NY Vietnam veterans to be honored at The Wall That Heals Exhibit in Penn Yan

Madison Scott, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
·2 min read

The Wall That Heals Yates County Host Committee is asking for the public's help in identifying Vietnam veterans who died after returning home from Vietnam to be honored at The Wall That Heals exhibit in Penn Yan.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund created the exhibit, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel throughout the United States.

The exhibit will be making its only stop in New York at the Penn Yan Fireman's Field from Aug, 8 to 11.

As part of the exhibit, local Vietnam Veterans who died after returning home are eligible to be honored as part of the 'In Memory Honor Roll' display. Those honored through 'In Memory' will have their photos and names on display as part of the mobile Education Center exhibit.

Thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. Hence, the 'In Memory' program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized, according to the VVMF.

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"We want to honor as many Vietnam veterans from New York State as possible." Doug Gibbs, co-chair for The Wall That Heals Yates County Host Committee, said. "If your loved one served in Vietnam, returned home, and later died – we want to be able to proudly display their name and photo in our community. We're asking for the public's help to identify eligible veterans and get their applications into VVMF so their veteran can be on display in Penn Yan."

To have your loved one honored, you can submit a short application along with the veteran's DD214 showing their proof of service in Vietnam, a copy of their death certificate, and two photographs.

For more information and to find the application, visit www.vvmf.org/inmemory.

According to the VVMF, having a veteran honored through the In Memory program includes:

  • A personal online remembrance page with their photo and biographical information where family members can leave comments and share the page.

  • An invitation to the 'In Memory' weekend in Washington D.C., which includes a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where each honoree's name is read aloud. Each applicant will receive a printed personal tribute certificate with their veteran's photo.

"No one knew that when the war ended, Vietnam veterans and their families would still be feeling the effects of their service more than 50 years later," Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF, said. "In Memory is our way to honor these Vietnam veterans for the sacrifices they made."

The application deadline to be honored at the Penn Yan exhibit is July 8. For more information, visit www.thewallthathealsyatescounty.com or call (315) 536-5196.

— Madison Scott is a journalist with the Democrat and Chronicle who edited our Weld Street Project and also did reporting for it. She has an interest in how the system helps or doesn't help families with missing loved ones. She can be reached at MDScott@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Penn Yan to honor Vietnam veterans with national exhibit