A DOZEN OF US GATHERED late Wednesday afternoon in my front yard to honor those who served and those who died in the Vietnam War.
As we waited for the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to arrive from Owatonna, the adults chatted. And some of the kids chalked American flags onto the sidewalk fronting my Willow Street property.
Across the street a woman waits for the processional to begin.
Three American flags, spaced evenly along the boulevard, lifted occasionally in the breeze on a stunning August day here in southeastern Minnesota.
Leading the way…
The Wall processional presented a great opportunity to honor these veterans. How well I remember the protests of decades earlier, the unrest and open hostilities expressed toward Vietnam vets. On this day in my community, in my neighborhood, in my yard, we gave them the respect they deserved. Whether or not you agree with the war matters not. Respect matters.
I saw honor in the lengthy lines of bikes, cars and other vehicles, in the waves, the American flags…
There’s something deeply moving about participating in an event like this. I can only imagine the emotions felt by the Vietnam veterans who today—from Owatonna to Medford to Faribault and in between—witnessed a warm welcome home.
The Traveling Wall arrives in a trailer near the end of the processional.
Volunteers will be setting up the wall on Thursday morning at the fairgrounds.
The trailer and accompanying vehicles continue north on Willow Street.
My friend’s teenage daughter chalks a message of thanks on the sidewalk in front of my home.
FYI: The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall opens Thursday afternoon at the Rice County Fairgrounds in Faribault. Click here for a detailed schedule of events from now through Labor Day. Check back for a follow-up post on a pre-eve stop I made at the fairgrounds.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Awesome pictures
Thank you.
How cool!!
Yes, it was. I visited the Wall site last evening and will be showcasing those images sometime this morning. That pre-unveiling tour made an impression, too.
Duty, honor, country!
Amen.
This makes me so proud to be an American and so honored that my dad, his brothers and my cousins served and fought for this country. Thank you to all that serve our country – you deserve to be thanked, respected and honored! Thanks for sharing – loving the captures of the action of the procession. Happy Day – Enjoy 🙂
I felt the same. Proud to be an American. And so thankful for the men and women who have served (including your family) and those who currently serve.
Just reading this brings tears to my eyes as I recall my ride from La Crescent that day many years ago. You are so correct…….the overwhelming emotion of being a part of something bigger than oneself cannot be conveyed but MUST be experienced! It is with great pity, I read such ‘news’ articles about an NFL player refusing to stand for the National Anthem……yet, the response has been appropriate and causes me to pray for all of us who may take this great country for granted……that was “bought” (and is “being bought”) with the blood of so many dear souls. Thank you for this important post!!!!!!
You are welcome. And thank you for your equally thoughtful comment.
;-D
[…] the sidewalk fronting my Willow Street property,” Audrey Kletscher Helbling writes on her Minnesota Prairie Roots […]
Thank you for sharing this, Audrey. Your photographs had me feeling like I was right there… a wonderful, patriotic feeling.
You are welcome. I’m working right now on another post, a sneak peak of what visitors can expect to see at the wall site.
Wow this must have been something to witness and participate in
It was.