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2021 Vietnam Vets Moving Wall by Valgal and Miserable George

What a great day! Seeing all the Patriots of this Great country get together year after year to pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought and STILL fight for our country is something that will always be close to my heart…

Our hearts go out to the men and women still fighting our battles… Sad to see most of them are here in our own country… Please take an extra second out of your day to send up a prayer for all of them…

I hope you like our coverage of the wall this year… My favorite part, when the helicopters make a bow to the Wall, never happened this year… I love all of you out there so make sure to say HI and give a wave or hug to someone you love today…

ENJOY! Valgal

Georges Pics

Valgal’s pix

32nd Moving Wall & All Veterans Reunion by Miserable George

   This huge event, the 32nd Moving Wall & All Veterans Reunion, began with the assembly of motorcycles, and various other necessary vehicles, at the BCC Campus on Clearlake Rd. in Cocoa, Fl, on Sunday, May 5, 2019. ValGal covered this phase of the event, while I proceeded directly to my usual vantage point on high ground in the Pineda area.

As always, local law enforcement agencies expertly handled the immense amount of traffic associated with an event of this size. There were no tie-ups that I knew of, although, there’s always some grumbling by motorists that are held up by the very long column of nearly 800 motorcycles and support vehicles.

After shooting my pictures, I proceeded to Wickham Park to shoot the next phase…setting up the Wall, and other displays, associated with America’s conflicts, which showed the names of combat people who lost their lives protecting our country and our rights. Very sad to see those thousands of names. This ended my day at the Park, but, I would return the following Saturday for the actual reunion.

    Saturday, May 11, 2019, dawned bright and clear, with a scourge of the cursed Love Bugs, which had been invading our area for the past week…Mother Nature fought us, but, I think we won…at least THIS battle!!

I arrived at the park in time for the landing of 3 combat helicopters, after which, was the Presentation of the Colors Ceremony, opening prayers , and our National Anthem, a very solemn segment of the day’s activities.

Noted local DJ, Doc Holiday was doing his usual bang-up job with the music, and, I had the honor of meeting two WW2 veterans…God Bless ‘em!! By this time, all the vendors were set up, with all manner of military goods…there was food, drink, and snacks of every description as well.

Over in the Wall area, all displays were in order, and being viewed by a huge crowd, including many younger people…let’s hope that THEY never have to go through what the people on the Wall did…!

This year, as like last, the helicopters flew low over the pond behind the Wall, dipping their noses down in tribute…it was quite a sight…very moving…!!  

Now, it was time for this old boy to head for home…a home I could retain, thanks to the sacrifices of the many who are named on the Wall. GOD BLESS them all. Please, support our troops, and, stand up for your country!!! Ride safe…

Miserable George

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Vietnam Moving Wall -THE REUNION…2018 by Miserable George

It’s a happy time, in that vets from all over the country come together again, get re-acquainted, share old times…the good and , I guess, the bad too, but,

it’s a sad time too, when you realize that there are enough names on that Wall to populate a small city

…names that represent men and women who died in service of their country…died, so that we could go on living, and now, be able to pay tribute to those heros!!

A spritz of rain did little to dampen the spirits of the huge crowd that poured into Wickham Park on Sat., April 21, 2018, to partake of the joys of a reunion of such a close-knit group of fighting men and women!!

As always, the Massing of the Colors was a very inspirational event, followed by the playing of the National Anthem by a U.S.Army Bugler , with the American flag flying overhead…kinda brought tears to this old boy’s eyes. This year, 4 choppers came into the Landing Zone…very impressive indeed!!! After the landing,

I made my way over to the Wall area…very inspiring to see the Sea Cadets walking Guard Duty!! Also, a group of Sea Cadets traversing the area, saluted every Vet they passed…looked like a group of truly dedicated young people!

The War Dogs were also remembered at several shrines!

