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Date: 1/15/2016
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The Wall that Heals, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will be making its way to West Springfield this summer.
The town’s Director of Veterans Service Chriz Lizotte filled out the application and was approved over the summer, making the official announcement during Veterans Day celebrations on Nov. 11. Lizotte said he has been working on an official location, most likely the Eastern State Exposition though final approval is needed.
West Springfield became a part of the Commemorative Partner Program in 2015, which aims to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and its veterans at a federal, state and local level. Lizotte said the Wall that Heals seemed like the perfect event for the town.
“Being an Iraq veteran, we try to help our own still. I think getting to see, having a better understanding now and hearing the stories even just after a year of work here, of the lack of support, the lack of any kind of care for Vietnam veterans, it’s opened my eyes even more,” Lizotte said. “Having the resources now and having the support from the folks in town, from all of the other veteran agencies and colleagues, doing something like this, it just seems right. They do deserve all the gratitude that’s never been given to them.”
In addition to the Wall that Heals, Lizotte said he is hoping to host a “welcome home dinner” for Vietnam era veterans, as well as a parade while the exhibit is in West Springfield.
“We’re trying to make it as big as possible to honor the Vietnam veterans the best we can,” he said.
While the events are still in the planning phases, Lizotte said it is important that the Wall at Heals has the same atmosphere as the original memorial. This means volunteers will be needed to man the wall, answer questions and guide people for 24 hours a day during the wall’s stay.
“We’ve got a lot to do. You’re able to access it 24 hours a day, so at midnight if you want to stop by you’re going to be able to stop by,” Lizotte said.
Lizotte is working to set up a committee and will be looking for volunteers from the community to help. For more information about the Wall that Heals, visit http://www.vvmf.org/. For more information about volunteering, email Lizotte at clizotte@west-springfield.ma.us.