Due to the Coronavirus circumstances in our country, at last night’s meeting, Post 16 has decided to postpone having the “Vietnam Moving Wall” to Walsenburg, CO until next year. The financial investment is significant and it was our belief that many people may not be traveling in June, in which The Memorial would not receive the attendance it deserves.
We will not have new 2021 dates until the end of the year at which time Post 16 will re-announce the plans concerning “The Wall”. I look forward to having the 2021 dates by the end of the year. Concerning the donations that have been made, refunds will be made upon request to Dave Rogers, Adjutant, PO Box 104, Walsenburg, CO 81089. phone; 719 738 9965. Donors can also choose to let the donation remain in place.
Cathy, will you please forward this to those that you told about The Memorial.
Sorry for the inconvenience, but this Corona thing is really causing issues around the country.
In the meantime be healthy and well.
Thanks for your help.
William R Boeck
3022 Comanche Drive
Walsenburg, CO 81089
719-738-2820
email ; bill_boeck41@msn.com
“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that these people may know that You are the Lord God and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 1 Kings 18:37
Sponsoring the bringing of “The Moving Vietnam Wall” Since 1984, the traveling half-size replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial has been touring the country for 30 plus years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of “The Wall.” He vowed to share that experience with those that did not have the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.
The Moving Wall is owned by Vietnam Combat Veterans Ltd. based in White Pine, MI.
The American Legion, as the contractor, is responsible for all transportation costs, including
housing the driver, setup/takedown and any and all ancillary costs associated with the display of
The Moving Wall while in Walsenburg, (porta-potties/water/security/location/framework, etc)
THE WALL IS SCHEDULED FOR WALSENBURG ON JUNE 18-22, 2020
Located at the Spanish Peaks Regional Hospital & Colorado State Veterans Home 23500 U.S. Hwy. 160, Walsenburg, CO Conservative estimates from the Vietnam Combat Veterans and others who have sponsored the Moving Wall previously place these costs from $10,000—$15,000, or more. This is why we are asking for your assistance. Any amount you can afford would be appreciated and 100% of the funds will be utilized on the Wall Project. Your company name and or individual name will be placed on prominent display near the Wall as a Donor. The American Legion Post 16 is a 501(c) 19 Veterans Non-Profit Corporation, assigned I.D. number 20171140516 by the Secretary of State Colorado for tax purposes. If for any reason, The American Legion cannot bring the Moving Wall project to fruition, we pledge to return any donation contributed by you or your company. Accounting records will be kept on each donation and are available to the Public.
Post 16 Officers
Commander: Gary Baldwin
719-738-2801, glbceb@gmail.com
Sr. Vice Commander: Brian Chiquette
719-742-3003, bchiquette@gmail.com
Jr. Vice Commander: Keith Hauber
816-277-4833, khauber@sbcglobal.net
*Adjutant: David Rogers
719-738-9965, david51@centrylink.net
Chaplain: John Stroh
719-738-1732, jfstroh@msn.com
Historian: Faye Stroh
719-738-1732, jfstroh@msn.com
Sergeant at Arms: Faye Stroh
719-738-1732, jfstroh@msn.com
* If you have questions, call Dave
Rogers at 719-738-9965
The American Legion – Mission
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization committed to mentoring youth and sponsorship of wholesome programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans. Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs, educating young people about the importance of sportsmanship, citizenship, and fitness. The Operation Comfort Warriors program supports recovering wounded warriors and their families, providing them with “comfort items” and the kind of support that makes a hospital feel a little bit more like home. The Legion also raises millions of dollars in donations at the local, state and national levels to help veterans and their families during times of need and to provide college scholarship opportunities. The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-forprofit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvement in the legislation process from local districts to Capitol Hill. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to community, state, and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands behind the issues most important to the nation’s veterans community, backed by resolutions passed by volunteer leadership. The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation, and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
Excerpts from
“I came to see my son’s name” from an article written
by Jim Schueckler
“Veterans came to see the names of their buddies. Most of them were eager to tell me
about their friend or how he died. Many remembered the day in great detail and spoke of what’s called survivor guilt. “He went out on patrol in my place that day.” Or “If I hadn’t been away on R & R (rest and recuperation), he wouldn’t be dead.” Others were bothered that they couldn’t remember much about their friend because they had tried to “block it out” for so many years. Another the man said, “I lost a few good friends while I was there (Vietnam), but I don’t want to find just their names, because I feel the same about all 58,000 of these names.” “Many people came to the Wall in the privacy or serenity of darkness. Our security men reported that there were only a few minutes each night that the Wall had no callers at all. One visitor spent several hours in the middle of the night standing in front of a certain panel. Whenever anyone came close, he would move away. When alone again, he would move back to that panel to continue his silent vigil. Still, others came in the darkness before dawn to watch the break of a new day over the Wall. “ “To other visitors, the names were not as personal, but still were significant: “I didn’t know him, but I remember how it shocked the town when he died.”, “I just wanted to pay my respects.”, “I didn’t know any of them, thank God.”, “I came to show support for the vets who came back.”, or “My son went to Vietnam, but he came back OK.”
