Hundreds Attend the Moving Wall Opening Ceremony in Bessemer

BESSEMER, MI - Thursday, July 03, 2008 - A substantial crowd gathered for the opening ceremonies of the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall Memorial at E. J. Oas Field behind the Washington Elementary School in Bessemer today. The Moving Wall is part of Bessemer's 4th of July week-long Blast.

"The Moving Wall" is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than twenty years. When John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication in Washington, he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington.

John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. Two structures of The Moving Wall now travel the USA from April through November, spending about a week at each site.

The Moving Wall will be in Bessemer from July 03 through July 07, 2008.