Amid flashing lights, horns, and sirens, the Vietnam Moving Wall arrived in Norwalk Aug. 19. The Wall, a half replica of the original, was erected on the lawn of City Hall at 12700 Norwalk Blvd. and open 24 hours continually until Aug. 22. This event was made possible Mayor Gordon Stefenhagen, the City Council, Norwalk Community Coordinating Council (NCCC), and many generous and outstanding contributors and sponsors.{{more}}
The three-day event included guest speakers, military bands, exhibits, displays, and military vehicles. There was the Opening Ceremony on Thursday evening (Aug. 19), A Candlelight Ceremony on Saturday evening, and a Closing Ceremony on Sunday.
From the beginning of the war in 1959 until the end in 1975 there were 58,159 American lives lost. Norwalk alone lost 53 of its young men. On Saturday evening Aug. 21st these 53 fallen heroes were honored with a Candlelight Ceremony. The emcee for this special event was local businessman Richard Fierro, a Vietnam veteran who served in US Army 1968-1972.
While all 53 were honored by a family member or representative four stepped forward to speak of their loved one. Ruth Ellet sister of PFC Frank Blackburn, told of how their cousin Billy Bailey was also serving in Vietnam. He was unable to escort the body home but after a week wait in Oakland the army sent Travis Lampin to escort the body to the family. He spent a week here and was able to tell the family just how their son and brother died. It helped ease the family’s suffering.
Pamela Sue Delp, wife of PFC Kenneth Delp, traveled from Meza, AZ to attend. She told how she and Ken were high school sweethearts at Excelsior High. They married in December after graduating in June. He had to go into the service in January and was soon shipped out. She had to have major surgery so the army sent him home so they did get to spend one week together. Their dream was to have six children. After Ken’s death, Pamela never remarried but she did go to college and is now a teacher. “We didn’t get to have our six children but now I do have 200 each year.” Kenneth Delp is buried at Westminster.
Carlos Gonzalez, brother of Cpl Jose A. Gonzalez, told how in 1970 their family was notified of Jose’s death on Mother’s Day. He read the poem ‘A Baby’s Secret.’
Leon Powell, brother of Cpl Leslie (Les) Allen Powell, told of his brother’s athletic abilities while attending Santa Fe High and how he was voted MVP while attending Cerritos and playing in their first Conference Championship while playing Utah.. He was captain of the team and drafted to the ABA. He was drafted just before signing his contract. He was sent to a special camp for leadership training and was in reconnaissance. He was awarded the Silver and Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart.
The Roll Call of these 53 Fallen Heroes was by Richard Fierro, a Vietnam hero himself. Music for the ceremony was provided by the California Army National Guard Band 40th Infantry Division. Invocation and Benediction was by father John Mohoney of ST. John of God Catholic Church. Presentation of Colors was preformed by US Army Recruiting Station. Pledge of Allegiance was led by Auxiliary President Becky Bullard of American Legion Post #359.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington was inspired by Jan Scruggs, an infantryman who served in Vietnam. In 1979, he saw the movie, the “Deer Hunter” and which reminded him “Of the people he’s seen suffer and die in Vietnam.” That night he decided to build a memorial with the names of everyone killed in the Vietnam War. It was completed in 1982.
The Moving Wall is a half replica of the Memorial in Washington. It was devised by John Devitt after he attended the annual commemoration celebration in Washington for Vietnam veterans. He felt that he needed to share his experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veterans volunteered to build the Wall. It went on display for the first time in Tyler, Texas, in October 1984.
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