“The injustice suffered by Vietnam veterans can never be remedied. Those who served in Vietnam did not start the war…they lived up to the code: duty, honor, country. No belated apology will erase the contumely the survivors experienced. But at least we are now well along in providing deserved tribute to those who did not survive…this will be the most moving war memorial ever erected.”

These words, written by James Kilpatrick in his 1981 Washington Post article, “Finally, We Honor the Vietnam Dead,” honor the symbolic healing powers of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, erected in Washington, D.C., in March of 1982. This September, what may very well be the most moving mobile war memorial ever crafted – The Wall That Heals – will be gracing the Manchester community at Charter Oak Park.

The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which, alongside the mobile Education Center, honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who “made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam,” including 14 Manchester residents who died in the Vietnam War.

The Wall That Heals will arrive in Downtown Manchester with an escort of over 150 motorcycles on Tuesday, September 17, at approximately 12:00 PM. The escort will lead directly to the Wall at Charter Oak Park, located at 56 Charter Oak Street, Manchester, which will be open to the public for viewing from Wednesday, September 19th at 2:00 PM through Sunday, September 22nd. The Wall is open to the general public 24-hours daily and will be staffed by volunteers starting on the 19th.

The current Wall That Heals schedule of events includes:

• Tuesday, September 17th Arrival Escort on Main Street (12:00 PM)

• Wednesday, September 18th Wall opens to public (2:00 PM)

• Thursday, September 19th Opening Ceremony (11:00 AM)

• Friday, September 20th POW/MIA Ceremony (6:00 PM)

• Saturday, September 21st Agent Orange Ceremony (6:00 PM)

• Sunday, September 22nd Closing Ceremony (1:00 PM)

The 2024 Wall That Heals is hosted by Manchester’s Elks Lodge 1893 and its 501(c)(3) charity partner, the Connecticut Veterans Day Race Inc. Additional funding & event support has been provided by the Town of Manchester.

If you would like to escort, donate, or volunteer for a four-hour shift, please visit manchesterelks.org/twth2024 to sign up. If you are a restaurant and would like to provide food or other supplies for a shift of 4-8 volunteers, please contact Lynn Sottile at [email protected] or (860)649-3487.

Names, Faces and Stories

The United States began its involvement in the Vietnam War on August 6th, 1964, and across its over 11-year campaign, the United States had over 2.5 million men and women serve its country, ultimately leading to over 58,000 military casualties, including 40,934 who were killed in action, according to the National Archives’ reporting on the Vietnam War. In the decades that followed, roughly 300,000 veterans have died from Agent Orange, with thousands more veterans committing suicide or suffering from debilitating PTSD.

To many, this tragic history is destined to be forgotten or overlooked. It is something many saw when flipping through a textbook in high school or caught in a PBS documentary, never learning the human stories or casualties, but rather as initially presented to them – as a compilation of historical facts.

Yet for Lynn Sottile, Owner and Graphic Designer for Schultz Design and a key figure on the planning team for the Wall That Heals, this history can not and will not ever be forgotten. The Wall serves as a physical reminder of our Vietnam veterans, Sottile said, honoring our country’s history and those whose lives were cut far, far too short.

“They have all given up a lifetime,” Sottile said. “Even those that survived had their life irreversibly changed. It is our collective duty to ensure that we don’t forget the sacrifice that countless men and women have made in the name of our country.”

While large scale projects such as the Wall That Heals are of utmost importance, no one project or event can convey the history and scope of any war, let alone the Vietnam War; additional, long term initiatives are necessary as well. Initiatives such as the Main Street Veterans Banner program aim to honor our local community members who have served, ensuring that not only is their story illuminated, but so that Manchester’s history can also be properly told.

The Veterans Banner program showcases 30 veterans, along with project sponsors, throughout Manchester’s Main Street from Memorial Day through Veterans Day each year. Each banner includes the name, photograph and service years for each veteran, immortalizing their service to their community and country. For more information on the program or to submit a honoree or sponsorship form, please email [email protected].

Those Stories Left Untold

For Manchester resident and sports pioneer Chickey Barrera, the Wall That Heals not only honors those soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice, but also reflects upon those whose name, rank and story aren’t included on the Wall or other similar Vietnam memorials.

Barrera, whose late husband, Chuck, served in the United States Navy, said that her husband’s return from war was emblematic of many others upon their return to the States; he spoke little of his service overseas and, ultimately, left most of his story untold. Countless Vietnam veterans were subjected to vitriol and condemnation upon their return stateside due to the vast political and social implications of the war, and while attitudes towards Vietnam veterans themselves  have improved in the years since, many never had the chance to share their story, Barrera said.

“Many veterans don’t talk about their service. I just hope that people open up their eyes to what [those who served] had to endure,” Barrera said. “The Vietnam War signified a dark period in our country’s history, so I hope that the [Wall] can open some people up.”

To Barrera, the Wall That Heals is also a painful reminder of the hundreds of thousands of veterans not included on the wall itself. While the Wall includes the names of those who died in service during the Vietnam War, as well as those who are missing in action, it does not include those who have died as a result of the war – including Barrera’s beloved, Chuck. For those not immortalized on the wall, their stories must be memorialized elsewhere – in our records, in our communities, and in our memories.

And The Beat Goes On

For Sgt. James Amaro, serving those who have served their country has become, fundamentally, a 24/7 commitment. In addition to being an Iraq War (2007-2009) veteran,  Amaro currently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a Rating Veteran Service Representative, and he is also the Chairman of the Town of Manchester’s Veterans Advisory Committee. The Wall That Heals represents a much needed time of reflection, Amaro said, a time of healing that hopefully can cross generational lines and create a truly united community, one that did not exist for those when they initially returned from service in Vietnam.

“The Wall That Heals is particularly impressive as it breaks down barriers that would otherwise prevent individuals from viewing the Vietnam Memorial, whether it be due to a lack of mobility, financial costs, or any other preventative measures. What I hope the community takes away from the Wall That Heals is a profound sense of connection and understanding,” Amaro said. “This traveling exhibit allows individuals to engage with a pivotal part of our nation’s history, bringing the memory and honor of the Vietnam veterans closer to home. It fosters reflection, education, and healing, offering a space for all community members to come together, share stories, and acknowledge the sacrifices made by our veterans. I hope it inspires greater appreciation and support for all who have served.”

While the Wall That Heals offers the chance for a more centralized, community-driven time of reflection, there are countless individuals in the local community working tirelessly to ensure that support is available for those in need year-round. The Veterans Advisory Committee and Elks Lodge, among other community organizations, offer a variety of support channels for veterans and their families, connecting those in need with crucial resources and guidance.

“The role of the Veterans Advisory Committee is to enhance the Town of Manchester’s efforts to provide its veterans with support, services, and opportunities consistent with Connecticut General Statutes, as well as guiding and pointing veterans to resources they may need but may not know about,” Amaro said. “The Manchester Veterans Advisory Committee is a great starting point for veterans seeking assistance, resources, or guidance. Among the outstanding veteran organizations in Manchester is the Manchester Elks Lodge #1893, which is sponsoring the Wall That Heals and consistently supports the local veteran community. Other notable veteran organizations and groups in Manchester include the VFW, DAV, American Legion, Army Navy Club, and the Manchester Veterans Coffee House Task Force.”

This fall, those of all ages, abilities and backgrounds are invited to the Wall That Heals, housed at Charter Oak Park from September 18-22. The Wall That Heals seeks to honor those soldiers who died in the name of our country, challenge barriers that have prevented broader education of our history, and help to illustrate the rich, complex tapestry of the country that we all call home.