The "Wall That Heals" in Kinston this weekend | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's Note: This article originally appeared in the Beaufort Observer.

    I had the opportunity Thursday to participate in the opening ceremony, in Kinston NC, of the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall, the "Wall That Heals". This wall is a half scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. A very good crowd enjoyed the B-52 flyover performed by Capt. Lohmeyer and his crew from the 2nd Bomb Wing stationed at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport La; the Bagpiper, Explorer Post Scouts posting the Colors and listened to the reading of the names of local men that appear on the Wall. They also listened to Col. Patricia Blassie, USAF, as she recounted her experiences of having her brother buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington Cemetery before he was identified and re interred in his hometown cemetery at Jefferson Barracks Missouri. This identification process was initiated by Kinston native and Vietnam vet Ted Sampley. Col. Blassie talked about the despair, confusion, and finally vindication and closure that the family experienced during the long evolved process. The ceremonies concluded with a 21 gun salute by the Seymour Johnson AFB Honor Guard followed by a bugler playing Taps.
The traveling replica of the Vietnam War Memorial when it visited Veteran's Park in Washington, North Carolina on April 22, 2010.     photo by Stan Deatherage

    Last night in the mist and cool air a crowd estimated at about 200 stood or sat under umbrellas and watched the Kinston Fire Dept Color Guard as they posted the Colors, and listened to Capt. Eugene "Red" McDaniel USN Ret; a Kinston native, who was shot down over N. Vietnam in his A-6 Intruder in 1967 and spent 6 years as a POW. He experienced severe torture during this time for his participation in an attempted prison escape. He related in pretty good detail the events of his shoot down, his injuries he suffered during the bailout and his subsequent capture and captivity. He has also had the opportunity since his retirement from the Navy in 1983 to become aware of how the US government has mislead the country regarding the abandonment of roughly 1000 servicemen still unaccounted for from that conflict. He stated that "This wall needs to stand as a monument not only to those whose names are on the wall but to those who are still unaccounted for.

    The ceremony was completed with a reading of the names of the 49 individuals from NC who are still listed as MIA (Missing in Action). As each name was read a candle was lit and place in front of the podium. A MIA formal ceremony called the Table of Remembrance was performed by CMS David L. Hamel USAF Ret; and Amazing Grace was played by bagpiper Sgt. 1st Class Robert J. White, USA Ret. as he trooped the wall.

    The Wall will remain on display in Emma Webb Park through Sat and Sun before it moves on to its next destination. Admission is free and it is open 24hrs a day.
Go Back


Leave a Guest Comment

Your Name or Alias
Your Email Address ( your email address will not be published)
Enter Your Comment ( no code or urls allowed, text only please )




Potash Corp tells Commissioners it does not now know what its plans are for sulfur processing News and Information, The Region Fountain: A tangible example of Beaufort County's failed economic development program


HbAD0

Latest The Region

Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with Don Flow, Immediate Past Chair of the Golden LEAF Foundation Board of Directors via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations.
At the December Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $5,540,432 in funding for 50 projects through the Food Distribution Assistance Program.
At the December Board meeting, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $650,000 to support two projects through the Open Grants Program and $3,080,000 to support five projects through the SITE Program.
Members of the North Carolina Rural Health Association (NCRHA) visited Washington, D.C., on Feb. 14, 2024, to meet with elected officials and advocate for policies to improve access to care in rural areas.
Today, the Golden LEAF Board of Directors awarded $650,000 to support two projects through the Open Grants Program and $3,080,000 to support five projects through the SITE Program.
WASHINGTON, N.C. –– The Cherry Run Solid Waste Collection Site, located at 2860 Cherry Run Road, Washington, NC 27889, will temporarily close for repairs on Monday, Nov. 20
The state Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case involving a property-rights dispute over a sewer line in Apex. The town requested a review from the high court in June 2021.
Beaufort County Department of Social Services is making final preparations for the launch of North Carolina’s Medicaid Expansion on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023.

HbAD1

Triangle Business Journal (TBJ) has named State Employees’ Credit Union (SECU) Foundation a recipient of its 2023 Corporate Philanthropy Award.
Guilford County is considering an additional 1% Prepared Food and Beverage Tax, with the support of Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan.
Recently, Golden LEAF President, Chief Executive Officer Scott T. Hamilton sat down with Dr. Garey Fox, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at NC State University via Zoom and filmed an episode of Critical Conversations.
There were numerous local professional and educational opportunities showcased on Wednesday at the Beaufort County Job and Resource Fair.
The Chocowinity Solid Waste Collection Site, located at 164 Gray Road, Chocowinity, N.C. 27817, will temporarily close for repairs on Monday, Oct. 30. The site will remain closed for approximately four weeks.
The US Supreme Court will not take the case of Virginia-based owners of a Dare County beach home who challenged the county's COVID-related shutdown in 2020.
The North Carolina State Fair is set for the Raleigh state fairgrounds from October 12-22, 2023
Discover the real cost of living in North Carolina for renters. Explore housing expenses, utilities, and budgeting tips.
The Beaufort County Department of Social Services Board is pleased to announce that Deputy Director Lori Leggett has been chosen as the next Beaufort County DSS Director effective Jan. 1, 2024.

HbAD2

 
Back to Top