Moving Wall in place, open for visitors

Wayne Carter, foreground, of Shelbyville, and John Devitt, creator of The Moving Wall, attach the rails which hold the panels of the memorial. The Moving Wall, a scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, was placed at Riverwalk Park this morning and will remain there through Monday. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

The Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall is now on display at Riverwalk Park, on the Duck River behind Shelbyville Power, Water and Sewerage System on South Main Street.

The Moving Wall, which was put into place this morning after arriving in Shelbyville Wednesday night, is a scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Like the original, the Moving Wall bears the names of every American service member killed in Vietnam.

A candlelight vigil will be held beginning at 7:30 this evening, sponsored by the group Rolling Thunder, which honors prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action. Rolling Thunder is known as a motorcycle club, although it is also open to those who don't ride.

The vigil will last about an hour.

Official opening ceremonies will take place Saturday at 10 a.m. and will last about two hours. Guest speakers will include Rear Adm. (retired) Jerry Breast; Wartrace Mayor Don Gallagher; Col. (retired) J.C. Lilly; and Capt. (retired) Brent Lokey, as well as state legislators. The ceremony will include patriotic music and a three-volley salute.

The wall will remain on display until Monday afternoon, with 24-hour security.

Gene Williams of Shelbyville was the prime mover in bringing the display to Shelbyville. He coordinated support from numerous local businesses, agencies and individuals to make the display possible.

More information about the wall, and about Bedford County's Vietnam casualties, can be found in the special section which was published in Tuesday's Times-Gazette. The section may now be viewed online at t-g.com; click on the image of the front cover in the lower right column of our home page.