Wednesday, December 6, 2023
By Kip Tabb | Outer Banks Voice on November 17, 2023
The official opening ceremony for the Wall That Heals was held on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 16 at the Soundside Event Park in Nags Head. It was an emotional day, one that recalled the ultimate sacrifice by the 58,220 men and women who did not return from Vietnam to their families, friends, and loved ones.
The Wall That Heals, a traveling three-quarters replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., arrived in Dare County by procession on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and will remain on exhibit until Sunday, Nov.19.
More than 550,000 men and women were deployed to Vietnam in the 18 years between 1955 when President Eisenhower first sent military advisors to the country and March 1973, when the last combat troops left Saigon.
It was a controversial war, a conflict that sparked some of the largest protests this nation has ever seen. It was a conflict that pitted generations against one another against the backdrop of thousands of men and women losing their lives or coming home broken in body and spirit.
“The whole war was somewhat of a tragedy,” Barry (Fuzzy) Holt of Wanchese told the audience in his remarks.
Perhaps the most troubling memory of the war was the way Veterans were treated when they returned home. Most were drafted and had no choice but to go, yet when they returned home, in many cases they were vilified and shunned—their participation in combat seen as tacit support for a policy that by the end of the war in 1973, was opposed by 60% of the country.
Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath, Commander Fifth Coast Guard District addressed that directly in his remarks, thanking the families of those soldiers.
“You have changed the culture away from how you were treated when you came home to one honoring our veterans when they come back,” he said. “That wouldn’t have happened but for the experience that you had…That is not the right way to treat people who are sacrificing [themselves] for their country.”
“I pray that the wall will bring healing to those of us still carrying the burdens of your time in Vietnam, that your families will be able to help you,” guest speaker Chris Kelley Cimko said. Cimko’s father, Marine General PX Kelley, was the 28th Commandant of the Marine Corps. The General PX Kelley Memorial Fund, founded by Cimko, contributed significant funds to bring the Wall That Heals to Dare County.
The opening ceremony ended with a reading of They, a poem by Dare County Board of Commissioners Vice Chair Wally Overman dedicated to his cousin Glenn Overman. Read by Chaplain Cherri Wheeler, the poem traces the journey from induction to when they gave their last full measure.
It is at the Wall That Heals where some of the most emotional moments occur. U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Emma Saunders was tall enough to help Kill Devil Hills resident Ginger Wise pay tribute to a relative whose name was high atop the Wall.
“This is the name of my uncle. He died in Vietnam. He was shot down…This will be a keepsake,” she said.
Craig Clark, leaned forward in his wheelchair to trace a name on the wall with his fingers. He talked about his friend Wormsey.
“I remember coming back from Vietnam. We had a little party at my parents’ house. And he was there, and he said, ‘Tell me about it because I’m going.’ And I said, ‘Just do what you have to do and keep your head down.’ I guess he did what he had to do, but he didn’t keep his head down,” Clark said.
Remaining Event Schedule
Friday, November 17, 2023
- The Wall That Heals is open to the public 24 hours per day.
- Candlelight Ceremony begins at 6 p.m.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
- The Wall That Heals is open to the public 24 hours per day.
- Vietnam Veterans Walk to the Wall at 11 a.m.
All Vietnam Veterans are invited to walk together from the Mobile Education Center to the Wall. This walk will be led by Vietnam Veteran Barry “Fuzzy” Holt. Please arrive at least five minutes early.Sunday, November 19, 2023
- The Wall That Heals is open to the public until 2 p.m.
- Closing Ceremony at 1:45 p.m.
- Volunteers begin wall breakdown at 2 p.m.
