Saturday, February 10, 2018

Vietnam Memorial exhibit in Middletown, IN

Hanging on the wall in my office are memories of a class trip to Washington D. C. in 1997. Teacher Don Renihan took his 5th grade class from Westwood Elementary School in New Castle, IN to see the sites and visit the war memorials. The photos depict the class visiting the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Korean War memorial and other memorials. The most telling items are framed rubbings of the names of 19 Henry County soldiers that died during the Vietnam War. 

The Vietnam War Memorial is the most visited Memorial in Washington D. C. I had the privilege to see this and other memorials last April. There were a number of Vietnam vets on our Honor Flight. It was very emotional watching them look for and finding the names of their fallen comrades and friends on the wall. When I worked in D. C. in the late 60’s, many of these memorials were not built.  

If you have not seen or visited the Vietnam War Memorial, you will have that chance Sept 27 -30 at Dietrich Memorial Park in Middletown. Circle your calendar. The Wall That Heals exhibition features a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and exhibit will be open 24 hours a day while there. The 24 panels lists the names of the 58,000 men and women who died during the Vietnam War. 

Marty Ballard of Ballard and Sons Funeral Homes in Middletown stated that donations to help defray the cost of bringing the huge exhibit to Henry County would be accepted and appreciated. Donations may be sent to P.O. Box 124, Middletown, IN 47356.



If you need information about VA or Indiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs programs and benefits, you can call me at 765-529-4305. Or email me at jguglielmi@henryco.net. The Veterans Service Office is open Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. till noon. It is located on the first floor of the old Henry County Courthouse. For out more information about the exhibit go to www.vvmf.org.