Moving Wall needs volunteers

We think a lot about veterans of military service this time of year. Often, the experience leaves us wishing there was something more we could do to pay back some small part of the sacrifices generations of veterans have made on our behalf.

If you want to give something back, veteran James Hastings can help. He is the director of Alaska’s Healing Hearts and is the guy in charge of arranging details for the Mat-Su Valley visit of “The Moving Wall,” one of two half-size replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that have toured the United States for the past 20 years.

The wall will be in Alaska through July 10 and set up in Wasilla from June 8-14 outside at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center on the west side near the flagpoles.

An opening ceremony is planned at 6 p.m., June 8 and includes delivery of the flag by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and presentation of the colors by the Alaska Army National Guard Honor Guard.

Hastings said he also has a couple of big names lined up to sing — Steve Cochran and Aaron Tippin.

Hastings said Cochran and Tippin will also be at a celebrity meet and greet from noon to 5 p.m., June 2 at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wasilla along with 23 combat-wounded soldiers in Alaska for a black bear hunt.

So how can you help Hastings help other veterans?

“I need people willing to help us read names,” he said.

Starting at about 7:30 p.m., June 8 community volunteers are needed to participate in the solemn reading of the more than 58,000 memorialized on the wall.

Hastings said it takes 48 to 72 hours just to read the names on the list. He said he also needs help with security. People who can sign up for six to 12-hour shifts are especially needed, Hastings said. As much as anything, he needs good listeners with big hearts to volunteer.

“I’d like people just to be around to comfort and be someone to talk to,” Hastings said.

Also needed are people to attend the ceremony, fill the bleachers and pay their respects.

Even now, 50 years after the Vietnam War began, there are wounds left to heal. To our shame, these are debts we as citizens owe to our soldiers and we have left unpaid.

This is an important opportunity for us to show respect and help heal old wounds. After this summer, both The Moving Wall replicas will retire, Hastings said.

“This is our only chance to see it and our last chance to see it,” he said.

Go see The Moving Wall, shake some hands, say thank you, and if you are able, volunteer to read some names.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Hastings at 232-1527.