Traveling Memorial Wall 2014

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is Coming to El Campo Texas, July 16-20, 2015 vvtwall1a

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be coming to El Campo Texas, July 16-20, 2015. VVA Chapter #1069 and its membership, will be participating in the 5-day long event. Several special events and ceremonies are being planned for the entire Saturday, July 18, which has been designated by event planners as "Vietnam Veterans Day". This page contains information regarding the 5-day event, including a complete schedule of events. As more details regarding the event become available, they will be posted on this webpage.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the Official 5-Day Event Flyer

Sarah Hudgins, the "Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall" event coordinator, wishes to make the following announcement and donations request...

From: Sarah Hudgins - Event Coordinator

We are pleased to announce that the American Legion Post 87 is sponsoring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall for another appearance in Wharton County. The Memorial Wall will be on display on Blossom Meyer by the Northside Elementary in El Campo from July 16-19, 2015. (same location as last appearance)

The cost to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall,including appearance expenses, is approx. $12,000.00. We are reaching out to the community of Wharton County to help fund this event.

All funds raised will go towards the cost of the use of the Memorial Wall, cost of transportation including fuel charge, travel expenses and the cost of 2 hotel rooms for the Wall manager and assistant, plus related expenses needed during the appearance time.

Any monies raised over the needed cost will be donated to Everyday Heroes Van Fund, a local Wharton County, non-profit organization, whose only mission is to provide support for all Veterans and TexasCapital Vietnam Veterans Monument to help support the ongoing education efforts.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C, stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet in length. This Memorial was made for the purpose of healing and stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War.

Donations can be made to: American Legion Post 87; Mailing address: P.O. Box 162 Wharton, Texas 77488.The American Legion Rowold-Mays Post 87 is a non-profit 501 (c) (19).

Please feel free to contact Johnnie Gonzales (979) 618-6344 or Sarah Hudgins (281) 433-3357 with any questions.

Thank you for your support to our Veterans.

Respectfully,

Sarah Hudgins
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall
Event Coordinator

PLEASE NOTE: The above official announcement letter from Sarah Hudgins, the event coordinator, can be either Viewed or Printed using the link below. The letter is in PDF format.

Memorial Crosses Service presented by VVA Chapter 1069 of El Campo, Texas

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The "Salute to Vietnam Veterans" ceremony is scheduled for Saturday morning, July 18th at 10:00 AM. The guest speaker will be Robert Floyd of Austin. During the ceremony, a special "Memorial Crosses" service will be presented by the entire membership of local VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America) Chapter #1069. This Service will honor soldiers from Wharton County who were "Killed in Action" (KIA) during the Vietnam War and will also include those soldiers who are still listed as "Missing in Action" (MIA). Twenty-seven small white crosses (see photo at left), each with a hanging dog tag, will be initially placed in front of the Wall for viewing. The service itself will include the calling out of the names of those soldiers who did not survive the Vietnam War. As each name is called out, a chapter member will come forward and lay a red rose at the base of each cross. At the end of the service, 25 white crosses will be presented to the family members of those KIAs honored in the service. Also, two black crosses representing two MIA soldiers will be presented to family members. All crosses and bases were hand-crafted and painted by members of VVA Chapter 1069. The dog tags were made (stamped) by Don Dorsey of Austin. Several companies in El Campo also donated material and labor to help make the crosses, and donated other items to the Memorial Service.

CLICK HERE to View or Print the Memorial Service Flyer

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015, 4:20 PM - Wall receives a motorcycle escort (by the Matagorda County Calvary) from Beasley, Texas to El Campo, Texas. Other towns on the escort route include East Bernard, Hungerford, Wharton, and finally arrives at Northside Elementary School, 2600 Blossom Meyer, El Campo, Texas 77437
Thursday, July 16th, 2015, 1:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Wall assembled at 8:00 AM
Friday, July 17th, 2015, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, July 18th, 2015, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM - Morning ceremony at 10:00 AM, Evening ceremony at 7:00 PM
Sunday, July 19th, 2015, 8:00 AM - Wall dissasembled

CLICK HERE

Note: Visitation to the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall and all events are free to the public.

