Dear Neighbor,
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was in Sauk Centre last week. It was set up at the Eagles Healing Nest and was available for folks to visit during the four days it was in town. Programs were held on the grounds of the veterans’ healing site each day.
Faith and I attended Friday evening’s program, and the weather was perfect and the grounds were beautiful. Standing in front of the memorial, which contains the names of over 58,000 American servicemen and women who were killed during the Vietnam conflict, I was honored to address the crowd. Also speaking was Col. John Pearson, a 32-year military officer who gave an inspirational speech as he talked about American values, making time for family, and his faith in God.
The Wall that was in Sauk Centre is a three-fifths scale replica of the original Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. It stand six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from one end to the other. This traveling memorial stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. According to its website, the memorial was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships, and also 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.
Another highlight of the evening was the huge POW-MIA hot-air balloon that was set up for folks to look at. Operated by a non-profit organization from St. Cloud called Freedom Flight, it’s hoped that enough funds can be raised to allow the balloon to be shipped to France and flown over the beaches of Normandy.
We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those who have served or are currently serving in our military. We also shouldn’t take for granted the job done by those who serve in law enforcement.
Sincerely,
Paul