The St. Cloud Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center will host a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial on its campus Sept. 6-9. “The Moving Wall will be on our grounds to honor and respect those who made the ultimate sacrifice during their service in the Vietnam War,” said Medical Center director Barry Bahl. During its stay on the VA campus, The Moving Wall will be open to the public 24 hours a day. There is no charge to visit The Wall. Volunteers, many of whom served in the Vietnam conflict, will provide information for visitors and will assist them in locating the names of those they came to honor. Vietnam Veterans have also been instrumental in planning the Wall’s visit to the St. Cloud VA. A ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 6, will mark the opening of The Moving Wall’s stay on the VA campus. Clark Dyrud, Minnesota Commissioner of Veterans Affairs and Maynard Cadillac, president of the Minnesota Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, will speak at the ceremony. Mary Ann Panno, who lost her son, St. Cloud native Cpl. Ronald Panno in Vietnam 38 years ago, will place a wreath near the wall to honor those who died. She will represent all Gold Star Mothers, who have lost sons and daughters in combat. A second wreath will be placed by Maynard Cadillac to honor those who are still missing in action. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend the ceremony. “Many people will never have a chance to visit the Vietnam Veterans’ War Memorial in Washington, D.C.,” said Jim Bestick, president of the Central Minnesota Chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America. “The visit of The Moving Wall to the VA campus will give many people an opportunity to learn about Vietnam and those who served and died there.”
