NEW MADRID -- It is an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., but Wiley Allred, commander of New Madrid County Memorial VFW Post 7183, believes it will have 100 percent of the impact.
When the Traveling Wall is on display May 7 through 10 in New Madrid's Scott Street Park, Allred, who served in Vietnam in 1968-69, said he will carefully look through the 58,000 inscribed names of those who lost their lives in Vietnam.
"It means a lot to me," Allred said about the wall. "I have a very good friend on that wall. And there are few guys in East Prairie and some guys I served with, too."
Also he intends to bring his six grandchildren to the memorial. Although they are young, he said, it may be the only time they will see it.
"I want them to have an understanding of what it costs to have freedom. Sacrifices had to be made and those guys gave it all," Allred said. "I hope they learn to always look up to veterans because of the sacrifice they paid for the freedom we have today. To respect them but don't be afraid of them. To talk to them and listen to their stories . . . and to thank God everyday for them."
According to New Madrid County Veteran of Foreign Wars member Gary Riley, who is chairing the project, when the memorial was in Sikeston several years ago, that is the farthest south it has been in Missouri. With many of the Vietnam veterans and their families getting older, he and the other VFW members decided it was time to bring the Traveling Wall back to Southeast Missouri.
"I don't want it lost to history," Riley said about the Vietnam War. "The awareness needs to be kept in the forefront."
The Traveling Wall's arrival to New Madrid County will begin with a special escort as the truck carrying the panels crosses the county line. Riley said between 2 and 3 p.m. May 6 the VFW Riders, the American Legion Riders and anyone else can join the escort from the Three Rivers College-Sikeston campus down Highway 61 into New Madrid.
Assembling the Wall, which measures 360 feet in length and at its apex is 8-feet tall, will begin at 8 a.m. May 7. Riley invited anyone 18 or older who wants to assist to join the VFW members in assembling the wall, tents and other displays which are part of the memorial. Workers should arrive around 7:45 a.m. and only need to bring a pair of gloves with them.
"There will be something for everybody to do as we go from a mowed lawn and in less than five hours turn it into the Vietnam Memorial Wall," he said. "It will be a pretty hectic but organized pace."
He said they must work quickly to be ready for the 1 p.m. May 7 opening ceremony. According to Riley, the brief ceremony will be "very reverent and low key" and will include the presentation of the colors, a guest speaker and music provided by students from New Madrid County Central High School.
Each evening at 8 o'clock the color guard will lower the POW/MIA flag as "Taps" is played then repost the flag. This is to honor those still listed as missing in action from the conflict.
The closing ceremony on May 10 will include the playing of"Echo Taps" and a 21-gun salute.
While some may choose to attend the special ceremonies, Riley said others may opt for a quieter time. The Traveling Wall will be open to visitors 24-hours a day and individuals will be available throughout the four days with computers to help locate specific names on the wall. The computer program can also search for specific dates, units, towns or counties.
Also the VFW will have etching paper with pencils for those who choose to etch a name. Volunteers will be available if assistance is needed.
Riley said if schools or nursing homes wish to bring groups to visit the memorial, they should contact the Post. Additional volunteers will then be made available to answer questions, etc.
Before the memorial is taken down and loaded onto a truck to be taken to Fort Campbell, Ky., where it will be located next, Riley expects those viewing the Traveling Wall will experience an array of emotion.
For some it will bring back memories. For others, he said, it may bring an awareness of a war which occurred long before they were born.
For many, who like him served in Vietnam, he believes it will also bring comfort.
"My cousin was the last name etched on that wall from Portageville. I attended his funeral then two weeks later was inducted. Eight months later I was in Vietnam," Riley recalled. "We were kids and most of the 58,000 plus names on that wall were very young -- 19, 20, 21, 22 years old."
Those who survived were impacted by their service in Vietnam, he said. "Whether you are in the sky at 40,000 feet or a boat running down the river, it brings the vulnerability of life a little closer," Riley said. "You grow up."
While many veterans didn't talk about their service when they returned from Vietnam, Riley said over the years he has observed the veterans and the public's attitudes changing. For those who survived, he said, the tribute is paid when the Traveling Wall is here lets them know that their service is not forgotten.
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The Post is accepting contributions to bring the Memorial Wall to New Madrid County and has already received many donations, both monetary and in-kind. Contributions may be sent to New Madrid County Memorial VFW Post 7183, P.O. Box 808, Lilbourn, MO 63862. Any donations that exceed the cost of the project will be sent to the Vietnam Memorial Fund that maintains the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., organizers said.