Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall

“The Moving Wall” is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for thirty plus years. 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. Devitt’s idea was deeply personal. He had been out of work when the Wall was dedicated, and had made the trip with financial help from family and friends. “There were millions of people who would never be able to come to Washington,” he realized, “I wanted them to be able see and feel what I had.” His emotions ran deep. “Before 1982 I never felt like I needed a parade or a memorial,” he said. He had come to the Wall expecting to dislike it, anticipating it would be as some media stories had said, “a black gash of shame.” Instead, the Wall changed his life; it gave him a new mission and sense of pride in his military service.

Students, in cooperation with faculty and veterans, will act as Visitor Guides at The Moving Wall.

The Moving Wall will be open to the public 24 hours a day starting at 9 a.m. on November 1 through 6 p.m. on November 5. “The Flames of Freedom” bonfire will be lit each night at 6:30 p.m. to honor and remember the near 59,000 names inscribed on the Moving Wall.

Thursday, November 1st
Escort and Blessing
Keynote Speakers: Father Phil Salois
State Time: 8:00 AM
(Reception to follow)

Candlelight Vigil
Keynote Speaker: Pastor Jim Ricci
Start Time: 6:30 PM
Followed by NEA/Big Read Kick-Off Reception and “The Things They Carried” free book distribution

Friday November 2nd
Opening Ceremony
Keynote Speaker: Nobel Peace Prize Co-Recipient Wayne Smith
Start Time: 10:30 AM

Saturday, November 3rd
Keynote Speaker: Chief Justice Frank J Williams
Start Time: 10:00 AM, US Naval Academy Skydive Team 2PM

Sunday, November 4th
Keynote Speaker: Narraganset Tribe Medicine Man John Brown
Start Time: 9:00 AM

Monday, November 5th
Closing Ceremony
Keynote Speaker: John Musgrave (appears in the film “Vietnam War”) and “Woody” Spring (PHS graduate and astronaut)
Start Time: 9:00AM

Contact Chris Stanley at cstanley@fgschools.com for more information.