By Shannon K. Jones
Staff Reporter
Click photos for larger images & cutlines   |
SAULT STE. MARIE - "The Moving Wall," a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is currently on display at Big Bear Arena until July 17, giving locals the opportunity to pay their respects to those who served in the Vietnam War. Created in 1982, The Moving Wall has been traveling the country for more than 20 years.
While Vietnam War may have ended in 1975, today it remains a poignant piece of United States history and strikes an emotional chord in many. With soldiers still missing in action and a country divided over what Congress officially declared a "conflict," there is still no denying the amount of human life lost during arduous battle. More than 58,000 fatalities were suffered by the U.S. during the Vietnam War, while the duration of the war took the lives of more than 2.5 million.
Vietnam Veteran volunteer John Devitt began working on the idea for the traveling wall after he visited the original Washington, D.C., memorial dedication. Devitt left the dedication feeling it was his duty to share the power of The Wall with those unable to make the journey to the Capitol.
Shortly after, Devitt collaborated with fellow Vietnam Veteran volunteers Norris Shears and Gerry Haver, and "The Moving Wall" was born.
Sault Tribe's Cultural Repatriation Director Cecil Pavlat, Sr., credits the efforts of tribal member Ed Cook for bringing the memorial to the area for a second time.
"Ed is a Vietnam Veteran who served two tours in the war," said Pavlat. "He cares about veterans receiving the proper recognition for their service."
Bringing the Wall to town was no easy feat. The event, sponsored by Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, required a number of volunteers working in a variety of facets, from assisting in assembly of the 252-foot structure to cleanup and helping visitors locate veteran's names on the Wall.
The Wall, under 24-hour watch, lists the names of 58,228 soldiers. Approximately 1,300 of those names are of individuals who are unaccounted for, most likely prisoners of war or missing in action. Names are arranged in chronological order, according to date of casualty.
The Moving Wall is the only replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The project was paid for from contributions made by the public; no government entities or corporations are responsible for its creation.
