Eastside Memorial Park to host The Moving Wall

The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, will be displayed at Eastside Memorial Park (eastsidememorialpark.com) over Memorial Day weekend.

The Moving Wall has been traveling throughout the nation since 1984, and this year’s display marks the second time Eastside Memorial Park has sponsored the wall’s visit to the Carson Valley.

 “By bringing this monument to Minden, EMP seeks to honor veterans and facilitate a healing experience for the friends and families of those who died or are missing in Vietnam. The Moving Wall’s visit will provide a remembrance site for community members who have not been able to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Its local presence will also create the opportunity to educate younger generations about the war and its impact on our nation.”

Preparations for the wall’s arrival are underway, and the community is invited to get involved through a number of volunteer opportunities before, during, and after the installation. In addition to setup and takedown of the wall, volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• Name Locator: provide visitors with the panel location for a specific name.

• Escort: guide visitors to specific wall panels; provide materials and assistance (if needed) for name rubbings.

• Rover: roam the grounds and answer questions about the wall’s history; help maintain an environment of reverence and regard at the display.

• Security: ensure safety of the wall and its visitors, 24 hours per day throughout the duration of the installation.

The Moving Wall will be escorted from the Carson Valley Inn to Eastside Memorial 9 a.m. May 23. All are welcome, including those with military vehicles who’d like to join the procession. Building of the wall commences at 10 a.m., which requires placing and securing panels on a set foundation.

Plans for the May 24 opening ceremony at 10 a.m. include a flyover, Nighthawk helicopter static display and guest speakers.

On May 26, the community is invited to an evening barbecue followed by a candlelight vigil. Blankets and chairs are encouraged.

Closing ceremonies take place 7 p.m. Memorial Day. The wall will remain open through the night and disassembly begins at 7 a.m. May 28.

When planning for the initial display in 2018, Park owner Nadia Sandoval reached out to numerous local veteran organizations and formed a committee to help bring the many different aspects of the installation together. Sandoval credits those volunteers with making the event “as amazing as it was the last time.”

Conversations shared with Vietnam era veterans during that first planning process had a profound impact on Sandoval. Listening to veterans’ stories of service and their experiences after returning home from the war provided a deeper understanding of what it means to serve our country and appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy.

After the 2018 display concluded, The Moving Wall organizers expressed their regard for the number of people and different organizations that came together in support of the event and said they’d be happy to return one day.

Reflecting on that spirit of collaboration, Sandoval said, “That’s a testament to the residents of Northern Nevada.”

The Carson Valley Inn will provide lodging for The Moving Wall’s drivers over Memorial Day weekend. Additional sponsorships are needed to help with the cost of the display, print materials, lighting and staging, and other expenses.

Sponsorship information and volunteer registration forms are available on “The Vietnam Moving Wall” event page at eastsidememorialpark.com.

Eastside Memorial Park is located at 1600 Buckeye Road in Minden. For more information, contact Sandoval at 310-991-8694 or via email at nadia@eastsidememorialpark.com.

Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.