Latest news with #TheWallThatHeals
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds honor Vietnam veterans during Wall That Heals ceremony in Shaler
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., visited Shaler during the Memorial Day weekend, from May 22 to 26, as a key feature of the township's 125th anniversary celebrations. Thousands of names are etched in the stone, honoring local men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. 'It's so important that these children recognize what I did, what my brother did, what my uncles did, and what my grandfather did,' said veteran Daniel Bonnett. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly known as The Wall, was dedicated in Washington, D.C., in 1982 and is one of the most visited memorials, attracting an estimated 5.6 million visitors each year. The Wall That Heals was originally unveiled as a half-scale replica in 1996 and upgraded to three-quarter size in 2018. It measures 375 feet long and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point, consisting of 140 panels made of synthetic granite. Shaler Township is one of only 31 communities that will experience The Wall That Heals. 'If you had a family member who died, whether you knew them or not—an aunt, a sister, a brother, or a father—you should show respect, and we need to honor that, as everyone deserves respect,' Bonnett emphasized. Vietnam Veteran Jake Buckler, a Shaler and Penn State graduate who was drafted at just 21 years old, expressed how he initially did not receive this recognition upon returning home in 1971. 'There was no acknowledgment when I came back. I returned on June 8, 1971, and flew into Pittsburgh Airport. My mother and father were there to greet me, but no other family members or friends recognized what I had done,' Buckler recalled. Like many Vietnam veterans, Buckler faced indifference and, at times, hostility, making it difficult for him to process his grief for the friends he lost. 'A lot of people don't understand what happened back then. I have two classmates from the [Shaler] class of '65 who are on this wall, and I have come to acknowledge their sacrifice,' he said. On Monday, hundreds gathered at Anderson Field in Shaler Township to remember those who were lost and those who returned home. Buckler described the ceremony as long overdue and one that provided him with a sense of healing. 'This is an amazing event, and I am so thankful to everyone who participated and helped bring this here,' Buckler said. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Wall that Heals', replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial, on display in Shaler Township
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is now on display in Shaler Township. You can see the 'Wall That Heals' at Anderson Field at Shaler Area High School over Memorial Day weekend, along with a mobile education center. 'The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Shaler Township to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,' said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. 'Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.' The wall is transported in a 53-foot trailer. When it arrives, the trailer opens with the exhibit built onto its sides. It is 375 feet in length and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. It will be open 24 hours a day through May 26 at 2 p.m. Admission is free. The last time the wall was in Pittsburgh was in 2019. For more information, click here. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Wall that Heals' coming to Shaler Township ahead of Memorial Day
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will make an appearance in Shaler Township this year. The 'Wall That Heals' will be at the Shaler Area High School over Memorial Day weekend along with a mobile education center. 'The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Shaler Township to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,' said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. 'Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.' It will arrive on May 21 and the public will be able to view it the next day. The wall is transported in a 53-foot trailer. When it arrives, the trailer opens with the exhibit built onto its sides. It is 375 feet in length and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. The last time the wall was in Pittsburgh was in 2019. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Glenn County seeks return of Vietnam memorial wall replica
The last time The Wall That Heals was in Glenn County was 2016. There are hopes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica will be back in 2026. Leadership from the Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency gave a presentation to the Glenn County Board of Supervisors earlier this month explaining the efforts necessary to apply for, fund and host the 375 foot memorial. 'There is a lot of planning associated with this project,' said Bob Johnson, Veterans Services officer with the Health and Human Services Agency. Yasmin Caro from the Agency, said it would be a great honor to be able to once again host The Wall That Heals. 'The Wall is a replica of the Wall in Washington, D.C., that memorializes the 58,000 American service members who died or remain missing from the Vietnam War,' she added. When the Wall was in Willows in 2016 more than 9,000 people were in attendance, Caro said. 'The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America's honor and recognition of all who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War,' she shared. 'There will be extensive planning involved in bringing The Wall That Heals to Glenn County, including support from government entities, schools, law enforcement, fire departments, Veterans Services, businesses and non-profits to help bring this honorable event to our community, to help lead, volunteer, fund, promote and more.' Application deadline is Sept. 1 and there are currently 141 interested cities seeking one of the 34 locations slots for the national 2026 tour. The cost to host is $12,000 and Caro said those funds would be raised through fundraising projects and donations. Additional costs include promoting the project, drinks/snacks for volunteer, city/county employee time, for example. The Wall That Heals is ¾ scale of the original wall with a 53 foot education trailer that expands on both sides. Entrance to view the traveling Wall is free to the public and Caro said if the memorial replica comes to Glenn County there are plans for all schools to attend and take a tour. The Wall is on display and open for viewing 24 hours a day. 'I would appreciate the help and support of this board as we work to honor our military veterans by submitting an application to bring The Wall That Heals back to Glenn County,' said Laura Hawkins, Glenn County Health and Human Services director. The Board unanimously voiced their support for the project. 'You are rock stars for your work and effort towards this project,' said Supervisor Tony Arendt. His comments were followed up with each of his fellow supervisors voicing their support for the Health and Human Services Agency submitting an application for the Wall That Heals to come to Glenn County next year. As part of the application, Glenn County will need to pick three dates when it would be possible to host the event and find at least two locations in Orland where the Wall could be display – a space approximately the size of a football field with grass and areas for parking. In addition, the application requires a 200 word response of why The Wall That Heals should come to Glenn County.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A powerful tribute to Vietnam veterans made its way through Baton Rouge, accompanied by the roar of motorcycles. The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, arrived with a special escort, offering the community a moving opportunity to honor the lives lost in the war. The journey began at O'Neal Lane and concluded at Life Tabernacle Church, where the wall will remain on display until Sunday. Among those leading the escort was ride captain and veteran Paul Ledut, who shared what the moment meant to him. 'The wall means a lot to me. I have a lot of friends who are on the wall also,' Ledut said. 'This ride is about showing honor and respect for the Vietnam vets and those who never made it home.' The replica, which features nearly 60,000 names of fallen service members, also includes a mobile education center. Team member Tim Tetz explained how the exhibit connects with local communities. 'We're going to show those from this parish and surrounding parishes who are on the wall—their names, their photographs, their stories,' Tetz said. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect, heal, and pay tribute to those who served. For many, the experience is deeply personal. 'You might be remembering a family member you lost,' Tetz said. 'Or you might learn something about the Vietnam War that you were never taught in school or told by your loved ones.' Organizers said The Wall That Heals serves as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, service, and the importance of never forgetting our nation's heroes. Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman hopes to inspire next generation of accountants National Weather Service could face potential cuts amid workforce layoffs 'The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans East Baton Rouge Parish students take a stand against underage drinking Louisiana executes death row inmate Jessie Hoffman using nitrogen gas Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
