Dexter, Missouri - The wheels are in motion for The Moving Wall and volunteers are greatly needed for the half-scale version of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The Moving Wall will be on display at East City Park in Dexter near the Parks and Recreation gym beginning Thursday, August 6th through Monday, August 10th with a “Run to the Wall” escort parade and ceremony slated to take place on Sunday, August 9th.
Actual placement of the memorial replica requires a significant amount of manual labor. A platform must be constructed and put into place on Tuesday, August 4th and Wednesday, August 5th.
Volunteers are also needed on Monday, August 10th at 1:00 p.m. to dismantle The Wall.
“We need some muscle and some skill to help with this effort,” stated Mark Stidham, Dexter City Administrator who is spearheading the project.
A plan is in the works to utilize some of the Dexter High School Football Bearcats, but more volunteers are required. If you would like to help please contact Mark Stidham at (573) 624-5959 to help build the platform, etc.
When The Moving Wall visits our community, it will remain on display and open to the public 24 hours a day. Between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. volunteers are needed to man a couple of computers and help direct visitors in finding names on The Wall. The names are not in alphabetical order, but rather in order of the date they perished. For that reason, navigation is sometimes an issue for visitors.
Mary Worley is organizing the volunteer list for the visitor’s tent. Two to three volunteers are needed for one-hour shifts beginning Thursday, August 6th through Monday, August 10th. Tents will be available for shade as well as chairs, tables, water, and electric fans for those who would like to volunteer.
Please contact Mary Worley at (573) 624-6995 or drop by her office at Dexter Realty, 3 W. South Main, across from the Depot in downtown Dexter.
Other items are needed to make this event a success. These items include pop-up tents, bottled water, and Gatorade. The tents will be available in the parking lot for people to rest, cool down, or sit and visit during the heat of the day. If any businesses or residents would like to donate cases of water and Gatorade that would be most appreciated by the volunteers as well as the patrons visiting The Wall.
For storage purposes, the Parks and Recreation office is going to have their building available prior to the event. The office is open Monday – Friday from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. and will take drop-offs throughout the day. If you need someone to pick up donations, please contact Dee Loflin at (573) 614-4804 and she will deliver them for you.
“Run to the Wall” Sunday, August 9th 1:15 p.m. Hickory Log
The “Run to the Wall” is not a foot race, but an escort to the Ceremony to commemorate the Moving Wall display.
The “Run” will begin at 1:15 p.m. at the Hickory Log on Business 60 and will travel East on Business Hwy 60 to East Park. The City of Dexter police department will escort motorcycles, cars, and trucks to the ceremony. Riders are asked to display American Flags! All veterans are encouraged to ride in the Run to the Wall event. Area businesses along the route are asked to display their American flags and even stand along the street to waive and support our Veterans.
Hand-held American flags will also be distributed to the participants who gather at Hickory Log parking lot to show their support. Parking will be available at the fairgrounds behind East Park so it is encouraged that people get in groups for the “Run to the Wall” to decrease parking issues.
“We hope to have several golf carts in place to transport guests from the parking area at the fairgrounds to the display,” commented Mark Stidham. “This is another area for volunteers to help.”
Anyone who has a golf cart and doesn’t mind putting it in play at the park, or even better volunteering their time to shuffle guests to and from vehicles should contact Mark Stidham (573) 624-5959 or Dee Loflin at (573) 614-4804 and leave a message.
At The Wall and Ceremony
Speaker Brigadier General (Ret) Charles Kruse of Dexter will briefly address the gathering. Other veterans yet to be named at the present time will be on hand to represent this area’s veterans from the Vietnam era.
Respect
It is important to maintain a dignified and respectful atmosphere at The Moving Wall. No vendors within 100 yards are permitted and no forms of entertainment are allowed. It is asked that you turn CELL PHONES OFF! No smoking at the event and no animals are permitted with the exception of service animals. Special paper and lumber crayons will be available at the wall for those who wish to make “rubbings” of names. VISITORS ARE ASKED TO MAINTAIN AN ATMOSPHERE OF SOLEMNITY AND RESPECT AT ALL TIMES WHEN IN THE VICINITY OF THE DISPLAY.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
Manual Labor – Tuesday, August 4th at 8:00 a.m. (Contact Mark Stidham)
Manual Labor – Wednesday, August 5th at 8:00 a.m. (Contact Mark Stidham)
Tent Volunteers – Thursday, August 6th – Sunday, August 9th 8 am – 8 pm and Monday, August 10th 8 am – 1 pm (Contact Mary Worley)
To Donate Water and Gatorade (Contact Dee Loflin or drop at Parks Office)
To Help with Golf Carts (Contact Mark Stidham or Dee Loflin)
To Donate use of pop-up tents (Contact Mark Stidham)
To Drive in Run to the Wall (Be at Hickory Log 12:45 pm Sunday, August 10th)
To Donate money for flags (Contact Dee Loflin)
Manual Labor – Monday, August 10th 1:00 p.m. (Contact Mark Stidham)
Photo by Jessica Loflin on a recent trip to Washington, D.C. 2015.
