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Going to the Wall
  
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Conroe Courier
By Kassia Micek
WILLIS – A single black wall, etched with the names of 58,000 American sons, husbands and brothers, stands as Montgomery County’s emotional touchpoint this weekend.
Beginning with a moving and patriotic ceremony Friday morning, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is drawing thousands of friends, family members and fellow comrades-in-arms to caress the names and to remember.
A three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the wall – on display to the public through Sunday at Roark Elementary School in Willis – has a highly polished black granite surface etched with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam, according to www.digniymemorial.com.
“If you want to put it in perspective that’s everyone in Conroe, Willis, New Waverly and out toward the lake,” said retired Army Brig. Gen. Ed Brown. Army. “That’s 50,000 to 60,000. That’s how many were wiped out in Vietnam.”
The names of 24 Montgomery County residents, including nine from Conroe and one from Willis, are included on the wall, evoking memories from those who still honor them.
“I was a graduate of 1967 at Conroe High School,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said. “All nine of those on this wall were my classmates. I knew all of them. … I miss them.
“This is the perfect monument of the Vietnam War. There is a stark beauty and value in the 58,000 names. It could not be more beautiful.”
The monument officially opened to the public Friday with a morning ceremony complete with flyovers, paratroopers, patriotic songs and dancing.
“I want to thank all of you for coming out today,” Willis Independent School District Superintendent Brian Zemlicka said to the hundreds of visitors gathered Friday. “There will be thousands of people who come to our community to visit this wall. All the 58,000 people named on this wall gave their lives so we could sit here and enjoy the freedoms we do today.”
Every exhibition of the wall is sponsored by a local Dignity Memorial provider, with the help and support of area veterans groups and civic organizations, according to www.dignitymemorial.com. The Willis monument is provided by Cashner Funeral Home and Metcalf Funeral Director.
“I was glad to finally see it,” said Willis resident Geoffrey Mosier, who served in Vietnam from 1965-67 with the U.S. Navy. “It’s been traveling for awhile and to see it this close is really nice.”
Marylon Pickens of Porter found her cousin’s name, Earnest W. Brown, on the wall and traced it onto a small piece of paper provided to visitors.
“I got his name on a piece of paper and I’m going to send it to my aunt in Dallas,” she said. “I’m thankful they brought it so close for us and we were able to see it.”
Another ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. today at the monument. It is followed with a 7 p.m. candlelight vigil.
The display is open 24 hours and is lighted and guarded.
“Take time today or this weekend to visit this wall,” said Lt. Col. Tim Ayers of the U.S. Air Force, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. “You will leave here with a greater experience. Freedom is definitely not free.”
The closing ceremony of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall begins at 1 p.m. Sunday at Roark Elementary School, located at 606 N Campbell St. in Willis. A church service begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and the wall will be dismantled at 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit www.dignitymemorial.com or call (936) 756-3311 or (936) 756-2126.
What’s next
The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is on display at Roark Elementary School, located at 606 N Campbell St. in Willis.
• 10:30 a.m. today: Daily ceremony
• 7 p.m. today: Candlelight ceremony
• 8:30 a.m. Sunday: church service
• 1 p.m. Sunday: Closing ceremony
• 3 p.m. Sunday: Wall is dismantled for travel to Las Vegas
• For more information, visit www.dignitymemorial.com or call (936) 756-3311 or (936) 756-2126.
Beginning with a moving and patriotic ceremony Friday morning, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is drawing thousands of friends, family members and fellow comrades-in-arms to caress the names and to remember.
A three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., the wall – on display to the public through Sunday at Roark Elementary School in Willis – has a highly polished black granite surface etched with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam, according to www.digniymemorial.com.
“If you want to put it in perspective that’s everyone in Conroe, Willis, New Waverly and out toward the lake,” said retired Army Brig. Gen. Ed Brown. Army. “That’s 50,000 to 60,000. That’s how many were wiped out in Vietnam.”
The names of 24 Montgomery County residents, including nine from Conroe and one from Willis, are included on the wall, evoking memories from those who still honor them.
“I was a graduate of 1967 at Conroe High School,” County Judge Alan B. Sadler said. “All nine of those on this wall were my classmates. I knew all of them. … I miss them.
“This is the perfect monument of the Vietnam War. There is a stark beauty and value in the 58,000 names. It could not be more beautiful.”
