Vietnam memorial replica is coming to Elkhorn

Jon Reichmuth expects a lot of people will be in Elkhorn between Thursday and June 22.

That’s when The Moving Wall is coming to town.

The wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. The replica has been touring the country for more than 20 years.

In June, it will be on the Reichmuth Funeral Home property at 21901 W. Maple Road. It will arrive early to mid-morning that Thursday, escorted by The Patriot Guard, a group of motorcycle riders - many of whom are veterans.

Volunteers will erect the wall, which will be staffed 24 hours a day until it’s taken down.

An opening ceremony is planned for Thursday and another ceremony, including speakers and special music, is set for 2 p.m. June 22. The names of all 395 Nebraska casualties will be read nightly at 8 p.m. with Taps to follow.

Veterans groups from Valley, King Lake, Elkhorn, Bennington and Yutan and their auxiliaries are hosting the wall.

The Moving Wall came about after John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication of "The Wall" in Washington, D.C.

Devitt was determined to share the experience with those who didn’t have the opportunity to go to Washington, information on www.themovingwall.org stated.

He, along with 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 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the United States from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

Reichmuth said the purpose for bringing the wall to Elkhorn is twofold.

"It’s a way of paying respect to the veterans who came home and to those who didn’t," he said. "When the veterans came home they were poorly treated. People were unhappy with government policies with the war and they took it out on the soldiers.

"This gives a chance to shed a new light on the men and women who were involved."

Bringing the wall to Elkhorn also gives area residents - who may never get to Washington, D.C., to see The Wall - a special opportunity.

The Moving Wall also provides an educational opportunity for area youth.

"We think there’s a large group of younger people who don’t know much about the Vietnam War and so it’s an educational opportunity," he said. "One of the first things we did was we contacted the superintendents of local schools and encouraged them to increase their spring education on Vietnam so kids who came out would have a little background or some interest in coming out."

Reichmuth isn’t certain how many people will come to see the replica. Other communities have had 8,000 to 11,000 people during the five-day period.

"Many times, the smaller towns draw better than bigger sites," he said.

So far, The Moving Wall has been in Omaha, Scribner, Hebron and Verdigre.

For now, Reichmuth is busy organizing the event.

"It’s turned into quite a project," he said. "We’re in the mode of trying to make sure everything is ready. We’ve reached out to local VFWs, American Legions and Vietnam Veterans groups."