The Moving Wall.....a moving experience

2016 Copyright Photography by Lynn, Palmerton PA

From July 21 - July 25, 2016, the little town of Palmerton, PA will be hosting The Moving Wall, the 1/2 size replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. Available 24 hours a day (yes 24 hours a day) for visitation in the beautiful borough park, this is a must see, must experience event. (Sponsored by the Palmerton United Veterans Organization)

Now....a bit of ramblings from me regarding this event.


Last summer, my parents and I went to a nearby township to view this replica. Amazing is the only way I can describe what you see. Amazing. I was so glad to learn that the little town where I live (well, the neighboring town, but we are all one big community here) would be hosting The Moving Wall this summer. The time is now.


Last evening, I attended the opening ceremonies of the event with my family, and what felt like everyone else in the community. Our beautiful park was FILLED with people, paying homage to those who served and never returned from one of the most misunderstood conflicts in US History. It was a wonderful ceremony, presided over by Master of Ceremonies, George H Duell (Retired 1996 Colonel, USAR; Counterpart Post Commander Fort Indiantown Gap, PA; First US Army Military Liaison Officer to the Reserve Components of Pennsylvania; Division Chief, Policy & Plans, Army Public Affairs, The Pentagon; Commander 127th R & D Det (AMC) 79th USARCOM Pennsylvania  - let that sink in), who was my high school principal during my tenure at PHS. Of all the speakers, who offered some insight, two stick out in my mind and heart. Palmerton Mayor Chris Olivia, spoke from the heart about what it meant to have The Wall in his borough's park. Speaking of his own tour in Veitnam, losing one of his closest military friends on the battlefield, and his pride in the town, Mr Olivia held nothing back as he delivered his remarks. Atty Steven Vlossak, the featured speaker, served in Vietnam and was instrumental in getting The Wall to our town. His words, his memories, his passion drove me to do what I did today.....


I woke up this morning and didn't really feel like sitting around my house. I got dressed and headed to the town park, to visit with The Wall before it would get flooded with people. Let me tell you, at 9:30 this morning it was WELL FULL of people, paying respects, sharing stories, shedding tears, and praying. I sat on a bench for about a half hour just taking it all in. Thinking of my dear friend and former principal Mr. Steve Kitsmiller, who served in Vietnam and who shared horrific stories with me of his time served and his 'un'-welcome home. I sat on the bench and I cried. The tears flowed freely as I thought of the men and women who went off to this foreign land to fight in a conflict/war that they didn't ask for, and then were either killed, missing in action, or treated so poorly upon their return home. I cried for them and I cried for their friends and family.


After sitting, I decided to walk The Wall and recognize Jack Geoghegan, as I always do at The Wall. I then approached a volunteer and asked how I could go about volunteering my time to read names. See, the committee decided that during this event, EVERY SINGLE NAME on that wall would be read aloud in our park. I stood and read through pages of the 'M' list. 45 minutes of standing, reading off names, welcoming them home. My emotions got the best of me a few times as I read off the names, but it was while I was reading, I decided to take Mr. Vlossak's words and follow through. I decided that in addition to Jack Geoghegan, I would also start to recognize the last name I happened to read on the list when my 'shift' was up.


Being the inquisitive history 'nerd' I am, I decided to come home and research Sgt Arthur Runnells Moody III. the last name I read today.


Sgt Arthur R Moody III, 22 years old, from St Petersburg FL. Born 8/8/1943. Killed 11/17/1965. Awards: ★ National Defense Service Medal ★ Combat Infantryman Badge ★ Purple Heart ★ Vietnam Campaign Medal ★ Vietnam Service Medal. Location on wall: Panel 03E Line 086. (just below Jack Geoghegan).


