VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL TRAVELING EXHIBIT COMES TO SOUTH CAROLINA

This past Sunday I made a trip to Clemson to view the traveling replica of the Vietnam Wall Memorial that was on display in front of Bowman Field on the Clemson University campus. Over 700 Patriot Guard and Rolling Thunder motorcyclists accompanied the wall from Easley, S.C. to the Clemson campus where they were welcomed by thousands of veterans, students and members of the community earlier in the week. Veterans groups in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties raised the money to bring the wall to Clemson. This was homecoming weekend at Clemson and the students were busy building their homecoming displays on Bowman Field as the wall arrived. Students were also hard at work building a Habitat for Humanity house at this location. It was quite a contrast to see the students who were not born during the Vietnam Era and the many veterans who served our country during this time. I have visited the permanent wall in Washington, D.C. on several occasions but this was my first time to see the replica. It was touching to see the number of people searching for names of friends and loved ones on the wall and to witness the many veterans who were there to pay their respects. I was elated to see the turnout and to have the opportunity to meet many of the veterans who made it possible.

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