Published: August 29, 2008 06:12 pm      

Vietnam memorial coming to Whitewater SP, Sept. 4-8

The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall, which will be on free 24-hour display at Whitewater Memorial State Park in Liberty, Sept. 4-8, will be welcomed to the park during a somber procession at 9 a.m. Sept. 4.

The Department of Natural Resources property is at 14180 S. S.R. 101, Liberty.

Other special programs, all open to the public, will be held throughout the wall’s stay at the state park, during which all gate-entrance fees will be waived.

The honor of hosting the wall is particularly appropriate for Whitewater. Fayette, Union, Franklin, and Wayne counties originally purchased the land on which the state park sits to provide a place to honor veterans. Displaying the wall adds another chapter to the park’s history of events geared toward that purpose.

Members of the public wishing to attend the procession should arrive at the park before 9 a.m. and stand along the road inside the park as the memorial passes. The procession will go through the park to the beach area. Park officials ask that people not park or stand near the state highway.

The public is invited to watch at the end of the procession, as the wall is assembled by volunteer Vietnam veterans. That process is expected to be completed by noon.

Friday morning, educational stations geared toward teaching children about this living history will be set up. Close to 600 students in grades three through nine are expected. Other schools will visit Sept. 8.

Friday evening features another free ceremony, which will honor all POW/MIAs. Starting time for the 1 1/2 hour event is 7 p.m. The park will provide 150 folding chairs, first-come, first-served. Visitors should consider bringing their own chairs or blankets to sit on. Volunteers are still needed to help read the names of the POW/MIAs. If interested, call Rhonda Alvey at (765) 647-2657.

Each evening, taps will be played at dusk and candles will be lit to honor veterans who lost their lives in the war.

A large opening ceremony is scheduled for 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 6. Non-denominational religious services will be at noon Sept. 7 and 8. The wall will be disassembled at 3 p.m. Sept. 8. No closing ceremony will be held.

Visitors should park in Whitewater’s overflow parking lots and ride the free ADA-accessible free shuttle to the events. Handicapped parking also is available at the beach. The Union County Transportation Service is donating vans, drivers, and fuel for shuttle service, Sept. 4-6. No shuttle service is offered on Sept. 7 and 8.