The monument officially opened to the public Friday with a morning ceremony complete with flyovers, paratroopers, patriotic songs and dancing.
“I want to thank all of you for coming out today,” Willis Independent School District Superintendent Brian Zemlicka said to the hundreds of visitors gathered Friday. “There will be thousands of people who come to our community to visit this wall. All the 58,000 people named on this wall gave their lives so we could sit here and enjoy the freedoms we do today.”
Every exhibition of the wall is sponsored by a local Dignity Memorial provider, with the help and support of area veterans groups and civic organizations, according to www.dignitymemorial.com. The Willis monument is provided by Cashner Funeral Home and Metcalf Funeral Director.
“I was glad to finally see it,” said Willis resident Geoffrey Mosier, who served in Vietnam from 1965-67 with the U.S. Navy. “It’s been traveling for awhile and to see it this close is really nice.”
Marylon Pickens of Porter found her cousin’s name, Earnest W. Brown, on the wall and traced it onto a small piece of paper provided to visitors.
“I got his name on a piece of paper and I’m going to send it to my aunt in Dallas,” she said. “I’m thankful they brought it so close for us and we were able to see it.”
Another ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. today at the monument. It is followed with a 7 p.m. candlelight vigil.
The display is open 24 hours and is lighted and guarded.
“Take time today or this weekend to visit this wall,” said Lt. Col. Tim Ayers of the U.S. Air Force, who was a prisoner of war in Vietnam. “You will leave here with a greater experience. Freedom is definitely not free.”
The closing ceremony of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall begins at 1 p.m. Sunday at Roark Elementary School, located at 606 N Campbell St. in Willis. A church service begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and the wall will be dismantled at 3 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, visit www.dignitymemorial.com or call (936) 756-3311 or (936) 756-2126.
What’s next
The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is on display at Roark Elementary School, located at 606 N Campbell St. in Willis.
• 10:30 a.m. today: Daily ceremony
• 7 p.m. today: Candlelight ceremony
• 8:30 a.m. Sunday: church service
• 1 p.m. Sunday: Closing ceremony
• 3 p.m. Sunday: Wall is dismantled for travel to Las Vegas
• For more information, visit www.dignitymemorial.com or call (936) 756-3311 or (936) 756-2126.
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Reader Comments
mrs. do gooder wrote on Oct 26, 2008 2:11 AM:
" We went, and it was very moving. I'm not suprised (you know who) was very disappointed. Many of US served. As I was told (by you know who, once before), "Get over yourself!" "
Whiskyecho wrote on Oct 26, 2008 4:41 PM:
" mrs. do gooder wrote on Oct 26, 2008 2:11 AM:
" We went, and it was very moving. I'm not suprised (you know who) was very disappointed. Many of US served. As I was told (by you know who, once before), "Get over yourself!" "
Why would you take it upon yourself to criticize what I garnered from going to see the Wall ?
Just because you were "moved" doesn't have a frickin' thing to do with my disappointment in the presentation - don't try and force your views upon me - idiot !
And what is this "Many of US served" bologna ? I spent 2 years in VN so shut your pie hole about "US" serving.
By the way - before you post what you think are facts - check your information (such as the next destination for this particular Wall - it's going to Vegas, not Mississippi, or where in the heck you said it was headed - jeeeeez you're a fool). "
" We went, and it was very moving. I'm not suprised (you know who) was very disappointed. Many of US served. As I was told (by you know who, once before), "Get over yourself!" "
Why would you take it upon yourself to criticize what I garnered from going to see the Wall ?
Just because you were "moved" doesn't have a frickin' thing to do with my disappointment in the presentation - don't try and force your views upon me - idiot !
And what is this "Many of US served" bologna ? I spent 2 years in VN so shut your pie hole about "US" serving.
By the way - before you post what you think are facts - check your information (such as the next destination for this particular Wall - it's going to Vegas, not Mississippi, or where in the heck you said it was headed - jeeeeez you're a fool). "
Whiskyecho wrote on Oct 25, 2008 7:30 AM:
I believe it was because I just happened to arrive there in the middle of their "moving and patriotic ceremony" - something in which I had no interest in viewing.
There was nobody at the wall that could help me find the names I was looking for - so I left the grounds.
Yes, a big disappointment.. "