(MSC News)--A unique opportunity, capturing history while remembering those who served, comes to Topeka, as the American Veterans Traveling Tribute and Traveling Wall will visit the Museum of the Kansas National Guard at Forbes Field/Topeka Regional Airport beginning this week.
Tad Pritchett is a Vietnam Veteran and author. An officer in the Marine Corp League in Topeka, he served on the committee that helped bring the exhibit to the area.
Pritchett, who was with the 3rd Marine Division when he served in Vietnam from the fall of 1968 through the end of 1969, says seeing the wall up close brings a wide range of emotions. “When I look at the Vietnam Wall, all I see are the heroes of Vietnam. The rest of us just came home, but those are the heroes,” Pritchett tells MSC News. “When I look at the names, I don't just see the names, but I see the families who lost a loved one and I see all the veterans who have come home. We ask ourselves our whole lives why were we the ones that came home and they weren't?”
The Traveling Wall is an 80 percent scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. It will be on display, at 6700 SW Topeka Boulevard, from 12 Noon on Thursday until 3:00 on the afternoon of Sunday.
Each day will include opening and closing ceremonies along with special events and featured speakers.
It will be open to the public 24-hours-a-day while on display in Topeka.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Two arrested following Friday Jackson Co traffic stop
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
LATEST STORIES
NPPD urges farmers to be safe around power lines
Arbor Day proclaimed in Atchison
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Doniphan Co Commission approves overlay projects
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
Atchison company earns energy grant; upgrades planned
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO