Vietnam Moving Wall is on its way. Opening ceremony set for 6 p.m. June 5
Posted by Jersey Shore Breaking News at Wednesday, June 04. 2008 and is filed under Current of Somers Point 
SOMERS POINT – Thanks to the resolve of legions of volunteers, the Vietnam Moving Wall is on the way to becoming a reality.
Trucks toting sections of the wall, which is a traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., are set to arrive late Wednesday, and workers who travel with the exhibit and dozens of local volunteers are expected to unload the panels, assemble the wall and prepare the site for thousands of visitors all the next day in preparation for the opening ceremony 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5.
The wall will be set up on the ball field across from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2189 on Bethel Road in Somers Point, next to the firehouse.
Members of the VFW began their quest to host the Moving Wall exhibit late last year and have spent much of the time since raising the more than $10,000 needed to accomplish the feat.
Bob Frolaw, Atlantic County Veterans Services officer, said it was an honor for Somers Point to be selected to host the traveling wall at a City Council meeting in December, when they asked the city for its cooperation.
“It is a tremendous tribute to the city,” he said.
The wall is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors to the city, according to Fred Vineyard, commander of VFW Post 2189.
“The wall will provide a chance for closure for Vietnam veterans and an opportunity to honor friends and comrades killed in combat,” Vineyard said in December.
“We are hoping that schools will take the opportunity to bring students to the wall to see the names of the 58,256 men and women who died or were missing in action during the Vietnam War. The names include eight women, seven chaplains, 29 brothers and one father and son. New Jersey has 212,000 veterans who served in Vietnam.”
The memorial will be open for viewing around the clock and manned by volunteers who will assist visitors in finding names. Members of the VFW and American Legion will provide information to visitors.
Jim Donahue, vice commander of the VFW post, said the wall is a little larger than half the size of the wall that stands in Washington D.C.
“It is approximately 252.83 feet in length and a constant reminder of the price we pay for war,” said Donahue.
“While it is in Somers Point the wall will be guarded by retired military plus family members and friends of those who died in Vietnam.”
This visit is sponsored by the Somers Point VFW Post 2189, American Legion Post 352 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 228.
City and county officials and members of the VFW and American Legion from Toms River to Wildwood are expected to attend, Donahue said.
Cars can park at the VFW or at the street hockey courts next to the firehouse. There is also parking available along the bike path.
The closing ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, June 9.
Trucks toting sections of the wall, which is a traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., are set to arrive late Wednesday, and workers who travel with the exhibit and dozens of local volunteers are expected to unload the panels, assemble the wall and prepare the site for thousands of visitors all the next day in preparation for the opening ceremony 6 p.m. Thursday, June 5.
The wall will be set up on the ball field across from Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2189 on Bethel Road in Somers Point, next to the firehouse.
Members of the VFW began their quest to host the Moving Wall exhibit late last year and have spent much of the time since raising the more than $10,000 needed to accomplish the feat.
Bob Frolaw, Atlantic County Veterans Services officer, said it was an honor for Somers Point to be selected to host the traveling wall at a City Council meeting in December, when they asked the city for its cooperation.
“It is a tremendous tribute to the city,” he said.
The wall is expected to draw more than 10,000 visitors to the city, according to Fred Vineyard, commander of VFW Post 2189.
“The wall will provide a chance for closure for Vietnam veterans and an opportunity to honor friends and comrades killed in combat,” Vineyard said in December.
“We are hoping that schools will take the opportunity to bring students to the wall to see the names of the 58,256 men and women who died or were missing in action during the Vietnam War. The names include eight women, seven chaplains, 29 brothers and one father and son. New Jersey has 212,000 veterans who served in Vietnam.”
The memorial will be open for viewing around the clock and manned by volunteers who will assist visitors in finding names. Members of the VFW and American Legion will provide information to visitors.
Jim Donahue, vice commander of the VFW post, said the wall is a little larger than half the size of the wall that stands in Washington D.C.
“It is approximately 252.83 feet in length and a constant reminder of the price we pay for war,” said Donahue.
“While it is in Somers Point the wall will be guarded by retired military plus family members and friends of those who died in Vietnam.”
This visit is sponsored by the Somers Point VFW Post 2189, American Legion Post 352 and Vietnam Veterans Chapter 228.
City and county officials and members of the VFW and American Legion from Toms River to Wildwood are expected to attend, Donahue said.
Cars can park at the VFW or at the street hockey courts next to the firehouse. There is also parking available along the bike path.
The closing ceremony is scheduled for 4 p.m. Monday, June 9.
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