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Escorting the Vietnam Moving Wall

2K views 19 replies 18 participants last post by  jerryw 
#1 ·
Let me preface this thread with the feelings of fear for the United States I have been having for the last 2 or 3 years. With all the internal and external strife this country has been under for the last number of years for the first time in my life I have been truly concerned for the future of the United States. During my youthful years I never had any doubts of the love the people of this conglomeration of States had for their country. Lately, with all the "me, me, me" mentality I have had for the first time in my life a gnawing fear that we as a nation would destroy ourselves from within.

Last night I had a true life changing experience. I along with over one thousand motorcyclists, I was part of an escort for the Vietnam Moving Wall from Kenton, Ohio to Bellefontaine, Ohio. The Moving Wall is a half sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial that resides in Washington, DC. It is ferried around the United States by the Moving Wall Organization. (movingwall.org). As the pack moved out of the Hardin Co. Fairgrounds there were hundreds to thousands of Kenton residents who lined the streets with waving flags. It is very hard to describe the feeling as we slowly made our way around the town square and began to make our way south towards Bellefontaine. It was not long until many eyes including my own were a bit misty. The color guards of the service clubs, in their dress uniforms and standard bearers were along the route as we left Kenton. All along the approx. 30 mile Rt. 68 towards Bellefontaine, the locals came out in droves to wave flags, hands and show respect to the Moving Wall. I didn't see this particular woman but I was told that she was along the road with an apparently old picture of a loved one who she had probably lost in a previous conflict. Another older armed forces gentleman stood at rigid attention, saluting, for as long as I had him in my sight, including in my mirror. Still another was along the road holding a large flag on a tall pole. You could see the pride and respect in his eyes. I saw multiple generations along the road. Grandmothers, grandfathers, mothers, fathers, kids, grandkids, great grandkids et al were present. I hope we made a memory for some of the younger ones.

When we came into Bellefontaine and into the center of town the Bellef. Fire Department with the help of I believe Marysville Fire had their tall ladder trucks with one of the biggest United States flags I have ever seen stretched out between the extended ladders. It was placed so the Wall and accompanying escorts would pass directly underneath the huge flag. It was quite an emotional sight. It is very hard to describe the feelings I had as I rode under our flag...respect, pride, humility come to mind. The ride ended at the Bellef. High School where the Moving Wall will be on display 24 hours a day until Monday morning.

I now have an uplifting sense that there are more people willing to fight, support, love and cherish these United States than who and what the media wants us to believe. We, as a country need to do more of this....showing ourselves and each other how much we love and respect our Nation and our veterans, for it is the veterans who have put their lives where their mouths are to guarantee that we have the freedoms all of us enjoy everyday.

Sorry this post is a bit long but I wanted to get my feelings down in writing before the words escaped me. The United States is truly the Land of the Free and the home of the Brave, and yes I WILL say "God Bless America".

JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
 
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#6 ·
I spent an afternoon at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in D.C. For such an architecturally simple structure, it is by far the most moving of all of the memorials in the city. I don’t know any of the people whose names are listed but could not help but stand there reading them for hours. Just as I would try to take a few steps, another name would catch my eye. I would stop and keep reading names wondering what each person was like; what would they be doing today… if they were here today.


Thank you for the post Mr. Beach.
 
#7 ·
I have been to the Wall in DC also and it was very emotional to me as it is and continues to be for many who visit it. I did not serve although my brother was in-country for almost 1 year (1969-1970). He made it back and is doing great. He doesn't talk much about it and I haven't pressed for info. I rode in his honor yesterday.

Rebel, you are right. They should have welcomed those who returned then as we celebrate as we do today. Sometimes I think it has taken the country as long as it has to figure it out for themselves that maybe what the media has forced down our throats is NOT really what/how the country feels. It's too bad that the far left seems to get all the press when that is NOT a true representation of the country.

JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
 
#11 ·
On August 16th we ( expect 5,000 hoping 8,000) bikers will meet the wall at North Baltimore, Ohio on Rt 75 and take it to Napoleon Harley Davidson. Napoleon has a 3 day event planned that weekend and The Wall will be the main attraction. If you can, please join us. Leaving Napoleon Harley Davidson at 9:00 and plan to be at North Baltimore at 10:00. About an hour ride to Napoleon. For details 419-592-7123.
 
#12 ·
Setterman, thank you for the invitation. When it comes a little closer I'll have to look at my on-call schedule and see if I can make it. I would love to do it again. Makes me feel a bit closer to our troops, veterans and my country. What I witnessed last night IS our country as finger stated. I was and am proud to have been involved.

JB=Jerry Beach 8503917
 
#13 ·
Some one asked "where were those people when the vets came home from the Nam?"..unfortunately, many of them are now serving as members in the Whitehouse, Congress ( Senate & House), your state Congressional Houses and Senates, your cities and county clerks. You can still see their pravelent disdain for the military even now! If it wasn't for re-election issues many of these same military hating peace-niks would be voting down every military expenditure that comes from the Whitehouse!

Rick
USMC
74-79
 
#16 ·
Thank you for sharing the story. I know it was a great honor to be part of it. You were seeing the TRUE AMERICA along your route. There is still much American pride out there, even though the liberal media gives it little exposer. Thank you for helping honor our fallen heros!
 
#17 ·
some people have no clue what we went through in the vietnam war unless you were there, i think about it often. i also think about our men and women in iraq and afganistan. i know what there going through. been there and done that. they are brave brave souls. my heart is out to them.
 
#19 ·
Jerry: glad you enjoyed the experience. I will visit the wall around 4:00 a.m friday morning on my way to work. I know a few people around Troy here that were in Vietnam and luckily made it back. We were at a car show at the Strawberry festival and they were giving helicopter rides. My friend said Uncle Sam let me ride in one of those in 1968. He even let me play with a machine gun. Very few gunners made it a year. Also this year I saw a guy at the Ohio State shoot with a Vietnam veteran hat on. I stopped to talk to him for a few minutes and bought him a tenderlion sandwich. Thanks to everyone who has served. Don Blankenship U.S Army 1982-1985
 
#20 ·
I visited the wall in Washington D.C. It was a very moving experience which I hope everyone gets to experience. I would really like to visit the "Moving Wall". Maybe it will be in my part of the country someday. Jerry B I can only imagine the "Pride" you felt in participating in this. Good Job.

Jerry Walker
 
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