A five day event to “remember, honor and celebrate our community’s veterans and their families” kicked off Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark. Starting in Allendale, a large motorcade including dozens of motorcycles escorted an official half size replica of the Vietnam War Memorial “The Wall the Heals” to the ballpark in Grand Rapids Wednesday morning. The Wall that Heals is on loan from Arlington, Virginia, and is part of a series of events lasting through Sunday that aims to welcome home and honor military veterans, especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice.
“For 24 hours a day, it is going to give the people in this area and this region an opportunity to understand service and sacrifice, and remember the 58,318 Americans who didn’t come home,” Tim Tetz, the Director of Outreach for the Vietnam Vetrerans Memorial fund said.
Tetz was joined by a number of speakers to kick off the weekend of events, including Vietnam veteran and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient James McCloughan.
“On behalf of every veteran, thank you for your support to those men who have given so much to their country,” McCloughan said.
McCloughan is a South Haven native, and received the Medal of Honor from President Donald Trump in July for his bravery during the battle of Nui Yon Hill in Vietnam. As an army medic, McCloughan repeatedly ran into the battlefield and saved the lives of ten men despite being hit multiple times by enemy fire. He says, citizens of the United States have a responsibility to live their best possible lives out of respect for those who lost theirs.
“We are born to serve,” McCloughan said. “Not just military veterans. We all have to use the talents we have been given.”
McCloughan will be the keynote speaker Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Wall that heals official opening ceremony will be held Thursday evening at 6 pm at the ballpark.