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Special showing of Rory Kennedy's documentary "Last Days in Vietnam" at the Wharton County Historical Museum, Wharton, Texas

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will have a motorcycle escort (Matagorda County Calvary) from Beasly, Texas to El Campo, Texas CLICK HERE to visit the Matagorda County Calvary website
Starting Location: Beasley Elementary School, 7511 Ave J, Beasly, Texas 77417
1:00 PM - Escort gathers in Beasly, Texas, and will be lead by Matagorda County Cavalry
Kick stands up at 2:00 PM - Escort leaves Beasly, headed for East Bernard
Escort will then travel to/through towns of: East Bernard, Hungerford and Wharton
Final Destination will be Northside Elementary School, 2600 Blossom Meyer Dr., El Campo, Texas
Map below shows entire escort travel route. Additional escort travel route and time details follow map below.
Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map.

Escort (by Matagorda County Calvary) starts in Beasly, Texas, at the Beasley Elementary School, 7511 Ave J.

Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map along with route information.

(1:00 PM) Escort participants gather at school parking lot
(2:00 PM) Escort exits school parking lot onto 4th street
Turns LEFT on to loop 540
Turns RIGHT on to FM 1875 towards HWY 90
Turns LEFT on to HWY 90 and travels onto East Bernard

Escort travels to East Bernard and stops at the Catholic School

Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map along with route information.

(2:15 PM) Escort arrival time
Escort Enters East Bernard on Main Street
Turns LEFT on HWY 60
Turns LEFT on Church
Turns LEFT Magnolia
(2:30 PM) Escort arrives at the East Bernard Catholic School
A "Blessing of the Wall" given by Father Don
A Proclamation speech given by the City officials of East Bernard
NOTE: Guests please park in the Catholic Church parking lot
(3:00 PM) Escort exits East Bernard
Escort turns LEFT on Morris
Escort turns LEFT onto HWY 60 and travels onto Hungerford

Escort travels to Hungerford and passes through

Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map along with route information.

(3:10 PM) Escort arrives in Hungerford
In Hungerford, escort crosses railroad tracks located by the J.D. Hudgins Office and travels onto Wharton on old hwy 59.

Escort travels to Wharton and stops at Veteran Memorial

Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map along with route information.

(3:15 PM) Escort enters Wharton city limits on Richmond Rd
Turns LEFT onto FM 1301/Boling HWY
Turns RIGHT onto N. Alabama street
Turns RIGHT onto Milam, heading to Wharton's Court House Square
(3:30 PM) Escort arrives at the Wharton County Veteran Memorial on the square
A Welcome and Proclamation speech given by the City of Wharton officials
Note: The Wharton Police Department will direct traffic for our stop in Wharton
(4:00 PM) Escort exits Wharton on Milam St.
Turns LEFT onto Richmond St., headed West
Escort continues West over the Colorado river bridge
Escort continues and enters onto HWY 59 and travels onto El Campo

Escort travels to El Campo and through business district - then travels to final destination,

Click on map below to View or Print a PDF version of the map along with route information.

Escort heading West on HWY 59
(4:10 PM) Escort exits on Pierce, taking exit 960 into El Campo business district area
Escort continues on old Hwy 59 into downtown El Campo
(4:15 PM) Escort enters El Campo business district area
Turns LEFT onto Washington
Turns RIGHT onto Monseratte
Escort continues through El Campo business district area
Turns RIGHT onto hwy 71 - headed North through El Campo
Turns LEFT onto W. Web
Turns LEFT onto Blossom Meyer St.
(4:20 PM) Wall arrives at Northside Elementary School, 2600 Blossom Meyer Dr, and is welcomed by VVA Chapter 1069 members
Proclamation speech given by City of El Campo officials
The Wall will then be assembled and setup on the morning of July 16

