Kraus: The Wall That Heals

I wanted to send out one last reminder to everyone to visit the Walk That Heals exhibit that is coming to Pink Park in Blue Springs this week-end.  Here is a schedule of events:

Tuesday, September 28

12:30 p.m. Parade and escort of Wall begins in Concordia
1:45 p.m.  Wall arrives at Pink Hill Park

Thursday, September 30 - exhibit hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6:55 a.m. Ceremony and Welcome
6:30 p.m. Reflection Ceremony "Enlightening Youth to Vietnam's Legacy"

Friday, October 1 - exhibit hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6:55 a.m. Awakening Ceremony
6:30 p.m. Reflection Ceremony "Courage, Sacrifice and Devotion to Country"

Saturday, October 2 - exhibit hours 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

6:55 a.m. Awakening Ceremony
2:00 p.m. Reflection Ceremony "Honoring the Fallen; Healing the Living"

Sunday, October 3 - exhibit hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

6:55 a.m. Awakening Ceremony
2:00 p.m. Closing Ceremony "All Gave Some…Some Gave All"
3:45 p.m. Boeing CH-47 Chinook Helicopter take off, fly over and landing Last Roll 6:00 p.m. The Wall That Heals Exhibition Ends

The Wall will be accessible and staffed 24 hours a day.  A Veterans Administration trailer will be open at all times for veterans.  Each event mentioned above is packed with activities.  For a full schedule of the activities go to www.bluespringswallthatheals.net and click on Schedule of Events.  You can also find a map as well as parking and shuttle sites on that website.

Our Vietnam veterans are brave and loyal men and women who served in an unpopular war.  This war was a traumatic time for our country.  It was equally traumatic for the troops who came home to a country where many citizens took out their anger on those who answered their government's call to serve their country.

Since then, the people of America have realized their shameful treatment of the troops and largely united once again behind our men and women in uniform.  We recognize and honor all of their contributions to America.  The Vietnam War, however, remains a wound in need of healing.

I particularly urge Vietnam veterans to go, where they can read and remember the names of their comrades and know that this exhibit is for them.  Those who served in that war can receive a commemorative medal, patch or lapel pin.

By honoring these veterans in this way, the Wall That Heals brings a healing message to whoever visits it.