Vietnam veterans' traveling wall in Charlotte area

A few devoted souls and veterans, clad in rain gear, silently set to work erecting the wall. The rain puddled and drenched the ground. A somber reflection upon some faces seemed to indicate an inward emotional connection, in some way. The Wall That Heals is in a weekend exhibition at the Frank Liske Park in Concord, North Carolina.

The half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. has traveled the nation since 1996. The wall graces the Charlotte community on the same day, March 30th, recognized by the U.S. Senate as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." Many cities adopted the Senate resolution in recognition of Vietnam Veterans.

Stu Ott of Charlotte served in the Army for six years. He was in Danang, Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. He says it would be nice if someone would say "thanks." Ott says, "I returned from Vietnam, by way of Fort Lewis, Washington. We were given a steak dinner, new military clothing and taken to the airport in Seattle. There wasn't anyone waiting to welcome us home. The only ones that were glad that I was home safe were my folks. Nobody else cared."

Category: Vietnam news