The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall

WARSAW — The Warsaw Public Arts Commission, along with the Warsaw Community Development Corporation and sponsors, will present the Vietnam Memorial Wall Replica through Sunday, June 3. The largest traveling Vietnam wall replica will be at Central Park throughout the weekend. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall opening ceremony took place at the Glover Pavilion in Central Park Thursday, May 31.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and Kosciusko Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light spoke at the event. Warsaw Police Department Sergeant Brad Keller sang the National Anthem, with ROTC Cadet Alyson Owens leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Members of the Warsaw JROTC presented the colors, and Kosciusko County Veteran Affairs Officer Richard Maron led the invocation. The featured speaker for the ceremony was Vietnam Veteran and Salvation Army Community Ministries Director Ken Locke. 

Light choked up during her speech, saying, “Certainly some of the most beautiful and stirring memorials in our country and around the world are memorials to the fallen soldier – and they are works of art.”

Locke spoke about the difference in the way returning Vietnam veterans were treated. When American soldiers returned home from World War II in 1945, they were greeted as heroes, with cities and towns holding parades to honor the returning veterans and recognize the sacrifices they had made. The homecoming was quite different for many Vietnam veterans. Rather than victory parades or welcome home rallies, most Vietnam veterans returned to a society that seemed to view them with distrust and anger.

“Our government is accountable for its decisions to send our young men and women into battle, but our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines should never be held in contempt for their service when our nation calls,” Locke stated. “Vietnam veterans are the best America has to offer. A national treasure of duty, honor and country, along with all veterans in our history. I know some of you were not treated fairly when you came home and for that I’m sorry, but today is a different day.”

“We need to honor and remember by challenging ourselves to live our lives mindful of their service,” Locke continued. “Freedom is not free.”  

June’s First Friday event will honor all of the county’s military men and women who served during the Vietnam era. On Friday, June 1, a veterans appreciation ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Kosciusko Honor & Remember will recognize all of the county’s military men and women who served during the Vietnam Era. The Roll Call will be held in downtown Warsaw at the corner of Buffalo and Lake streets. Country music artist Jason Michael Carroll will perform a thank you concert following the event. 

From 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday, June 2, veterans and their families will be able to enjoy free breakfast, as well as free lunch from noon to 2 p.m. These meals will be a ticketed event for veterans honored in the ceremonies. 

A memorial service for those who have passed will be held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, June 3.

Those who attend the events are encouraged to enjoy the patriotic art display at the Warsaw Alley and the Vietnam memories display at the Historical Society, Old Jail Museum.