Greene County residents touched by traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall

 

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall made its way to Greene County this past week, after an escorted drive from Morgantown, West Virginia.

Hundreds of people gathered Sept. 28 at the Greene County Fairgrounds for the opening ceremony, beginning at 6 p.m., with the posting of the colors. The ceremony included a speaker, Donnie Martin, Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart Recipient, as well as the retrieval of the colors and folding of the American flag.

Following the folding of the flag was a benediction and a performance of “Taps” by Gerard and Livia Schleicher. After the ceremony had ended, many people stayed afterwards to pay their respects to those on the wall.

One of them was Stephanie DeHaas of Clarksville, DeHaas said she came to pay her respects to her uncle.

“‘Brent A. McClellan’ – he was one of the [several] Greene County men that were killed,” she said.

DeHaas said it was important that Greene County hosted the wall because of the difficulty of elder people traveling.

“A lot of people can’t make it to Washington, D.C., and it’s easier for them to come here,” DeHaas said. “Although I’ve been to the one in [Washington, D.C.] – it’s much more emotional – this is nice

for people.”

DeHaas said her aunt would be joining her the next day. DeHaas’ mother died two years ago, and was never able to make it to see the real wall. Her mother was able to see the traveling wall once before, years ago at a different

location.

“I wish [that] I was here with my mother,” she said. “But my aunt is coming in tomorrow and we’ll be here tomorrow, so I’ve got her to hold onto.”

DeHaas, like a countless number of others, shaded the name of her loved one and took pictures.

No ceremonies were held Sept. 29, because this day marked the 118th birthday of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). However, people still made their way to the fairgrounds to see the wall.

Tyler Windsheimer, a senior at Waynesburg University, visited the memorial wall Friday evening.

“I thought it was a really cool experience,” Windsheimer said. “Being able to not only look at the traveling wall but to also look at all the names – about 58,000 names are on that wall – and all of those soldiers that fought for us, to give us freedom.”

Windsheimer said he also came to the wall to visit a fallen family member – his great-uncle, Richard Lee Windsheimer.

Windsheimer’s grandfather and his great-uncle both served a tour together in the Vietnam War. After returning home, Windsheimer’s grandfather wanted to stay but his great-uncle decided to return for another tour.

“When he got there, my pap said he never heard from him again,” Windsheimer said.

Having the opportunity to visit the wall was a special moment for Windsheimer. He called his parents to inform them of his stop at

the wall.

“It was nice to lay down a flower to honor his name, as well as all the other names that are on the wall that fought for us during the Vietnam War,” Windsheimer said.

Windsheimer said it was special that the traveling wall was able to make a stop in Waynesburg. As university students visited throughout the weekend, Windsheimer said the wall was a way of uniting the community.

“[The traveling] wall brought everyone together,” Windsheimer said. “[There were lots of] memories left here this weekend, and there will continue to be [at its next locations] as it keeps

traveling.”

Windsheimer said the environment gave him chills. He commented on the community’s support towards the wall.

“The wall was just spectacular with all of the decorations they had, all the memorial plaques – it just brought everybody together in a way to honor the fallen soldiers that gave us freedom today,” he said.

A recognition ceremony was held Sept. 30 at 1 p.m., including a flyover and the posting of colors. Mitchell provided the invocation again and was followed by the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance.

Tom Stokes, a Clinical Social Worker for Operation Strong Mind, spoke to the crowd. After Stokes’ speech, was a reading of fallen heroes, honoring the local heroes from Greene County who served in the war and lost their lives. There was a 21-gun salute and Gerard and Livia Schleicher once again provided the playing of “Taps.”

Following Sunday’s ceremony, Kenneth Ray Ward, who served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970 as a member of the United States Army, was amongst those shading names onto paper.

Ward, who is from Washington, Pennsylvania, will be a 50-year veteran next year. He shaded the name of a close friend from when he was young and was looking to help others.

Ward came to the wall alone and volunteered his time – nearly 40 hours by the end of the wall’s time in Greene County. Ward, knowing he wanted to volunteer a majority of his time this weekend at the wall, had one thing to say  when he first signed up to volunteer.

“I’ll be here every day,” he had said

But the emotions caught up to him.

“I took a rest – it’s just too emotional, you know, crying every day,” Ward said.

Despite this, he said having the wall in Greene County was a healing experience.

“It’s very emotional,” Ward said. “I’ve cried every day I’ve been here…Young men lost and gave their lives for

our freedom.”