Senator Kathy Marchione sponsors The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall during its upcoming visit to Halfmoon Town Park June 2-6

May 19, 2016

Halfmoon, NY – In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I-Halfmoon), Chair of the Senate Local Government Committee, and member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, is sponsoring The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall when it visits the Halfmoon Town Park June 2-6. The Town of Halfmoon and the New York State Senate are partnering with Senator Marchione to sponsor The Moving Wall.

A half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall has toured the country for 30 years, affording millions of Americans the opportunity to personally experience this special, powerful and moving tribute to the nation’s fallen Vietnam War veterans.

The hours for The Moving Wall when it comes to the Halfmoon Town Park – located at 162 Route 236, Halfmoon, NY 12065 – Thursday, June 2, through Monday, June 6, are:

Thursday, June 2: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.;
Friday, June 3: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
Saturday, June 4: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
Sunday, June 5: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and
Monday, June 6: 7 a.m. to noon.

For the duration of The Moving Wall’s visit June 2-6, every morning a military veteran bugler will begin the day’s commemoration, and a bagpiper will play every night to close. The Moving Wall Opening Ceremony is Thursday, June 2, at 2 p.m., and the Closing Ceremony is Monday, June 6, at 11 a.m. Both ceremonies are open to the public, as is the memorial during the above stated hours.

“The Moving Wall is a powerful memorial to America’s fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. I encourage everyone to visit The Moving Wall when it comes to the Halfmoon Town Park June 2 through June 6. Join me in reflecting on the heroes who gave everything. Together, we will remember their names and honor their service and sacrifice,” Senator Marchione said.

The Moving Wall’s official website – themovingwall.org – shares the history of The Moving Wall having originated when John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Devitt felt the positive power of “The Wall” and vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. John Devitt, 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.

During its upcoming visit to the Halfmoon Town Park June 2-6, The Moving Wall will feature hundreds of local volunteers reading aloud the names of the Vietnam War’s fallen. Volunteer readers will read in increments with a duration of approximately 15 minutes for each volunteer. Approximately 300 volunteers are taking part in this important community effort that honors America's Vietnam Veterans.

As noted by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 2.7 million American men and women served in Vietnam. During the war, over 58,000 U.S. military members lost their lives and 153,000 were wounded. There were 766 Prisoners of War of which 114 died in captivity. In addition, as noted on VAntage Point, the official Blog of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, over the course of the Vietnam War more than 700 American servicemen and civilians were captured and held in Prisoner of War camps in Hanoi, the surrounding region and in South Vietnam. More than 1,600 servicemen, civilians and women are still considered Missing in Action.

“Halfmoon proudly recognizes America’s Vietnam War veterans and we’re deeply honored to sponsor The Moving Wall when it comes to our Town Park June 2-6. The entire Town Board and I thank Senator Marchione for her partnership in sponsoring this Memorial, for selecting Halfmoon as the community to hold this special tribute and, most importantly, for always making our veterans a top priority,” said Halfmoon Town Supervisor Kevin Tollisen (R,C,I-Halfmoon).

“Having served during the Vietnam War – and continuing to serve my fellow veterans of Vietnam and all wars – I know firsthand the critical importance of recognizing the incredible sacrifice our Vietnam War veterans made. On behalf of Vietnam Veterans, I want to thank Senator Marchione for caring enough about us to bring The Moving Wall to the Capital Region this June. It is my hope that families from across the region will visit The Moving Wall and help commemorate the lives and service of the courageous members of our military who made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Gary Flaherty, Command Sergeant Major and Captain, United States Army, retired. Mr. Flaherty also serves as Director of Veteran’s Services for Columbia County and was Senator Marchione’s 2014 inductee to the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame.

As the sponsor community for The Moving Wall, the Town of Halfmoon is providing a great deal of logistical, personnel, material support and direct assistance for the memorial, reflecting the Town’s deep commitment to recognizing America’s veterans.

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