Dare County to Provide Free Hatteras Island Shuttle Service to The Wall That Heals
For more information, log on to https://www.darenc.gov/departments/health-human-services/veterans-services/the-wall-that-heals
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BID:
Barnhill Contracting Company will receive sealed proposals for Manns Harbor – EMS/Fire Facility (EMS-8), Kitty Hawk – EMS/Fire Facility (EMS-9), Manteo – Youth Center on January 09, 2024. Times to be given on via addendum #01. See the following SCOPE OF WORK: BP 100 – General Trades, BP 105 – Final Cleaning, BP 205 – Demolition, BP 390 – Turnkey Concrete, BP 400 – Turnkey Masonry, BP 500 – Turnkey Structural Steel & Misc. Steel, BP 505 – Light Gauge Metal Trusses, BP 740 – Roofing, BP750 – Siding, BP 790 – Caulking/Sealants, BP 800 – Turnkey Doors/Frames/Hardware/Toilet Specialties/Accessories/Division 10, BP 840 – Curtainwall/Storefront/Glass/Glazing, BP 925 – Drywall/Framing, BP 960 – Resilient Flooring/Carpet/Base/Epoxy, BP 980 – Acoustical Ceilings, BP 990 – Painting and Wall Coverings, BP 1230 – Finish Carpentry and Casework, BP 1250 – Window Treatments, BP 2100 – Fire Protection, BP 2200 – Plumbing, BP 2300 – HVAC, BP 2600 – Electrical, BP 3100 – Earthwork/Turnkey Site, BP 3213- Site Concrete, BP 3290 – Landscaping. Scopes of work may be added and/or deleted at the discretion of the Construction Manager.
Bid Location and Time: Bid opening will be held in the Barnhill Contracting Rocky Mount Training & GPS Technology Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Time is as follows: January 09, 2024 at 10:00am and 2:00pm. Times per packages to be given on via addendum #01.
Barnhill Contracting Company will receive, open, and read publicly all bids received in person in the Training & GPS Technology Room at the main office and listed with the virtual viewing at the link to be posted on Barnhill’s Plan Room.
Bids will not be accepted from bidders that are not pre-qualified. No facsimile or email submissions are permitted. Sealed bids are to be hand delivered to the bid opening location noted above or mailed Sealed Bids can be delivered before 9:00am the day of the bid to the Barnhill Contracting Company Office at 800 Tiffany Blvd., Suite 200 Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Attention “Clint Hardison.”
The pre-bid meeting will be held in Person & Zoom Meeting on December 06, 2023 at 10:00 am at the Barnhill Contracting’s Rocky Mount Main Conference Room: 800 Tiffany Bvld, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
The pre-bid meeting link can be located on Barnhill’s online Building Division Plan Room ( https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/54da832ce3edb5050017438b) and below. A preferred brand alternates meeting will be held via the same link at the end of the Prebid meeting.
Bid Documents can be viewed or downloaded through Barnhill’s online Building Division Plan Room (https://app.buildingconnected.com/public/54da832ce3edb5050017438b) after 12/04/2023.
All Bidders are strongly encouraged to include opportunities for HUB participation wherever possible in their respective Bid submission. HUB participation is a part of this contract and must comply with all requirements set forth in the Bid Documents.
The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to add pre-qualified bidders. The Construction Manager and Owner reserve the right to reject any and all bids. Should you require additional direction, please call Barnhill Contracting Company, (Clint Hardison – 252-802-0740).
Clint Hardison is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dare EMS – Phase 2 Pre-Bid Conference
Time: Dec 6, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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Meeting ID: 823 9069 2985
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Comments
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Greg
I visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. It is very moving and very sad to see the names of all who died. We must not forget those missing in action.
Glenn
Beautiful exhibit and so thankful our little beach town was selected as one of the places to share the wall with local residents & visitors alike. Very moving…thanks to the volunteers who shared their time to answer so many questions. Wonderful event.
Joan bond
I was overwhelmed to see all thos names. I grew up when this war started. My brother was sent to fort sill after his wedding. Was able to return home safely only to die an agonizing death in 2013 from agent orange. Was glad to see they have finally recognized the after affects of that chemical . God bless all you folks