The Wall That Heals by Will Ashby

w e lcom e to the wall that heals

MARCH 26â&#x20AC;&#x201C;29, 2020 ne w ber n | north ca r ol in a

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T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS FATHER KENNETH I. PARKER ASSEMBLY 1820

IN MEMORIA M As we observe the 65th anniversary of the Vietnam War, we reflect with solemn reverence upon the valor of a generation that served with honor. We pay tribute to the more than 3 million servicemen and women who left their families to serve bravely, a world away from everything they knew and everyone they loved. From Ia Drang to Khe Sanh, from Hue to Saigon and countless villages in between, they pushed through jungles and rice paddies, heat and monsoon, fighting heroically to protect the ideals we hold dear as Americans. Through more than a decade of combat, over air, land, and sea, these proud Americans upheld the highest traditions of our Armed Forces. As a grateful Nation, we honor the more than 58,000 service membersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;their names etched in black graniteâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;who sacrificed all they had and all they would ever know. We draw inspiration from those who suffered unspeakably as prisoners of war, yet who returned home with their heads held high. We pledge to keep faith with those who were wounded and still carry the seen and unseen scars of war. With more than 1,600 of our service members still among the missing, our pledge as a Nation is to do everything in our power to bring them home. In the reflection of The Wall, we see the military family members and veterans who carry a pain that may never fade. May they find peace in knowing their loved ones endure, not only in medals and memories, but in the hearts of all Americans, who are forever grateful for their service, valor, and sacrifice. While no words will ever be fully worthy of their service, nor any honor truly befitting their sacrifice, let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor.

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T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

THANKS

to o u r wa l l com m i t t e e CHAIRMAN............................................................George Halyak VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS.................................. Ralph Aviles

Doug Uhland Randall Ramian

CEREMONIES COORDINATOR..............................Mark Sandvigen SCHOOL FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR .......................Dick Dobson MEDIA COORDINATORS..........................................Gary Guodace

Elizabeth Hartman

PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR....................... Dianne Powell GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS COORDINATOR ..........Dave Nelson SITE COORDINATORS...............................................Jim Dunham

Doug Foster Jim Kelly

LOGISTICS & TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR........ Rick Miller ESCORT COORDINATOR........................................ Jack Olmstead TREASURER ..................................................... Nick Dalessandro PHOTOGRAPHER....................................................... Dan Leister CREATIVE DIRECTOR..............................................Chevy Kaylor

T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

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from the

chairman

his week of remembrance is dedicated to the more than 58,000 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War, the thousands more that were wounded, and the over 1,600 who remain missing in action. These young men and women have had a lasting impact on the America we know and love today. While we mourn the loss of so many, we are the direct recipients of the many positive gifts those who served in Vietnam made possible. In the fields of medicine alone, their legacy is something we take for granted todayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; emergency medical services (EMS), vascular surgery, burn care, CAT scans, portable long-range communication, medevacs, and advances in blood transfusionsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all had their birth in Vietnam. When questions arose on whether it was both ethical or fair to send someone who could not vote to fight Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wars, the answer was a resounding no. This resulted in the 26th Amendment to the Constitution where the legal adult age was recognized as 18. Last, we owe a great debt to these veterans by providing us with a legacy that has lasted almost 50 years: no military draft. The lessons learned during Vietnam paved the way for a professional all-volunteer military and an end to conscription. Throughout this Commemoration, let us strive to live up to their example by showing our surviving Vietnam veterans, their families, and all who have served the fullest respect and support of a grateful nation. As a final comment, as a committee preparing to bring the Wall to New Bern, we were touched by the overwhelming support from our community. We are indebted to the many veterans, active military, community organizations, businesses, city and public works employees who put forth so much time and effort to make this remembrance possible. My sincerest thanks,

GEORGE E. HALYAK

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T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

t h e wa l l t h at h e a l s opening ceremony t h u r s d ay, m a r c h 2 6 Ceremony Commences at 6 p.m.

★ Salute to Vietnam Veterans ★

Bryan Mayer

★ Official Welcome ★

Arrival of Official Party ★ Invocation ★

Reverend Thomas S. Tully Pastor, St. Paul’s Catholic Church ★ POW/MIA Ceremony ★

Mr. George Halyak Chairman, Vietnam Wall Committee ★ Colors Presentation ★

USAF Honor Guard Seymour Johnson Air Force Base ★ National Anthem ★

Bryan Mayer

★ Remarks ★

Honorable Dana Outlaw Mayor, New Bern, NC ★ Remarks ★

Lt Col Patrick Lindstrom, USMC Executive Officer, MCAS Cherry Point ★ Principal Address ★

Jane Knowles, Capt., NC, USA 85th Evac Hospital, Phu Bai ★ Benediction ★

Reverend Thomas S. Tully Pastor, St. Paul’s Catholic Church ★ Taps ★

Katie and Pat Dougherty ★ Ceremony Closure ★

v ie t n a m wa r v e t e r a n s day & closing ceremony s u n d ay, m a r c h 2 9 Ceremony Commences at 1 p.m. ★ Band Selections ★

Marine Corps Band, MCAS Cherry Point ★ Official Welcome ★

Arrival of Official Party ★ Invocation ★

Dr. Jim Pennington Senior Pastor, Temple Church ★ POW/MIA Ceremony ★

Mr. George Halyak Chairman, Vietnam Wall Committee ★ Colors Presentation ★

Marine Honor Guard MCAS Cherry Point

★ National Anthem ★

Marine Corps Band MCAS Cherry Point

★ Vietnam Veterans Day Remarks ★

Major General Karsten Heckl Commanding General, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing ★ Principal Address ★

Lt Col Oliver North, USMC (Ret.)

★ Salute to Vietnam Veterans ★

Marine Corps Band, MCAS Cherry Point ★ Benediction ★

Dr. Jim Pennington, Senior Pastor, Temple Church ★ TAPS ★

Marine Corps Band, MCAS Cherry Point ★ Ceremony Closure ★

March 25, 2020

Dear Friends: I congratulate everyone who was involv ed in bringing the Wall that Heals to New Bern this year. This is a wonderful opportunity for all the citizens in the New Bern area to see Vietnam Veterans Memorial which is locate this replica of the d in Washington, D.C. As I visit the wall there from time to time, I see how veterans and family members are moved by the solem n nature of this memorial. It is a fitting tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our nation, and who we must never forget . Thanks to the Committee and the volunt eers who worked tirelessly to bring the Wall to New Bern. I hope that many individuals will take advantage of the oppor tunity to view the wall, especially those who have not had the chance to see the original in Washington. Let this visit be a time to remember those who served during the Vietnam conflict and to offer thanks to all of our veterans and active duty service personnel for the sacrifi ce they make for the cause of freedom. Sincerely,

SENATOR

RICHARD BURR

Richard Burr United States Senator

SENATOR

THOM TILLIS T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

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THANKS

to our sponsors

PMS 5535

MIKE BASS, JOANNA CARR, KEVIN PAGE, DAN ROBERTS AND MIKE SPRAGUE

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T H E WA L L T H AT H E A L S

THANKS

CRAVEN COUNTY COMMISSIONER

to our sponsors

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