Viet Nam Memorial in Binghamton New York pt. 1
Written by VASS
The Wall That Heals, one of the Moving Walls of the Viet Nam Memorial in Washington D.C. arrived in Binghamton NY, at Columbus Park at 1:45pm. The Memorial is half the size of the actual memorial found in Washington D.C. and allows the public that might not be able to get to it a chance to be involved with this symbol of the dedication and lives of the Armed Forces that served in the Viet Nam War.
Like my father, the father of Tom Stevens served in Viet Nam. When asked about what the Memorial means to Tom, he mentioned how he felt that Vets returning from Viet Nam were not given their deserved recognition and respect. That left America with a feeling of guilt, especially when compared to the way vets from the Gulf War were treated. But that did give America an opportunity to embrace our Viet Nam Vets, which is continued today. Those thoughts were shared by several of the vets that were at Columbus Park today as the Memorial arrived preceded by a Color Guard.
In the community there were many thoughts about the Viet Nam Memorial. In the Broome County Urban League across the street from Columbus Park, CEO Jennifer Lesko stated, “There are a lot of countries that don’t have freedom. The ability to wear what you want, or say what you want. We have those Rights due to the military that have sacrificed so much for us all. The memorial is a reminder of that sacrifice.”
But when Robbie Rodriguez, a resident of Binghamton and 18, was asked about the memorial he had a very different view. Robbie is very detached from Viet Nam, noting that he knew little about that war because he wasn’t around for it. For Robbie the focus is on Iraq and Afghanistan. He stated “They’re sending people to war. It won’t end. We kill them and they kill us. It’s a cycle. It should end and just have peace.”
Perhaps that is the most important reason that Ron O’Shea and Marjorie Brink got the Wall That Heals to Binghamton. To make Viet Nam and the veterans that fought there more of a part of the current generation. To provide those vets, and those that gave their lives, a place in history in the minds of all Americans, old or young, that they deserved and earned.
As Tom Stevens looks at it, “Keep in mind there are 3 generations involved. The generation that was involved directly, many due to the draft. The next generation that was involved with the Gulf War who did not get drafted but volunteered. And there is this generation, that has more multimedia and information than any other. That generation, more than the others, are coming to their own opinions about things sooner than we did.”
The current generation is indeed getting more information, and the Viet Nam Memorial allows them a chance to speak with veterans like Barbara Beebe, Commander of the American Legion Post 1700, who was one of the women to serve in Viet Nam from 1962 - 1964. “It’s about time we honor the men and women that served in Viet Nam. Many didn’t get a warm welcome home. So I’m glad to see this here. For those that can’t go to Washington D.C. this gives them an idea of the feeling it means to me. It chokes me up, and I get a warm feeling just looking at it.”
For those that served, the sons and daughters of those that served, their friends and family, and the youth of Binghamton and America the Moving Wall Viet Nam Memorial provides a tangible link to our past as well as the dedication and love of our country so many made the ultimate sacrifice for.
April 8th, at 6:30pm, will be the opening ceremony for the Memorial. Several community members will be on hand to speak as well as Binghamton Mayor Ryan. On April 9th, at 6:30pm, there will be an event in honor of the P.O.W./M.I.A.’s of Viet Nam (initial reports were of 21,794 in 1975, as of November 2001 there are still 1,948 unaccounted for - Library of Congress). On April 10th there will be a Celebrate Community Event at 1pm.