1:00 PM - Escort participants (motorcycles/vehicles law enforcement) arrive at Beasly
2:00 PM - Kickstands Up - Escort leaves Beasley
2:15 PM - Enters East Bernard City Limit (riverbridge and Main Street)
2:30 PM - Arrives at East Bernard Catholic School - Father Don gives "Blessing of the Wall" - Proclamation given by the City of East Bernard officials
3:00 PM - Leaves East Bernard
3:10 PM - Travels through Hungerford (past J.D. Hudgins Office)
3:15 PM - Enters Wharton city limits (Richmond at the Wharton County Museum)
3:30 PM - Arrives at the Wharton County Veteran Memorial - Welcome and Proclamation by the City of Wharton officials
4:00 PM - Leaves Wharton
4:10 PM - Exits 59 at exit 960 and enters El Campo on old hwy 59
4:15 PM - Travels by Washington and Monseratte streets, then North on hwy 71
4:20 PM - Arrives at the El Campo site (Blossom Meyer) - Wall welcomed by VVA Chapter 1069 membership - Proclamation speech given by the City of El Campo officials

1:00 PM - Presenting of the Colors
9:00 PM - Taps

11:00 AM - Salute to WWII Veterans
1:00 PM - Salute to Korean War Veterans
9:00 PM - Taps

10:00 AM - Salute to Vietnam Veterans Ceremony

Color guard - Presented by the American Legion, Post #87 VFW 4474 (Wharton Group) National Guard

Pledges: State Representative

National Anthem

Prayer

Welcome

Song

Keynote speaker - Robert Floyd.

Robert Floyd (above photo left) served in the Army in Vietnam and chaired the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee, the organization that built the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument (above photo right) on the grounds of the State Capitol in Austin, Texas. The Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument honors the men and women of Texas who served with courage and dignity in the Armed Forces of the United States of America during the Vietnam War. Entombed inside are the names of 3,417 Texans who gave their lives so that others might be free. The monument was presented to the People of Texas by the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee March 29, 2014. VVA Chapter 1069 and all its membership want to express their thanks to Robert for speaking at the Memorial Service and to also thank him for all his effort in making the TCVVM a reality for all Texas Vietnam Veterans.

Be sure to click on the link below to learn all about the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument project and be sure and watch the "Welcome" video from Robert Floyd. You may also take a Virtual tour of the TCVVM.

CLICK HERE to View Welcome Video from Robert Floyd on the TCVVM

Special Guest - Don Dorsey.

Don Dorsey (above photo left) was part of the Texas Capitol Vietnam Veterans Monument Committee that created the 3417 Project in 2012 to honor the 3,417 Texans who died in the Vietnam War. Committee member Don Dorsey, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran of the Vietnam War, led the creation of the Heroes Exhibit (above photo right) by hand embossing the tags with the assistance of Marine Corps veteran James Hart.

It was Don Dorsey who volunteered his time to stamp each individual's name on the dog tags that will be hanging from our Memorial Service Crosses. VVA Chapter 1069 wants to warmly thank Don for his contribution to our Memorial Service and for his continued support of all Texas Vietnam Veterans.

CLICK HERE to read about Don Dorsey and the 3417 project

CLICK HERE to read about the Heroes Tags

CLICK HERE to watch 3417 project video
Song

Recognition of Wharton County's, Roy Benavidez, Medal of Honor recipient of the Vietnam War - Chris Barbee speaker

Local area Vietnam veteran, Master Sergeant Raul (Roy) Perez Benavidez (August 5, 1935 � November 29, 1998) was a former member of the United States Army Special Forces (Studies and Observations Group) and retired United States Army master sergeant who received the Medal of Honor (1981) for his valorous actions in combat near Loc Ninh, South Vietnam, on May 2, 1968.

CLICK HERE to read more about Roy Benavidez

Salute to All Vietnam Veterans and their families

Song

Memorial Crosses Service - Presented by local VVA Chapter 1069

A Memorial Service to recognize the Vietnam Veterans of Wharton County who were either KIA or MIA, and including their families. The Service will be presented by the members of VVA Chapter 1069, El Campo, Tx. The Service will include the placement (by members of VVA chapter 1069) of a single red rose at the foot of each of 25 small white crosses (photo at left) that will have been earlier placed in front of the Wall. Each cross represents a soldier who did not return from the Vietnam War. The rose will be placed at the foot of a cross of the individual whose name will be called out by the speaker. 2 black crosses representing 2 Wharton County Vietnam War MIAs will also be presented to family members.

