Michael Jahns of Arnold says he jumps at any chance to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial or its traveling replicas. “I’ve been to the original and if a traveling wall is anywhere within 200 miles, I’ll go to it,” said Jahns, 69, a Vietnam War veteran who served with the Army 173rd Assault Helicopter Company. He was among the early visitors to see the opening of the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Memorial Wall on Thursday (May 5) at West City Park along Sunshine Drive in Festus.
Jahns said every time he visits the memorial or its replicas, he looks for the names of 56 soldiers from the Army 1st Infantry who died Oct. 17, 1967. “I was in the helicopter unit bringing them in an out,” he said. “I was a door gunner. (The 56 men) were part of several platoons. I’ve never forgotten them.”
Dozens already had visited the traveling exhibit within the first hours of opening Thursday, but event officials expect many thousands to visit by the time it closes at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 8, on Mother’s Day. “There’s really nice weather,” said Stephanie Gibson of the event committee. “We think as long as the rain holds off, we’ll get 3,000 people to come through.”
During the exhibit’s run, it is open 24 hours a day. The traveling wall, like the actual memorial, includes names of soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam. The exhibit – made of metal and 360 feet long and 8 feet tall at its highest points – is about 80 percent of the size of the actual memorial. There is no cost to those who visit the exhibit.
Don Lucas, 61, of Festus, said he was looking for the name of his cousin, Gary W. Prather, killed in late December 1966. Lucas said he served in the military, but not in Vietnam. “I’ve seen (the Wall) before,” he said. “Yes, I get emotional. We had the same birthday – Jan. l1 – same family, different years.
Hillsboro boys track coach Todd Medley brought his squad of about 30 athletes to see the exhibit. “We have a meet here tomorrow and I brought them over to let them have a look, see what it’s all about,” Medley said. “They hear about it in school, but I think it’s important to see it.”
Nik Kennedy, a Hawk sprinter, said he was impressed. “To think, there were a lot of (names of) people that are my age,” said Kennedy, 19, a senior.
A group led by area businessman Todd Mahn received a $30,000 grant from the Festus Tourism Commission to help pay for the exhibit’s visit. Mahn, owner of Mahn Funeral Homes in De Soto and Festus, also helped bring the exhibit to Festus and De Soto during its past visits to Festus and De Soto. Wall exhibits have come to Jefferson County four times, going on display in Festus in 2006, twice to De Soto in 2008, and most recently to Arnold in 2010. Thousands of people came out for each visit.
Mahn said individuals and groups will sing at various times during the exhibit. A related event is scheduled for 8 p.m. today (May 6), a concert by the Hound at Festus-Crystal Elks Lodge No. 1721, 4 Elks Drive, Crystal City.
Special events also are scheduled for Saturday (May 7) at West City Park as part of a 50th Anniversary Celebration of those who served in the Vietnam War. Events include a Mother’s Day Service and Ride starting at noon from Doc’s Harley-Davidson, 930 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, to the exhibit at the Festus park, with the service beginning at 1 p.m. and a fireworks display at 8:30 p.m. For more information, call Mahn Funeral Home at 636-586-2288.