The Moving Wall in Marinette

MARINETTE - The Moving Wall opened Thursday in Marinette. The wall is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our nation's capital.

The Moving Wall is a place where many come to be still.
"It's way too big," said Don Sheets, president of the Tri-city Optimist Club of Marinette and Menominee Counties, which brought the wall to Marinette.

The begins with John Anderson Jr, and ends with Jessie Alba. There are more than 58,000 names in between. Names like Bob Goodwin and Roger Adams. Names of those who died in Vietnam.

"It's just amazing as you go down the wall, more and more and more named are on it," said Peg O'Brien of Menominee.

O'Brien isn't looking for a particular name, she's simply paying her respects.

"It's a way to honor all the veterans who have given their live for such an unpopular war," said O'Brien.

"People need to see this," said Pat Metko of Amberg.

Metko knows too many names on the wall.

"I don't even want to begin to count how many I know," said Metko.

Metko served in Vietnam 40 years ago. He's visited the moving wall in different cities. It's something that's never easy.

"The very first time I ever went I got within about 100 feet of the wall and I had to leave. I couldn't approach it. And it took me about two years before I could finally do it again," said Metko.

"I thought it'd be good to try to get it here," said Sheets. "Some people for closure, some just for being able to see the names puts a little more effect on what happened and that it was real people."

"It's just a way to honor everyone. It's not just one person," said O'Brien.

"It helps heal. The fact of coming back and nobody wanted you back. We weren't wanted in Vietnam and we came home and nobody wanted us here," said Sheets.

"I just appreciate that everybody's here, caring about these guys....It's these guys right here that are the important ones," said Metko.

Important names etched on this wall, now etched in the memories of those who visit.

The wall is open 24 hours a day, and will be in Marinette through July 6th, with a special ceremony on the 4th.
Click here to learn more about The Moving Wall, including schedule and volunteer information.