RICHMOND HILL – The American Legion, J.E. Lanier Post 27 and the City of Richmond Hill are pleased to announce the upcoming presentation of The Moving Wall in J.F. Gregory Park. On Thursday, June 12, 2008 the city along with local veteran organizations and local military will welcome the arrival of The Moving Wall. The Moving Wall will be open to the public, 24-hours a day, from June 12-June 16, 2008.
The Moving Wall visit will provide an opportunity for healing to veterans, their families and friends of those who died or are missing in Vietnam, especially those who may not have the opportunity to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. The mobile exhibit will help to educate the community about the war in Vietnam, its impact on our nation and our veterans, and allow others to pay their respects to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice defending our freedoms and way of life.
"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than 20 years. When Vietnam veteran 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. The Moving Wall went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Currently two exhibits of The Moving Wall are now traveling the country from April through November, spending about a week at each site.
During The Moving Wall’s five-day visit, volunteers and in-kind sponsors will be needed to provide a variety of services and products. Donations are being sought to fund this important endeavor. Additionally, many volunteers will be needed to at The Moving Wall to:
• Help make visits more personal, meaningful, and comfortable
• Provide comfort and emotional support to visitors
• Help visitors find names on The Moving Wall using the directories or computer
• Make name rubbings or help visitors make name rubbings
• Answer questions about The Moving Wall, the Wall in DC, or other events
• Help maintain a quiet, solemn, mood near The Moving Wall
• Help keep the area clean
The Moving Wall is being brought to Richmond Hill through the hard work and dedication of American Legion Post 27, the City of Richmond Hill, the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce, Richmond Hill Convention and Visitors Bureau, and local volunteers serving on The Moving Wall committee.
Please join us Tuesday, April 8 in the Richmond Hill City Council Chambers at 2 p.m. for our next meeting. The Moving Wall committee is accepting tax-exempt donations, volunteers, committee members, and sponsorships. For volunteer information please contact Kittie Franklin at (912) 756-3444 or email mailto:kfranklin@coastalnow.net. Interested partners and sponsors are encouraged contact the city or the chamber (912) 756-3444/6459. For more information on tax-exempt donations please contact Gregory MacDougal (912) 884-7273 or send checks payable to the American Legion, Post 27.
Donations can be mailed to:
The Moving Wall
Post Office 250
Richmond Hill, Georgia 31324
Check out the Bryan County News and the Savannah Morning News to keep informed:
2/14/2008 Richmond Hill aims to be stop for Mobile Vietnam Veterans Wall by Allison Bennett Dyche
2/29/2008 Moving Vietnam Tribute Coming by Ross Blair
5/07/2008 Vietnam Vets Tribute Coming in Mid-June by Ross Blair