VISITING THE MOVING VIETNAM WALL
BY RICKEY ROBERTSON
America is a nation that honors its heroes and the many battles in which American servicemen and women have fought. Many monuments, markers, and statues are present throughout our nation and in many foreign countries to honor our heroes. But there is one monument that honors the memory of over 58,000 servicemen and 8 women killed in the Vietnam War. Yes, it is the Vietnam Memorial Wall located in Washington D.C. While many people will never be able to go see "The Wall" in Washington, they may be able to visit a replica of this humbling memorial called the "Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall."
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is a 3/5 size replica of the actual Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. The Traveling Wall is 6 feet tall at its center and is over 300 feet long from end to end. And the names of over 58,000 American servicemen and women are listed on this humbling monument that reminds everyone who views it of the sacrifice made in the Vietnam War by America's sons and daughters. In 1969 LIFE Magazine published a photo display of just one week's casualties in Vietnam. That week 248 Americans died in combat, with 14 of them being from Louisiana. The Traveling Wall travels throughout America and is set up for display. Several years ago it was in Many, Louisiana and in November 2019 it was set up in DeRidder, Louisiana. My wife Patsy and I were blessed to go and visit again the Wall while in DeRidder. As soon as the Wall was set up people started drifting in to view it. Many Vietnam veterans were at the Wall hunting for the names of friends and comrades who were killed in battle. When they would find a familiar name you could see tears in their eyes as they travelled back in time to a battlefield far away in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. And yes, my wife and I found the names of many who we remember so well. And when we found each name we had our remembrances of them also. Just as our Vietnam Veterans need to be remembered, so do the more than 58,000 who perished in this terrible war.
Let us look at the names of those from Natchitoches, Sabine, and Vernon Parishes during the Vietnam War and whose names are now on the Wall.
Natchitoches Parish:
BEDGOOD, JAMES D. - Goldonna / Killed in action 5/13/1967; BENJAMIN, FREDDIE JAMES - Pfc. - Natchitoches / Killed in action 11/19/1967; DOTY, CHARLES - Pfc. - Natchitoches / Killed 11/8/1967; GUNTER, WILLIAM ANTHONY JR. - Pfc. - Natchez / Killed in action 9/2/1967; HAIRE, CARSON EARL - LCPL - Natchitoches / Died 1/12/1966; HAYWARD, DAVID RAY - SP4 - Natchitoches / Killed in action 3/22/1971; JACKSON, CARL EDWIN - Capt. - Natchitoches / Killed in action 6/27/1965; LEWIS, OTIS - PSGT - Natchitoches / Killed in action 2/10/1967; METOYER,JAMES EDWARD - LCPL - Natchitoches / Died 8/31/1966; MOSES, A ELL - Pfc. - Natchitoches / Killed in action 10/5/1965; POTTER, ROBERT GLENN - SP5 - Natchitoches / Died 1/13/1970; ROGERS, CARROLL LEE - SSG - Natchitoches / Killed in acton 11/28/1966; SANDERS, ROBERT HERNON - SSG. - Marthaville / Killed in action 5/30/1968; WATERS, CLARENCE EDGAR - CPL - Natchitoches / Died 9/12/1967; WEAVER, SAMMY LANE - Sgt. - Natchitoches / Died 3/19/1972; WOLFE, TRUMAN WILLIAM - SP4 - Robeline / Killed in action 4/15/1970; WYATT, TOMMY LLOYD - CPL- Robeline / Killed in action 2/22/1969
Sabine Parish:
THOMAS JEFFERSON BARRETT; TROY MONROE CARNLINE; AMBROSE GASWAY; JAMES THOMAS HILTON CORDOVA; HOWARD WAYNE KNOWLTON; THOMAS SIMON MALMAY; WILLIAM ROLAND PREWITT; RICHARD J. REMEDIES; ROBERT SMITH; J. C WALKER JR.
Vernon Parish:
MORRIS SAMPSON BEESON; DURL GENE CALHOUN; BOBBY DON CARVER; CECIL ERNEST DEW; BILLY LEON HAMMONTREE; JOHN WENDELL JACKSON; RUSSELL LANE JETT; MILTON JAY JOHNSON; PAUL RUSSELL NICHOLAS, JR.; ELMER WAYNE SCARBOROUGH; DONALD JEANE SWEAT DUNCAN ALLEN WARWICK FLOYD CHARLES WILLIAMS
As we read through the names of these American Heroes we also have memories of them flood us. And when you go and visit the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall go and find the names of our local heroes who died in the service of our nation. Stop and remember them and most of all their families who lost a piece of their heart when advised of their loved one's death in a country 10,000 miles from home. I would like to thank Vernon Parish for re-naming part of US Hwy 171 in Leesville the "Paul R. Nicholas, Jr. Memorial Highway" in honor and memory of the first Vernon Parish soldier killed in the war. More needs to be done such as this in remembrance of these Vietnam War Heroes. And one thing that this memorial brings out is that freedom is not free. Such a great sacrifice from our local parishes but America's sons and daughters continue to stand up and fight for our nation. America surely is the land of the free and the home of the brave! God Bless America and its Heroes!
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The author at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall while it was in DeRidder, La. (Robertson Collection)
Visitors viewing the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in DeRidder, La. in November 2019. (Robertson Collection)
Over 58,000 names of American servicemen and women are listed on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. (Robertson Collection)
The name of William Roland Prewitt from Sabine Parish on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. (Marze Collection)
The name of Russell L. Jett from Vernon Parish on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. (Marze Collection)
L/Cpl. Troy Monroe Carnline from Sabine Parish was killed during the Vietnam War. (USMC Archives)
Pfc. J.C. Walker Jr. from Sabine Parish was killed during the Vietnam War. (US Army Archives)