Locals can honor those who served. Photo courtesy of the Vietnam War Moving Wall Memorial
William Menzel believes that everyone who wants to should have the chance to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. That’s why he and the rest of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7333 worked to bring the Vietnam War Moving Wall Memorial to Morris County.
“There are a lot of people who don’t get a chance to go to Washington,” says Menzel, vice commander of Randolph’s VFW Post 7333, who also serves as project coordinator. “It gives an opportunity to the New Jersey community, particularly Morris County, to refresh and remember, and to honor that memory of those people on that wall.”
The Moving Wall Memorial is a half-size replica of the actual memorial in Washington. The replica has been traveling across the country, visiting different states since 1984.
The County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph is hosting the memorial as it makes its first-ever visit to Morris County July 7–11; it has appeared in New Jersey in the past.
The project is being funded by organizations including Provident Bank and Miracle-Ear, and New Jersey politicians including U.S. Representative Mikie Sherrill and State Senator Anthony Bucco.
A rifle salute and “Taps” are set for the memorial every day, and Bishop Kevin Sweeney is leading a prayer on opening day. Around 30,000 visitors are expected to come to the memorial during its run at CCM.