STACYVILLE, Maine — This summer The Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial will be returning to the small town of Stacyville. Sponsored by Sherman Area Memorial VFW Post 2299 and its Ladies Auxiliary, the Moving Wall first visited Stacyville in 1999, then again in 2002.
“Since this is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam war, what better time to bring the Wall back, to honor and respect those that made the ultimate sacrifice?” said Commander Wayne Guiggey of the VFW Post 2299. “It is an opportunity that many people would never otherwise have. Contributions and donors are instrumental in bringing the Wall here, and private citizens, Post and auxiliary members, and business owners are making it all possible.”
The “Moving Wall” will be on display at Katahdin High School in Stacyville. All ceremonies will take place in front of the wall. It will officially open on Thursday, June 20 when there will be a Welcome Ceremony at 1 p.m. by Post 2299 Commander Guiggey and Auxiliary President Allison Roy.
On Saturday, June 22 there will be a ceremony at 1 p.m. Guest speakers will include Department of Maine VFW Commander David Olson, Vietnam Veterans of America Maine State Council President John Wallace, Major General Stephen Nichols, Ret., and Representative Sheryl Briggs (District 93). That night there will be a patriotic cantata inside the school auditorium at 7 p.m., led by Roy.
Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m. will be designated to recognize all Maine Vietnam POW-MIA’s. At that time there will be a “Table For One” ceremony, full of symbolism about the men “missing from our midst,” Guiggey said.
That ceremony will be followed by a balloon release.
The Wall will close on Monday, June 24, at 1 p.m.
“From the day it opens until the day it closes, the Wall will be open 24 hours a day,” Guiggey said. “Volunteers and guides will be available to answer questions and help find names on the panels.”
In 1982 John Devitt, a former helicopter door gunner and Army veteran, visited Washington, D.C. for the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and to participate in the National Salute to Vietnam Veterans. This visit and experience changed Devitt’s life and led to the creation of the “Moving Wall.” He wanted everyone who couldn’t visit the Monument in Washington to share the experience and emotion which it evokes.
“The Moving Wall” is the half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country since 1984. It is made of aluminum panels, having a surface painted with a two-part polyurethane gloss black which gives a mirror-like finish, mounted to angular aluminum frames. Overall length of The Moving Wall is 252.83 feet, which is slightly longer than half the length of the Memorial in Washington, DC. whose length is 493.5 feet.
At the vertex of The Moving Wall, where the two walls join at an angle, the panels are six feet in height. In Washington, D.C., these same panels are 10.2 feet in height.
Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. Two structures of The Wall now travel the country from April through November. The Wall that will be coming to Stacyville will be brought by Aaron and Lisa Gray. It will be the only showing of the Wall in Maine this year.
Since the Moving Wall has been in existence, it has been visited by millions of people in hundreds of locations. While some things have changed, its impact remains the same. The schedule of the Moving Wall continues to be crowded as it journeys across the country.
“Many people have not heard about Devitt or the Moving Wall; his humble and hard working attitude are partially responsible,” Guiggey said. “When the Wall comes to a town, it brings people out from all over. Devitt tries to play it low key because the Wall speaks for itself.”
John Devitt said, “This isn’t about me. It’s not about John Devitt. It’s about remembering 58,000 people who died in service to their country.”
People should never walk away from the Moving Wall with the idea that the government paid for this project, or some corporation funded it. The story is important, not to glorify any individuals, but to demonstrate the spirit and commitment that are an integral part of being American, Devitt added.
For more information about the Wall, call 267-4016, 365-4832, or e-mail firstcavair@yahoo.com. People can also like the VFW on Facebook @ Sherman Area Memorial VFW Post 2299 and Ladies Auxiliary for updated information and events.
