Charlie Breitrose
A giant American Flag flies over the moving Vietnam Ware Memorial at Gore Place.
Four decades after the end of the Vietnam War, tribute was paid to those killed in Southeast Asia and their families during the opening ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall at Gore Place, Thursday night.
Hundreds of veterans, family members and patriotic residents turned out for the ceremony at the estate that straddles the Watertown-Waltham line. The ceremony celebrated the visit of the half-size replica of the Vietnam Wall.
For many this was the type of honor they felt the Vietnam era veterans deserved at the time. More than 9 million people served during the Vietnam Era, 2.7 million served in country, and more than 58,000 were killed or are missing in action. Their names cover the solemn black granite memorial in Washington, D.C. dedicated in 1982, said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Anthony Schiavi, who spoke during the ceremony.
“Never Forget,” Schiavi said. “They demand it of all of us when those words leave our lips. They cannot be just words or hollow. We really must never forget. They have shown this through their sacrifices for a country they believe is worth dying for.”
Charlie Breitrose
A man and his son look at names on the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall visiting at Gore Place this week.
The wall has the name of nine Watertown servicemen killed in the war:
James Patrick Casey
Paul James Gorman
Frederick E. Harrington Jr.
John Robert Johnson
John Herbert Moreno
Richard Stephen Moxley
William Kenneth Regan
John Joseph Sullivan
Paul Joseph Sullivan
The information tent has their names and locations where their name is on the wall. The are computers to look up the names of others who are on the wall.
Names continue to be added to the wall. Charles Sabatier was added to the wall after he died in 2009 from injuries that left him paralyzed when he was shot trying to save a wounded comrade. His wife, Peggy Griffin, remembered him Thursday. She is president of the Boston Chapter of the Gold Star Wives – a group of spouses of those who died from injuries suffered while serving in the U.S. military, remembered her husband.
Charlie Breitrose
Honor guards fly the colors during the opening ceremony for the Moving Wall’s visit to Gore Place.
The respect and honor that Vietnam veterans now receive has not always been there, Griffin said.
“It’s heartening to see the changing view, finally after 50 years have passed,” Griffin said.
The ceremony was largely focused on Waltham veterans and their families, because Waltham Veterans groups petitioned to have the wall come to town.
Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy remembered how the one Waltham resident after another was killed in Vietnam. And those who came home did not have an easy time.
“Those that served in ‘Nam fought in an unpopular war,” McCarthy said. “They didn’t come home to a parade. They were physically and emotionally scarred and addicted when they came home. No wonder they didn’t talk about the hellhole they served in.”
Charlie Breitrose
More than 58,000 names are on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. A half-size replica memorial is at Gore Place through Aug. 15.
The wall at Gore Place travels the country and this is the second time it has been at Gore Place. The half-size replica first visited in 2005. It will be on display through Aug. 15, and is open 24 hours a day.
There will be more ceremonies to honor other groups involved in the war.
Friday, Aug. 12 @ 7 p.m. – Dedicated to MIAs, POWs and Their Families
Saturday, Aug. 13 @ 2 p.m. – In Honor of All Vietnam Veterans
Sunday, Aug. 14 @ 2 p.m. – In Honor of Our Active Duty Military (The Watertown Police and Fire honor guards will take part in this ceremony)
Gore Place is located at 52 Gore St. in Waltham, but the Moving Wall is located near the Grove Street entrance.