21 Gun salute

Taps

Closure

7:00 PM - Salute to Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans
9:00 PM - Taps

7:30 PM - 9:00 PM - Candlelight Ceremony saluting all Veterans and Reflecting back 50 years
9:00 PM - Taps

Johnnie Gonzales - (979) 618-6344
Sarah Hudgins - (281) 433-3357 (Event Coordinator)
Leonard Sternadel - (979) 332-1747 (President of VVA Chapter 1069)
Chris Barbee - (979) 332-0449
Patty Jensen - (979) 543-3009

The Traveling Wall is a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC - see image to the left. It stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The Traveling Memorial stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.

Welcome to the Traveling Wall. Feel free to take a look at our website, read about what we have to offer, and please contact us with any questions you might have in regards to the Memorial Wall coming to your town. Click on the image to the left to visit the Traveling Wall website and read more about the history and travel schedule for the Traveling Wall.

MAPS BELOW - SHOW THE SETUP LOCATION FOR VIETNAM TRAVELING WALL
2600 Blossom Meyer Dr., El Campo, Texas, 77437

The following Corporate and Civic organizations & companies are either sponsoring the event, donating money or volunteering labor/time to the event itself or event programs. Event officials and all local Veterans organizations want to express their deep thanks and gratitude to those below for supporting all Veterans and for supporting this event.

NOTE: The list below will be continuously updated and added to as the event date nears.

United Agricultural Cooperative

Sons of the Republic of Texas

C.S.R.M. (Compressor Specialties Machine Repair) Machine Shop Services, 1210 W. Jackson, El Campo, Tx., (979) 543-0025, designed and coordinated the inital cut-out of all the small white crosses that will be used for the special Memorial Service on the morning of July 18, 2015. C.S.R.M. also provided the material and manufactured all the bases for the crosses.

El Campo Sheet Metal Service, LLC, located in El Campo, Texas, provided the aluminum material and cut out all the small white crosses for our chapter, that will be used in the Saturday Memorial Service.

Flowers Etc. located in El Campo, Texas, will be providing the roses that will be used in the Saturday Memorial Service

Ryan Services located in El Campo, Texas, will be donating various services at the Traveling Wall site, such as setting up a flagpole, providing lighting towers, etc.

Pioneer Energy located in Victoria, Texas, will be providing the man-power for setting up the Traveling Wall when it arrives in El Campo.

H-E-B groceries is donating 100 cases of bottled water for the event. Message from H-E-B: "It is our sincere hope that our support will help to make your The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall - Wharton County a success. For over 110 years, H-E-B has contributed to worthy causes throughout Texas and Mexico, and we continue to support our community as strongly as ever."

Mikeska's BBQ and Catering, 22730 US Hwy 59 (Blue Creek Road), El Campo, TX 77437, 1 (800) 388-2552.

Patriots And Heroes Outdoors

Robert Kolacny & Assoc, LLC Land Surveyors

Senior Citizen Dancers

El Campo Lions Club

Tec-Tronic Systems, Inc, Select Imports Furniture & Decor

The Sons of Republic of Texas - William H. Wharton Chapter

Howard H Singleton P.C.

El Campo Refrigeration is donating the ice for the event.

Special Thanks to: Prairie Switch Riders, Mustang Tractor, WCEC, Vaclavick Construction, and Gulf Coast Ready Mix for donating the flag pole, the flag, the monument, and providing the complete installation of all, and to the Prairie Switch Riders for making sure the Monument and flag will always have light! See photos below.

DJ Joey Pennington for supplying the sound system for the weeks activates and the music of the Vietnam Era for the Sunday Night Candlelight Ceremony.

Beasley Fire Department for donated ice for the escort.

Manske and Manske

WolfPac Radio for providing the sound system for the welcoming of the Wall in Wharton.

Don Elliot Ford for supplying drinking water in EB at the Blessing of the Wall.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Comes to El Campo - July 2015 [posted on: 4-7-2015] [updated on: 7-16-2015]

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Comes to El Campo - July 2015
[posted on: 4-7-2015] [updated on: 7-16-2015]