The Traveling Wall
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD
To honor … to remember … so that we may never forget the sacrifices that have been made.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute's Traveling Vietnam and Cost of Freedom Tribute Wall was recognized, during an opening ceremony at Lamun Lusk Sanchez Texas State Veterans Home on Tuesday morning.
A short welcome was delivered followed by the prayer. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Glen Pugh and the National Anthem was performed by Jodi Nix. The Cross Roads Young Marines conducted the presentation of colors.
“We would like to thank our veterans. We are honored you joined us here today,” Robin Saffle, Administrator at Texas State Veterans Home, said.
Vietnam Veteran and Cross Roads Young Marines Commander Roger Rodman was the guest speaker at Tuesday's ceremony.
“I'm very humbled and honored to be able to help honor and give tribute to the service men and women who gave their lives … Those of us who survived each have a platoon mate on our wall that didn't make it home,” Roger Rodman, Special Guest Speaker, said.
According to Rodman, there were 58,000 plus who served from 1961 to 1965 that didn't get to come home. Statistics show there are another 12,000 unaccounted for or prisoners of war unaccounted for.
“We honor these people; the sons, brothers, fathers, sisters and daughters who gave their lives. This day, we honor those who didn't come home. We fought for the freedom of this country against tyranny and as long as we have a free America, we will have servicemen who will keep us free,” Rodman said.
Rodman continued, “We have experienced post combat, PTSD and other forms of depression, and it's not over. We still live this … we are grateful for the nation that supported us. Us Vietnam Veterans are not going to let what happened to us happen to their generation. As long as we have men and women sacrificing for our freedom, we are going to honor them.”
Before the ceremony concluded, Vietnam Veteran Mike Tarpley performed TAPS. Once the flags were retired by the Cross Roads Young Marines, attendees were able to view the wall and honor the fallen veterans in their own way.
“I thought it was an excellent memorial to those who have fallen; the main part are those in Vietnam, but also those who have served,” Rich Herren, MSGT Retired, said. “I served as part of Enduring Freedom, Somalia, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. I'm (currently serving as) a nursing home administrator so I brought some of the residents over to see the memorial.”
According to Wes Shivers, Tribute Superior, the traveling wall is an 80% replica of what's in DC at 360 feet long. During the memorial, attendees were able to purchase shirts, hats, pins and more or make donations to help support the traveling wall.