Traveling memorials come to Hawley

‘Honor, respect and remember’ the price of freedom

By SANDY LONG

HAWLEY, PA — In less than a week, 300-plus motorcyclists, many of them veterans, will usher in the arrival of a nearly life-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and other displays of America’s major conflicts along Route 6 through Honesdale and White Mills to their destination at Hawley’s Bingham Park.

As the entourage slowly winds its way on Wednesday, May 27, leaving Waymart at 6:00 p.m. and passing through Honesdale at approximately 6:30 p.m., it is hoped that thousands of area residents will line the streets, parade-style, with flags and other gestures of support and acknowledgement.

“We want people to come in celebration of the freedom that we take for granted every day,” said Tour of Honor Committee co-chair Debbie Gillette.

The momentous event is the final project to be completed by the Tour of Honor, a group of Leadership Wayne graduates that earlier arranged for World War II Veterans to travel to Washington, DC to visit the World War II Memorial. Sponsored by the three local chambers of commerce, the Leadership Wayne program fosters future community leaders through various programs that target the development of leadership skills.

Gillette and fellow graduates have been honing those skills in bringing the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) to the region. AVTT travels the United States to honor, respect and remember those who served and those who continue to serve in American conflicts. The traveling exhibit is described as a forum for communities to come together in recognition of all who have sacrificed their lives for America’s freedom.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial erected in the nation’s capitol was dedicated on Veterans Day 1982 and is America’s most frequented memorial, with approximately three million visitors making pilgrimage every year. Thousands of artifacts have been left at the Memorial, such as flags, boots, bottles, letters, photos, stuffed animals, medals, MIA bracelets, dog tags and much more.

As Thomas B. Allen writes in “Offerings at the Wall,” “They come to the wall silently, passing along the walkway where the black stone slabs rise. They walk slowly, seeing their faces mirrored and mingled in the rows of names.... They are pilgrims who have journeyed to a place that has become a national shrine and an honored repository for keepsakes of grief. This is a place where memories weave, where hearts heal.”

The traveling replica of this memorial, along with the other displays, will be arranged in the basin area of Bingham Park. Volunteers will be available to answer questions and assist the 30,000 or more visitors expected to attend during the four-day stay.

The event requires the cooperation and support of many volunteers, organizations and area businesses, which are involved in everything from parking and bussing arrangements to emergency planning and visitor accommodations. The displays are open 24 hours a day, and security will be present throughout that time.

“The traveling wall has never been within a five- to six-hour drive of the area,” said Gillette. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially for those who will never travel to Washington to see the original. We truly hope that people will come from all over to take advantage of it.”

The displays will formally open to the public by noon on Thursday, May 28, as “Firefighters and Law Enforcement Day” kicks off with an opening ceremony and laying of wreaths. “We’re asking all firefighters and law enforcement personnel to join us that day,” said Gillette.

Friday the 29th is School Day, with most area schools sending a minimum of 200 children to visit the displays. “It’s one of the best history lessons a child could ever have,” said Gillette. “It will be a walking history of every conflict the United States has been involved in, brought right here into our community.”

Saturday will feature a Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m., including remarks by regional officials. Sunday is Motorcycle Riders Day, during which riders from the surrounding region are encouraged to travel to the site. A noon ceremony will feature speakers followed by music. The exhibit closes at 7:00 a.m. on June 1.

Throughout the four days, a variety of musical events, ranging from bagpipes to barbershop quartets to community and school choirs and bands are also scheduled in the park’s bandstand. All events are free of charge.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute ( www.avtt.org ) includes:

• Traveling Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, listing 100 percent of the names. The Traveling Wall is the largest of the four replicas that travel the United States.

• Cost of Freedom Memorial is a series of standup exhibits created in gold dog tags to record the names of those who gave their lives for our freedom, since Vietnam.

• 9/11 Memorial is a standup exhibit with lighted twin towers. Names of those who lost their lives are recorded.

• Walk Of Heroes is a series of informational exhibits about the conflicts America has been involved in. Its focus is on exploring the true cost of freedom.

• Vietnam Remembered is a nationally acclaimed art display of original paintings.

• A Tribute Panel will be available to anyone interested in purchasing a silver custom-inscribed dog tag to place on the panel with a personal message to a loved one, past or present.

• World War II displays of pictures and information to pay tribute to these veterans.

Schedule of events:

Thursday, May 28 — Firefighters & Law Enforcement Day

12:00 noon: Opening Ceremony and Laying of Wreaths

Speakers Joe Barletta (local Vietnam veteran) and Bob Essex (local 9/11 survivor)