Photo By Ismael Ortega | A Visitor to “The Wall That Heals” reads the names of the fallen service members...... read more read more
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Veterans, civilians and service members attended the opening ceremony of the “The Wall That Heals” at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery April 14. The Wall That Heals is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the nation’s capital, honoring the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the war and bearing the names of the 58,249 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during the Vietnam War.
The traveling Vietnam War memorial arrived April 13, escorted by the Patriot Riders from the outskirts of El Paso to the cemetery. The replica travels within a mobile education center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, contains a history and photo of every name on the wall, and promotes healing and education to future generations. Fort Bliss Soldiers, with the help of volunteers, assembled the replica.
The Wall That Heals offers people who can’t make the trip to Washington, D.C., a chance to see the memorial in their local community. Since its debut in 1996, the traveling memorial has made stops in nearly 400 communities nationwide.
“It’s a very humbling experience. It really shows you the sacrifices that a lot of people made before our time,” Jonathan Bladen, Army veteran and patriot guard rider said.
The ceremony began with the massing of the colors by the Joint Task Force-North All Service Color Guard, followed the national anthem. Ame Callahan, acting director, Fort Bliss National Cemetery; Gail Graham, acting director, El Paso Veterans Affairs Medical Center; the Honorable Joseph Moody, Texas representative; and Brig. Gen. Kurt Crytzer, commander, Joint Task Force-North, addressed the audience during the ceremony.
Callahan, who was adopted by a Vietnam veteran, reflected on how she was given the chance to live the American life. Growing up in military bases for more than 20 years, she eventually found a career in the Veterans Administration.
Speakers covered a wide array of topics, ranging from the backlash Vietnam veterans faced after the war to the lasting contribution they made to the United States.
After the remarks, a wreath was placed by Callahan and Crytzer, followed by a 3-rifle volley by the EL Paso Marine Honor Unit compressed of members from the Marine Corps League and the19th Rifle Company, United States Marine Corps Reserve Foundation. The ceremony came to end with a performance of bagpipes by Mahrla Manning with Empyre Pipes & Drums, “Taps” by a 1st Armored Division Band member, the retiring of the colors and the benediction. Afterwards, visitors had the opportunity to visit the wall.
Close to 150 names from the El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico, communities are inscribed on the wall. Hundreds of visitors came to pay respect and honor their family members, friends and military brothers and sisters from April 14 to Sunday. The Wall That Heals was available to the public 24 hours a day.
“Taking The Wall That Heals on the road gives thousands more veterans and their family members an opportunity to see the wall and honor those who have served and sacrificed so much,” Jim Knotts, CEO of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, said in a press release. “It helps veterans from all of America’s conflicts to find healing and a powerful connection through their common military experiences.”
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2016 12:06 |
| Story ID: | 196232 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | LAS CRUCES, NM, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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