"Moving Wall" coming to Black River Falls

From May6-9, 2004 the “Moving Wall” the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be in Black River Falls.  Built by John Devitt and other Vietnam veteran volunteers, the “Moving Wall” travels throughout the United States giving people who cannot travel to Washington the opportunity to honor and remember the fallen heroes of the Vietnam era.

The Black River Falls appearance is being sponsored and coordinated by the Ho-Chunk Nation Veterans Services Office and Veteran Services Interim Director, CaraLee Murphy stated the coming of the “Wall” fulfills her desire “to do something for our veterans.”  Murphy, who along with Veterans Service Office Manager, Michael Rave has been the main contact for the visit, added the “Moving Wall” is a tribute to all who served and reminds everyone that her office is available to help ALL veterans, not just Ho-Chunk vets.

In addition to working on the logistics involved with the project, since February both have been recruiting volunteers willing to set up, help assist those visiting, serve as security officers and later take apart the structure.  To be placed at the Area I Community Center Parking Lot, off Highway 54 East (the old Majestic Pines Parking Lot), the “Moving Wall” will be available for public viewing 24 hours a day.  Volunteers will also be available helping those wishing to find the location of a specific name among the over 58,000 names listed.  The Preamble of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial states “the names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us.”

Over 20,000 people are expected to visit the “Moving Wall” during its stay in Black River Falls.  Special invitations have been sent to all American Legion Post in Jackson County.  Also invited and expected to attend are members of the Joseph White Legion Post 442, Wisconsin Rapids, Sanford White Eagle Legion Post, Wisconsin Dells and LaMere Greencrow Rice Post 363, Winnebago, Nebraska.

Also present during parts of the four-day stay will be a display coordinated by the Ho-Chunk Nation Cultural Resources Division.  On Saturday afternoon there will be a ceremony honoring Elliott DeCora, the only Ho-Chunk Vietnam era veteran listed on the Wall.

Murphy stated that the family of Mitchell Red Cloud, Jr. has consented to display Corporal Red Cloud’s “Medal of Honor,” awarded to him posthumously in recognition of his action during the Korean Conflict.