’s only appearance in lower Southern Michigan for 2009

Vietnam "The Moving Wall" will be Manned 24 Hour a day while on display at Heritage Park from May 14th thru the 18th @ Coldwater’s Heritage Park on Hatch Ave & Western Ave (Westside of Town on US-12-Shell Gas Station on corner go North)

This is FREE to the public, and will be handicap accessable with donated wheelchairs & assist from volunteers & UTV 4 seater provided by Planet Powersports.

Times for Ceremonies;

May 13 9:00 A.M. Parade Escort of "The Wall" from Hampton Inn to Heritage Park (Westside of Coldwater) then is setup by area volunteers

May 14 2:00 P.M. Ceremonies in front of "The Moving Wall"

May 17 P.M. 6:00 P.M. Closing Ceremonies in front of "The Moving Wall"

May 18 "The Wall is packed up by 4:00 P.M. Volunteers are needed for this as well.

Quoted from Monday’s May 11th, 2009 Daily Reporter

At the Opening Ceremonies are Coldwater Mayor Gene Wallace, Branch County Circuit Judge Bill O’Grady & Former Sate Representative Bruce Casewell, as well as 10 Families of the 12 Branch County Soldiers who are among the 58,228 names listed on the wall.

Rule said it is hoped people will come away from the wall with a sense of "responsibility"We are the same young sons today. It doesn’t matter wheather you look at World War II or Iraq or Afghanistan vets," he said.” You see yourself"

About THE MOVING WALL

"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington.

John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

For more information visit Website link @ http://civilwardays.webs.com/movingwall.htm Visit the national site @ http://www.themovingwall.org/