The body of Sgt Moody was recovered and is located in the East Elfers Cemetery, New Port Richey Florida. I was hard pressed to find more information about him, but that will not stop me from honoring his memory on his birthday, his death day, and any time I am fortunate enough to see any of The Walls. He was one of the soldiers who fought in the Ia Drang Valley, which is featured in the movie We Were Soldiers, a somewhat ironic turn of events considering the connection I feel to that movie due to Mr. Kitsmiller. While We Were Soldiers dealt primarily with the 1st Cav division, I found out that Sgt Moody was in the 2nd Cav division in that area and died along side 152 others during the 'event' of his death. The event as part of the major group IA DRANG LZ X-RAY & ALBANY: LZ ALBANY, 7 KM EAST-NORTHEAST OF CHU PRONG MOUNTAIN (HILL 732) 19651117. The listed causes of his death: A1-H-7 (A1 = Hostile, died outright. H = Multiple fragmentation wounds. 7 = Ground casualty).


To say that visting The Moving Wall is an experience, does not fully express just WHAT it is. It is a MOVING experience. I truly believe we all need to visit something like this in our lifetime, simply to witness the raw emotion, hear the stories, and allow the voices to echo in the wind.


I am so thankful to the committee that brought this to our community. I am so thankful I was able to volunteer even a little of my time. I am so thankful to be afforded the opportunity to live in this country and honor the veterans of our country in this way.


Until next time.....Welcome home, Sgt Arthur Runnells Moody III and 2LT John Lance Geoghegan. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.

College already? It can't possibly be that time!

As I sit here in the quiet of the morning, listening to the birds chirping outside, I can't help but start to get a bit weepy at the prospect of what will be happening in my life in just a little over 30 days. College. The big move in day.


I remember, well, the day my Babygirl was born. I remember her first days of pre-school, elementary school, junior high school, and high school. When did the time slip so far from my grasp? It seems like it was just yesterday we were stressing over high school sports and classes and now....I seem to be the only one stressing over what comes next.


Babygirl, as you head off to college, I want you to remember some important things......


1. This is NOT high school.  This is not a free education. Ultimately, there is a hefty price to pay to attend college. No one will be making sure you are up for your classes (unless you have an awesome roommate!), making sure you are studying enough, making sure projects and presentations are done, it is all up to you now. YOU are expected to take responsibility for what you do and don't do and in the end, are responsible for the consequences of your choices.


2. Put yourself out there. While I know you have your goals and priorities all well established, please remember that you CAN get involved. Get to know people. Not everyone is like your high school classmates. People CHOOSE college and so they want to be there, too. Join those clubs that may sound corny, pledge a sorority, take a class just for the fun of it, challenge yourself to try new things! True college life will happen outside room 213!!!


3. Organization will be key to your success. Keep a planner or a detailed calendar of classes and due dates!!! Make sure as you organize your time, you leave room for the fun stuff. Schedule library time, where it is just you and the books! Become good at list making. Prioritize assignments and activities. I won't be there to give you the reminders I always did (even though you were well ahead of schedule in most of your due dates!). Take advantage of all the things that college has to offer.


4. Don't compare yourself to anyone else.  I know throughout your school years, you've often been in your sister's shadow, feeling like people would tell you what she did or didn't do. As you enter college, remember YOU are YOU. Don't compare yourself to anyone. Stay true to YOU. Your way of studying may be way different than your roommate and that is OK! She may be better at one class than you are and that is OK! When you graduate, YOUR name is on that diploma! Work hard to make YOU proud of YOU, because I already am!!


5. Please make an effort to keep in touch. Believe it or not (and I know you will believe this), you being away at college will be harder on me than it will be on you. Oh I know you may get homesick and want to come home (maybe....maybe not), but being here in this house without you day in and day out will be the toughest experience of my life. Not having you to talk to at the end of the day will most certainly break me a bit. You were my rock when your sister went away to college, making that transition a bit easier for me. This time it is just me. PLEASE make an effort to keep in touch. I will do my best to not be calling you every day, no matter how strong the urge, but it won't mean I don't want to talk to you! Phone calls, FaceTime, emails, SnapChats! I'm up for it all.


This will be a getting used to for all of us. Me, You, Bill, Grandma, Pappy. All of us will go through this weird stage for a little while. As you prepare for college, please remember that "My wish, for you, is that this life becomes all that you want it to, Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small, You never need to carry more than you can hold, And while you're out there getting where you're getting to, I hope you know somebody loves you, and wants the same things too, Yeah, this, is my wish."


Best of luck, my Babygirl. I love you more than words could ever express. Rock on.


Until next time......