West Point community moved by The Wall That Heals

WEST POINT, N.Y. (October 29, 2015) - The Wall That Heals came to West Point Oct. 22-Sunday in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The Wall is a 250-foot mobile replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C.

Fifty-eight thousand three hundred and seven American service members were killed by the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, all of whose names have been featured on the Wall. The hopes of the traveling wall is to give veterans and citizens the opportunity to pay homage to fallen Soldiers and in turn, begin a healing process within their own communities.

Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert L. Caslen, Jr. introduced the Wall during the opening ceremonies Oct. 22 stating that these losses, "hit home here at West Point, as American causalities included 334 graduates killed in action. These members of the Long Gray Line included five general officers and represented a wide range of classes, from the Class of 1941 to the Class of 1970."

Caslen also remarked that some of those names reflect prominent buildings here on post--Arvin, Holleder, Enners and Nathe.

In addition to paying respect to former cadets, the West Point community was given the opportunity to find names of loved ones and participate in the healing process together.

Gus Fishburne, USMA Class of 1962, played a large role in organizing volunteers and helping bring the Wall to West Point. He lost 22 classmates in the Vietnam War and at least 12 in his company.

"I think it's especially important for cadets," Fishburne said. "All they can remember is history books, but this, when you just see the incredible number of names on the Wall, you just realize, 'hey, I'm going to be going to war too, probably.'"

Class of 2016 Cadet Will Wan agreed. "So many people sacrificed before us and we're walking into service," Wan said. "We might be one of them in the future and it makes it so much more meaningful to serve."

In addition to the Wall, the exhibit included a mobile education center that allowed the community to fully engage with the emotions felt at the Wall in Washington D.C. The exhibit includes photographs of fallen service members as well as memorabilia and letters left at the Wall.

"To share your story and know that story's appreciated is very healing for (veterans) and I think it's healing for our country," USMA Chaplain Col. Matthew Pawlikowski remarked.

Pawlikowski went on to explain the importance of the history of the Vietnam War in tandem with the significance of the exhibit.

"Lots of people come up to Soldiers and service members nowadays and say 'thank you for your service…' these guys never got that," Pawlikowski reflected. "They're starting to wear their Vietnam Veterans' hats now, which they never did before. They're able to do that now because people are starting to appreciate and thank them, and actually repent of some of this treatment in the past; so I think it's great that it's here, for cadets to see it."

Bill Reisner is a Vietnam veteran and a volunteer for the Wall. "The Wall means something to me," he said. "I've been down to Washington, seen the Wall down there, and it really makes you think. Plus there are a number of people that I know whose names are on the Wall."

He made it clear that experiencing the Wall is important for veterans and civilians alike.

"Everyone should be aware of the sacrifices made throughout the history of the United States and West Point is emblematic of that," Reisner said.

The West Point community came to visit the exhibit and pay their respects to the Wall throughout the four days. While the replica is half the size of the memorial in our nation's capital, the healing and commemorative properties remain the same.

"It makes me feel … mixed feelings." Wan paused. "I feel sad, but at the same time I feel proud."

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