East Brunswick: Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall has a 'Touching' Opening Day

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ -

Freddie Bonner of East Brunswick

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Mickey Bosko of East Brunswick

Jan Elkins of East Brunswick

Kenny Gonder of East Brunswick

Killed in Action, Vietnam War

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As the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall rose from the ground in East Brunswick today, residents and veterans remembered those from the township and the nation who died in the 10-year-long conflict that involved 3.2 million service members and left 58,318 Americans dead in a war that tore our country apart.  As a speaker said at the opening gathering today, those men and women who returned from Vietnam are finally getting the respect they deserved. They did not get it when they returned home in the late 60's and early 70's, but the erection of the Memorial Wall gave them some measure of it today.

There were speeches and there was recognition in the program today, but the Wall with all those names seemed to speak for itself. It is literally a touchpoint for history - an etched surface of memory that people can feel with their hearts and hands.

Said Dan Moran, Supervisor of Social Studies and Gifted Programs for the East Brunswick Public Schools, "Teacher Robert Gangi took students from his EBHS "Vietnam: A Time of Turmoil and Change" course to visit the Traveling Vietnam Wall at the East Brunswick Community Center.  The students were met by members of the East Brunswick VFW Post 133, who told them about the Wall and other displays honoring veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  Students spoke informally with veterans throughout the morning.  A highlight was when two EBHS seniors, Gavin Strasz and Walter Hansen, who will begin service in the Army and Army National Guard this summer, spoke to an Army veteran about his experiences."

Tomorrow, Friday, May 24, East Brunswick Township Council President Kevin McEvoy, a former history teacher at EBHS for 35 years, will give the opening address for the day, following an invocation by Rabbi Larry Brandspeigel of the East Brunswick Jewish Center.

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