Moving Wall® to make a local stop

The Moving Wall®, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will make a rare Berks County stop when it visits the Jim Dietrich Park in Muhlenberg Township, from June 9 to 13.

The Moving Wall will arrive on June 8 and will be open for visitation and remembrances June 9 to 13. The wall will be on display at Jim Dietrich Park, which is located at 4900 Stoudt’s Ferry Bridge Road in Muhlenberg Township. The tribute is being organized by Muhlenberg Township.

The Moving Wall® stands six feet tall at the center, covers almost 250 feet from end to end and has 58,272 names inscribed on its surface. This traveling memorial stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to honor loved ones in their hometown who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.

The sacrifices that our relatives, our friends and our fellow citizens made in Vietnam should never be forgotten. This event is specifically meant to remember, honor and commemorate those who served in the Vietnam War, and to educate the generations of people who are unaware of this sacrifices made by this great country.

Individuals and businesses interested in making a donation or sponsorship to help cover the costs involved in bringing The Moving Wall® to Berks County should contact Robin Gardner by phone at 610-929-4727.

Muhlenberg Township is just northwest of Reading in Berks County.

The Moving Wall® is part of the Vietnam Combat Veterans, LTD located in White Pine, Michigan. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of “The Wall.” He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site. To contact John Devitt you can do so at JohnDV8@aol.com.