Moving Wall exhibit provided opportunity to honor heroes

Respect was in abundance when the Moving Wall exhibit came to the Bartholomew County 4-H Fairgrounds from July 27-31

The free display, a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., gave the public plenty of opportunities to visit around the clock and honor fallen and aging veterans from that war.

Organizers said the exhibit received more than 90,000 visits.

Visitors showed reverence when looking at the names inscribed on the black panels of the wall, talking in no more than hushed tones, pausing silently to reflect and making rubbings of the names of loved ones to preserve their memory.

Daily ceremonies that featured guest speakers, prayers and the playing of Taps honored the fallen veterans in a dignified fashion.

A display of photos and information inside one of the fairgrounds buildings of fallen Hoosier soldiers from recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan served as a reminder of the ongoing sacrifice many men and women make to protect the United States and its freedoms.

American Legion Post 24 in Columbus is to be commended for taking the lead on raising the money needed to bring the Moving Wall to Columbus for the first time since 2002. However, the many other volunteers who helped bring, set up and maintain the exhibit during its stay; the residents who warmly greeted its arrival by lining downtown Columbus streets; and those who visited the exhibit are to be commended, too.

Their efforts brought honor to the exhibit and to those who served and fell in the Vietnam War, and made the opportunity for area residents to pay their respects even more special.