KULPMONT, NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— An emotional ceremony in NEPA today remembering the lives lost during the Vietnam War and the September 11 attacks.
28/22's Joe Mason has more from the two memorials.
58,311, that's how many names are listed on the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. and how many names are listed on the Vietnam traveling wall.
Each name represents a life cut short, including 22 from Northumberland County.
On July 4, hundreds of people remembered those lives in Kulpmont.
Remembering the soldiers who fought in the Wyoming Valley
"I have a very very good friend that's on the wall excuse me. Yes, I know some names on the wall," expressed Walt Lutz, U.S. Army Veteran.
"They should be proud for their service, and I think they would be thankful that they were recognized for what they did," stated Lutz.
The traveling wall is 3/5's the size of the memorial in D.C.
It stands six feet tall in the center and is nearly three-hundred-feet end to end.
The wall also serves to educate younger generations who may not know about the Vietnam War.
"This is the way we educate people of all ages throughout the country," said Gus Person, U.S. Army Veteran.
"It's extremely important so you get a sense of duty, patriotism, and that your fellow citizens what they will do for you and what they have done for you," explained Lutz.
Today's ceremony also remembers the lives lost during the September 11 attacks and the sacrifices made by first responders.
"There's a gentleman who spoke earlier today. I knew his son who was lost in 2004 in Iraq. His name is on the 9/11 memorial because veterans who served after 9/11. This commemorated those who lost their life on that wall," said Stephen Motyka, Sgt. at arms, Sons of the American Legion Post 231.
"I was up at the twin towers three days after the incident. It was still burning, and it shows what's required to keep freedom," voiced Lutz.
"In a small community like this of about 2,600 people, it's just immense. Unbelievable that we've had almost a thousand people here just to witness the opening ceremony," added David Shinskie, U.S. Army Veteran and Master of Ceremonies.
"It's all about community and honoring our veterans and as you look around here today, I think we pulled it off here," said Motyka.
The wall will be here until Monday, July 7.
It'll next head to Lenox, Massachusetts and Hudson Falls, New York for ceremonies later in the month.
