KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Over the Memorial Day Weekend the nation honors those who paid the ultimate price for our country.
On Saturday, thousands came to the Liberty Memorial to see the traveling Vietnam Wall, which is incscribed with the names of the nearly 60,000 Americans killed in the Vietnam War.
US Navy Corpsman Max Moore told FOX 4 that he didn’t recognize any of the names on this wall. But, he knew so many of them.
“I think I can say there are names on this wall that I’ve taken care of. A lot of names on this wall that I have taken care of,” said Moore.
Moore said he treated thousands of wounded soldiers in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968.
“I was an operating room technician, so I took care of a lot of guys. Some good, some real bad,” he said.
On Saturday, Moore and armies of others came to Liberty Memorial to pay their respects to the more than 58,000 who didn’t survive.
Among the crowd was Mission resident Scott King, his wife, dad and two boys.
“We thought it would be important to come out and show the kids what just what Memorial Day is about,” said King.
King said the wall offers a valuable lesson.
“It says on the wall freedom is not free, so there are people who we as civilians kind of take for granted that there are the people out there protecting us and it’s very important. It’s a good lesson to know,” he said.
People like Moore who lived to tell his story.
“You don’t ever forget what you went through that’s something that’s etched in your soul,” said Moore.
The traveling wall erected to tell the story of so many others who can’t tell it themselves.
The traveling wall is in town at Liberty Memorial through Memorial Day. A full list of events is below.
The AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall
When: Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25
Where: Southeast Lawn at the National World War I Museum
What: The AVTT (American Veterans Traveling Tribute) Traveling Vietnam Wall is an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. measuring nearly 400 feet long. Seen by hundreds of thousands of people across the country, the Wall is accessible to the public for viewing beginning with an opening ceremony featuring the 1st Infantry Division on Friday at 6 p.m. through the closing ceremony on Monday at 2 p.m. Daily ceremonies occur at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. The opening ceremony will include Fort Riley’s Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard and a keynote address from Col. Miles Brown, Commander of Fort Riley’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Free to the public.
Vietnam Era Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter Display
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, May 22 – Monday, May 25
Where: South Walkway Entrance, Walk of Honor Section at the National World War I Museum
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for display. Free to the public.
Vintage Military Vehicle Display
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25
Where: Southeast Lawn at the National World War I Museum
What: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display nearly 30 vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Vehicles will include a rare Ford amphibious vehicle, a WWI Ford Model T Scout Car, a WWII half-ton truck with a mounted 40 millimeter anti-aircraft gun and a Hummer from Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Free to the public.
Disabled American Veterans/Red Racks Donation Drive
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25
Where: U-Shaped Drive at the National World War I Museum
What: In honor of Memorial Day weekend, Red Racks, owned and operated by the Disabled American Veterans organization, and the National World War I Museum are hosting a donation drive in the U-Shaped Drive near the walkway leading to the Museum entrance. Accepted items include: gently used clothing, shoes, household items/décor and children’s toys. All donations are tax deductible.
National World War I Museum Benefit Pancake Breakfast
When: 8-10 a.m., Saturday, May 23
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby at the National World War I Museum
What: Enjoy flapjacks in a unique setting with proceeds benefiting the National World War I Museum.
Hands-on History
When: 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 23
Where: Main Gallery at the National World War I Museum
What: History is brought to life during this family-friendly program, where kids of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts.
Where the Poppies Grow
When: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 23
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby at the National World War I Museum
What: Listen and participate with award-winning author Linda Granfield as she highlights the meaning behind the Museum’s poppy field with John McCrae’s In Flanders Fields and her prize book, Where Poppies Grow: A World War I Companion. Free to the public.
Coolies to Rebels: Vietnam & WWI
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, May 23
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National World War I Museum
What: Vietnamese soldiers and workers rallied behind the French flag during World War I, yet their experiences in in Europe changed their lives and their attitudes toward France, its people and ultimately altered the course of the French colonial enterprise in Indochina. Join Dr. Kimloan Hill and Dr. Matthew Naylor as they explore the stories and relationships that set the path to revolution, war and ultimately national independence in Vietnam. Free to the public.
