Township Of Randolph: Randolph VFW Post 7333 Brings Moving Wall To CCM

Press release from the Township of Randolph:

March 10, 2022

Residents from Morris County and beyond will have the opportunity to experience the poignancy and meaning associated with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial when the Moving Wall, a half-size replica, comes to the County College of Morris (CCM) this July at the initiative of VFW Post 7333 of Randolph.

The Moving Wall will be on display July 7 to July 11, 2022 at the college, 214 Center Grove Road, Randolph, near Parking Lot 1.

The ceremonies begin on July 8, 2022 with proclamations from Randolph Township and Morris County. The grand opening will be on July 9 and include a prayer from Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney from the Diocese of Paterson and proclamations from the U.S. Congress and New Jersey State Legislature. There will also be a tribute to Gold Star families and a wreath laying ceremony. July 10 will include a prayer from Rabbi Asher Herson from the Chabad Center of Northwestern New Jersey and the singing of God Bless America. July 8 through July 10 also will feature rifle salutes and then the playing of Taps each evening at 8 p.m. The closing ceremony will take place the morning of July 11 with a prayer from Reverend Timothy Clarkson from Union Hill Presbyterian Church in Denville, the Retiring of Colors and the collection of wreaths and any mementos left at the wall.

Visitors who lost someone in the Vietnam War will be invited to make a rubbing of their loved one’s name from the wall throughout the course of each day.

When John Devitt, a Vietnam veteran, attended the 1982 dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., he felt its power and vowed to share that experience with those who might not have the opportunity to visit it. Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built the Moving Wall. It has now traveled the country for more than 30 years.

This will be the second time the Moving Wall has come to Morris County. The first time was in Jefferson Township in 2004.

The cost to bring the wall to Morris County is estimated at $30,000 and donations are being sought to help to defray that cost. VFW Post 7333 also is looking for volunteers to assist while the wall is at CCM. To volunteer or to make a donation, go to the VFW Post 7333 webpage . Sponsorship and program advertising opportunities also are available by e-mailing menzel10@aol.com.

Read more about the Moving Wall and Morris County soldiers in Vietnam 

This press release was produced by the Township of Randolph. The views expressed here are the author’s own.