The Moving Wall is Arriving at County College of Morris

Published on July 06, 2022

Paying Tribute to Vietnam Veterans and Those Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. will arrive at the County College of Morris tomorrow, July 7, behind a motorcade led by Warriors Watch Riders as the region pays tribute to Vietnam veterans and those who the made the ultimate sacrifice.

The Wall is anticipated to land at about 11 a.m. on CCM’s campus at 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, near Parking Lot 1, where it will be assembled by volunteers and remain open to visitors, starting at 3 p.m. tomorrow through July 11.  Several ceremonies also are planned over the five days.

The wall is being brought to the campus by VFW Post 7333 of Randolph.

The ceremonies begin Friday, July 8, at 11 a.m. with proclamations from Randolph Township and federal representatives.

The Grand Opening takes place Saturday, July 9, starting at 2 p.m., beginning with a prayer led by Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Paterson, Father Michael Parisi, a retired Captain of the US Navy Chaplain Corps.  The opening also will include the reading of proclamations from Morris County and state representatives. There also will be a tribute to Gold Star families and a wreath laying ceremony.

On Sunday, July 10, the ceremony starts at 2 p.m. and will include a prayer from Rabbi Asher Herson from the Chabad Center of Northwestern New Jersey and the singing of God Bless America.

July 8 through July 10 also will feature rifle salutes and then the playing of Taps each evening at 8 p.m. The closing ceremony takes place Monday, July 11, starting at 11 a.m. with a prayer from Reverend Timothy Clarkson from Union Hill Presbyterian Church in Denville, the Retiring of Colors and the collection of wreaths and any mementos left at the wall.

“Thanks to the efforts of State Senator Anthony Bucco and VFW members like Emerson Crooks and Jack Sassaman and so many other supporters, we will be able to experience the Vietnam Wall and honor our fallen service members,” said Bill Menzel from VFW Post 7333, the project coordinator. “Our goal is to help bring healing to veterans, families and friends who suffered through this divisive conflict. The Moving Wall additionally is intended to educate youth about the Vietnam War and its impact on the nation and veterans.” A listing of those supporting the project can be found in the Program Booklet.

“We are honored to have been asked to host The Moving Wall at CCM to recognize all veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and to teach the next generation about the impact and lessons learned as a result of this time in our nation’s history,” said CCM President Anthony J. Iacono.

Also supporting the efforts to bring the wall to the college are the Morris County Board of County Commissioners.

“All Morris County residents should take advantage of this unique opportunity to see the traveling version of the Vietnam wall. I would especially urge parents to bring their children, and high school and college students to come and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, as well as a big thank you to our Vietnam veterans,” said Deputy Director John Krickus of the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, a Marine Corps veteran.

There are 58,281 names listed on the Vietnam Memorial and The Moving Wall. The names of the fallen are arranged in the order in which they lost their lives. The largest age group – 33,103 – were 18 years old. There are 1,563 names from New Jersey and 69 from Morris County.

Photo:

The Moving Wall on display in Flemington, N.J. in 2000.