STACYVILLE — 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.
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 Wayne Guiggey and Auxiliary President Allison Roy.
“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.
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.
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.
