The Wall That Heals

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brittain Crolley
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
GOLDSBORO, N.C. --  A sea of red, white and blue stretched over Wayne Memorial Drive as thousands of patrons waved their flags to show their support. The roar of hundreds of escorting motorcyclists could be heard in the distance and the cheers from the crowd grew in anticipation.

The climax came when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall (VVMTW) arrived at the Wayne Community College campus in Goldsboro, N.C., April 16, 2013.

The exhibit traveled to Wayne County to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. The healing power the wall has brought to families throughout the nation has helped it earn the nickname "The Wall That Heals."

Since its dedication on Veterans Day in 1996, the traveling wall has visited more than 350 towns and cities and extended its message to millions.

"It's a chance to be able to show the names that are on there and show that freedom is not free," said Allan Pederson, base liaison coordinator for the USO. "Somebody has paid the price for it. There are individuals that have given their lives in support of their country and there are individuals that still are missing after all these years."

The wall is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and extends to nearly 250 feet wide. It is constructed of 24 powder-coated aluminum panels, each containing six columns of names, and is supported by an aluminum frame. The complete structure has more than 58,000 laser-etched names of Service members that gave their life in defense of their country.

Among the names on the wall are 45 natives of Wayne County and a total of 145 names from the six neighboring counties.

"I'm so lucky that my sons came back alive when so many others didn't," said Ruby Barker, a Goldsboro native who had six family members in the Vietnam War. "A lot of families are still hurting from everyone that died."

Airmen from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C. and the local community volunteered their time during the wall's visit to help the site managers, Bob and Brenda Dobek, with assembling and tearing down the memorial. They also helped watch the area during hours of darkness to ensure the solemnity of the grounds.

"We would not be able to do this without the help from our volunteers," said Bob Dobek. "We travel all over the country, but it's always this section where you can feel true patriotism from the people that come out."

The VVMTW left from the Wayne Community College campus April 22, 2013 to continue its journey to Middletown, KY and across the nation.

Despite its departure, "The Wall That Heals" left its spirit behind in Wayne County along with the message to remember those that sacrificed to ensure our freedom.