Many mementos had been laid at the base of the Wall near names of loved ones lost. Many shrines in the area, including one for persons lost in the desert wars still going on.

Several locations there too, for Vets who needed guidance and/or help with PTSD, or other problems. Some very interesting displays of combat equipment as well.

Made my way to the Post #81’s food tent…Val and I got a fantastic meal at a good price. Checked out a lot of the vendor spots too, as we approached the chopper area, to watch the take-offs and their salute to the Wall, as they flew low over the lake near the Wall area…very touching indeed!! This pretty well brought my day to a close…a somewhat tiring but happy day.

May GOD bless all our military people, and bring them home safe.

Our thanks to all who made this event a truly enjoyable one…Doc…you’re #1 in my book!!! Ride safe, and stand up for your country…

Miserable George & ValGal

George’s Pics

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Val’s Pics

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Vietnam Vets Wall Reunion 2017

Saturday, May 6th, 2017 was the 30th Vietnam and All Vets Reunion at Wickham Park, Melbourne, Fl.

Val and I got there just before the Massing of the Colors…always a very inspirational ceremony, made up of many of the local vets groups, clubs, and Legion groups…some of the participants were too young to have experienced war, and let’s pray that they never have to.

After all the groups marched in and assembled in the grassy area just in front of the main stage, there was a prayer, singing of our National Anthem, and the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. Flag.

Two combat choppers landed in the LZ just across from the main stage to the rear…that really attracted a lot of attention!!

By now, the scores of vendors in the main area were doing what looked like a pretty brisk business, both for food, drinks, and a huge array of military gear…pins, shirts, caps, etc.

We strolled over to the Wall area, and took in several of the military displays set up there. One was a tribute to all of the Service Dogs that served and were killed in combat…I had no idea there were so many…!!

Lots of people were tracing names from the Wall onto sheets of paper, while some knelt in silent prayer by the name of a loved one lost in the conflict.

A very moving environment at the Wall, for sure. Walking back to the stage area, we witnessed a Huey Chopper hovering over the pond near the Wall. My guess is, he was paying tribute to the men remembered on the Wall…Valerie cried at that one…

After that, we grabbed a bite to eat, and called it a day. Thanks to everyone who helped organize this 30th. Reunion, to the entertainers, the bands…AND…Doc Holiday!!! A very entertaining, and inspirational day…God Bless America…

Miserable and ValGal

Traveling Memorial Wall Escort 2017

Watch this Huey take a bow to the Wall in this Video!

“Whup-whup-whup-whup…Thousands of American troops in faraway places have thanked the Almighty when they heard that familiar sound. It meant help was on the way, and as it grew louder and came closer, even when the  chopper tilted down and blew dust or rain or razor grass into their faces, they welcomed it.” – Ernest B. Furgurson  SMITHSONIAN.COM

George’s Pics

ValGal’s Pic’s

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Escort 2017

As Val and I approached the assembly area for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Escort event of April 30, 2017, at BCC  on Clearlake Rd., we could readily see just how large an event this was gonna be!!

Motorcycles were streaming onto the grounds steadily the whole time we were there! Police officers from several local communities were there to assure a smooth running exodus from the BCC Grounds, south on U.S.#1, to the Wall site at Wickham Park, in Melbourne, Fl.

Just after Val and I left to secure our photo shooting spot at Pineda Crossing Bridge, the huge column began its swift, steady, well managed journey to Wickham Park. I’m told that there were  851 machines in the actual column!! It seemed like a lot more, as it took about 30 minutes or so to pass our photo spot!!

Upon arrival at the park, work immediately began on the setting up of the iconic structure, but, with the many hands offering help, the task was completed in record time. Cold drinks were served, as well as  food for all the helpers. Now, would begin a solid week of patriotic activities at the Park. A big THANK YOU to all who helped…without your help, this event could not take place. GOD bless America!!

Miserable George

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Website: http://www.travelingwall.us/

 

George’s pics

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Val’s pics

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