The Moving Wall comes to Center Ossipee, May 22-26

Original half-scale replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nation's 140th official Memorial Day observance will have an even greater significance in Center Ossipee this weekend, as this year's local ceremonies will be marked by the display of the Moving Wall a 240-foot long, half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.The Moving Wall arrived a day ahead of schedule in Center Ossipee Tuesday evening, May 20, and will be on display at Constitution Park's soccer field on Route 25 East, 24 hours a day, May 22 through 26, according to local organizer and Vietnam War era U.S. Marine Corps veteran David Dube of Lazy Susan's in Center Ossipee.I must be crazy to be in the restaurant business, heading into the busy Memorial Day Weekend, and doing this, bringing the Moving Wall here but that's what we are doing, and expect upwards of 30,000 to 40,000 people during the time it is here, said Dube Wednesday afternoon, May 21.He said opening ceremonies are to be held Friday, May 23, and official Memorial Day ceremonies are scheduled for Monday, May 26 (see schedule in sidebar), with both days' events Monday and Friday to begin at 6 p.m. The display will be on view 24 hours a day May 23 through 26, with the soccer field well-lighted, according to Dube.He stressed that the Moving Wall replica is the original replica, and not a replica of the replica, which is a question which many veterans have asked of Dube.This is the original replica the first of its kind, and it has been traveling since 1984 ... Our veterans are very excited, because this one does give the memorial the justice it deserves, said Dube.According to the wall's Web site, The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial that has been touring the country for more than 20 years. There are two structures of The Moving Wall that travel the country from April through November. Veteran John Devitt attended the 1982 dedication of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington and vowed to share the positive experience he had with those who could not make the trip to Washington. Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built The Moving Wall. The wall was first displayed in Tyler, Texas October 1984.The Moving Wall that has arrived in Ossipee spent the first part of the month in Edinboro, Penn.; Wellsville, N.Y.; and St. Albans, Vt. After it leaves Ossipee, it will be on display May 29 through June 2 in Middlebror, Mass.; June 5 through 9 in Somers Point, N.J.; June 12 through 16 in Richmond Hill, Ga., and it will be on display over the Fourth of July holiday in Bessemer, Mich.Dube said he has seen the Moving Wall three times previously once in Hyannis, Mass., in 1990 and in 1994 in Haverhill, Mass, as well as in Meredith when the Moving Wall toured there a few years ago. Having known John now for 14 years, he came to the restaurant after the Meredith visit, and that led to a pontoon boat ride and much socializing out on Ossipee Lake, laughed Dube, who along with his wife, Susan, has hosted the annual Chefs' Pants Off fund-raising event the past three winters for patriotic causes in the area. Susan thought it would be great to invite him back to Ossipee for Memorial Day, and that's how all this got started.Devitt, who lives in Michigan, said they could host the event before, during, or after Memorial Day Dube says they jumped at the chance to host it for Memorial Day Weekend.The proceeds from this year's Chefs' Pants-Off Contest has helped defray the cost of the effort. (The Chefs' Pants-Off event, Dube announced, recently won a Best Fund-raising Award award from the N.H. Community Development Finance Authority ).Among the highlights of opening day Friday, May 23, is a display of a New Hampshire Army Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopter from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. Approximately 300 local schoolchildren are expected to attend Friday's display. The visit is sponsored by the Moving Wall Committee of Ossipee, comprised of many local Vietnam War era veterans, including Dube.The event will be Dube's way to honor the nation's servicepeople who gave their lives in the Vietnam War, as well as all fallen servicepeople.The hope is that by hosting this visit, we will bring a healing to the Vietnam veterans and their families. It's a way to pay respect to the 58,000 plus servicepeople who died or who are listed as missing in action from the war. Of those 58,000 listed on the wall, eight are women and 1300 of the servicepeople are still listed as missing in action.It's also just pure Americana, said Dube, adding, I'm going to throw some apple pie in the oven and it will just be a Norman Rockwell kind of celebration. We are very proud we are able to host it Memorial Day Weekend, and we hope everyone will come visit to see the Moving Wall.Dube urges all to bring their own lawnchairs for the opening and closing ceremonies. For further information, call Lazy Susan's at 539-3340 or 539-7697, or visit www.TheMovingWall.org.SIDEBARThe MOVING WALL OPENING CEREMONY Friday, May 236 p.m.Parade of HonorN.H. State Police to lead, with various groups followingPost Colors Pledge of AllegianceMembers of Boy Scout Troops 142 and 234 of Ossipee to participate.Singing of the National Anthem by the Junior Voice of the Valley winner for 2008 Meghan Davis of Freedom Invocation by Father Edmund Babicz of St. Anthonys in Sanbornville, and St. Josephs in Center OssipeeCleansing of the Wall - a spiritual Native American ceremony in which the wall will be purified with a smudging of Sage by Sleeping One and fellow Native AmericansWelcome by the Town of Ossipee - Ossipee Board of SelectmenWelcome to the state of New Hampshire - local Vietnam War veteran Charlie Root of Freedom to read proclamation from Gov. John Lynch, D-N.H. Laying of wreath for Vietnam Veterans by four local Vietnam veteransAmazing Grace bagpipe musical presentation by Staff Sgt. Ken Weslby, NHARNG Recruiting Command Echo Taps performed by Paul Dosti, Kingswood High School Music Director THE MOVING WALL CLOSING CEREMONY Monday (Memorial Day), May 26 6 p.m. Parade of Honor led by N.H. State PolicePost ColorsPledge of Allegiance led by members of Girl Scout Troop Swift River CouncilAmerica the Beautiful performed by Joseph Dieghan of OssipeeInvocation by Mary Sullivan, Pastoral Associate, St. Josephs in Center OssipeePresentations by Col. Joe Kenney (USMC), Iraqi War veteran, and Robert Hammond, Air Force Vietnam veteran.POW/MIA wreath and remembranceBagpipe presentation by Staff Sgt. Ken Weslby, NHARNG Recruiting CommandNative American dance and drums to honor the fallen Benediction by Rev. Bob Bossdorf of First Christian Church of Freedom.18-Gun Salute by American Legion Post 95 of North ConwayEcho Taps by Kingswood High School Music Director