Saturday, March 29, was a red-letter day at Emporia’s Ball-McColm American Legion Post 5. Emporia has been selected as the only site in Kansas to host The Wall That Heals in 2025, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica and mobile education center. The Wall That Heals honors the 58,281 servicemembers who lost their lives and all who served defending the United States of America during the Vietnam War between 1959 and 1975.
“There are two local veteran components,” Post 5 Chaplain Lesley Hedges explained during Saturday’s well-attended kickoff event. “The Hometown Heroes Wall of Faces honors local veterans whose names are on the wall in Washington, D.C., because they lost their lives in Vietnam. The In Memory exhibit is of local veterans whose lives were lost after their return from Vietnam. Those interested can apply on the website (https://thewallthathealsemporia.com) through July 13 for adding names for the In Memory exhibit.”
The Wall That Heals, the three-quarter-scale traveling replica, is free to the public and will be open 24 hours a day during its time in Emporia, Aug. 14 through 2 p.m. on its closing day, Aug. 17.
4th District Vice Commander Clarence “Frenchie” Frye said, “The big thing is, anybody who wishes to volunteer can sign up via the website at https://thewalthathealsemporia.com. They can pick the times and positions they want that are most convenient for them.”
The kickoff event included a full afternoon of speakers: Ed Rathke, US Navy; Fred Maddox, US Air Force Vietnam veteran; Charlie Rayl, Col. Ret., US Army Vietnam veteran; Roland Haney, US Navy; Larry Davis, US Air Force; Frank Lowery, US Army Vietnam veteran; and Don Askren, US Air Force Vietnam veteran. Also speaking at the event were state legislators Mike Argabright and Mark Schreiber and Lyon County Commissioner Ken Duft.
Post 5 Commander Ed Rathke concluded, “We’re absolutely thrilled by the turnout! An event like this, you just never know. We reached out and the community really responded. I am beyond impressed by the patriotic attitude our town has brought forth. Thank you, Emporia and the surrounding area!”
Written by Marcia Lawrence, Emporia Gazette
