The host committee of The Wall That Heals in Yates County is asking the public for help in identifying Vietnam veterans who died after returning from Vietnam. They will be honored in The Wall That Heals exhibit in Penn Yan.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund created the exhibit, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC, which will tour the United States.
The exhibition will make its only stop in New York from August 8 to 11: the Penn Yan Fireman’s Field.
As part of the exhibit, local Vietnam veterans who have passed away since returning home are eligible to be honored as part of the “In Memory Honor Roll” exhibit. Those honored through “In Memory” will have their photos and names displayed as part of the Education Center mobile exhibit.
Thousands of Vietnam veterans suffered from exposure to Agent Orange, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. That’s why the In Memory program offers families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to remember them forever, according to the VVMF.
History of New York: Protests at New York City colleges helped shape the anti-Vietnam War movement: Here’s how it happened
“We want to honor as many Vietnam veterans from New York State as possible,” said Doug Gibbs, co-chair of The Wall That Heals Yates County Host Committee. “If your loved one served in Vietnam, returned home, and later passed away, we want to be able to proudly display their name and picture in our community. We are asking the public for help in identifying eligible veterans and submitting their applications to VVMF so that their veteran can be displayed at Penn Yan.”
To have your loved one honored, you can submit a short application along with the veteran’s DD214 form proving he/she served in Vietnam, a copy of the death certificate, and two photographs.
For more information and to find the application, visit www.vvmf.org/inmemory.
According to the VVMF, honoring a veteran through the In Memory program involves the following:
-
A personal online memorial page with a photo and biographical information. Family members can leave comments and share the page.
-
An invitation to attend In Memory weekend in Washington DC, with a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where each guest of honor’s name will be read. Each applicant will receive a printed personalized tribute certificate with their veteran’s photo.
“No one knew that when the war ended, Vietnam veterans and their families would still be feeling the effects of their service, more than 50 years later,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “In Memory is our way of honoring these Vietnam veterans for the sacrifices they made.”
The deadline for applications for the Penn Yan exhibit is July 8. For more information, visit www.thewallthathealsyatescounty.com or call (315) 536-5196.
— Madison Scott is a reporter at the Democrat and Chronicle who edited and reported on our Weld Street Project. She is interested in how the system helps—or fails to help—families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Penn Yan honors Vietnam veterans with national exhibit
