Ten years after its initial visit, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Moving Wall is returning to Jefferson City next fall.
Members of the Jefferson City Veterans Council announced the return of the Moving Wall on Tuesday as part of the group's annual Veterans Day Observance in the Capitol Rotunda.
Don Hentges, council president, said he hopes the wall will inspire and move people as it did when the council brought it to the Capitol in 2005.
The Moving Wall is a half-sized replica of the wall in Washington D.C. and will be on the south lawn of the Capitol from Sept. 24-28. Organizers hope to attract more than 20,000 people to the memorial during that time. Hentges urged anyone to become a volunteer for the project, noting it takes more than 200 volunteers to staff the wall, which will be open for viewing at all times during the visit.
"We need everyone's support and volunteer help," Hentges said.
Hentges is a Vietnam veteran himself, serving in the U.S. Army from December 1967 to June 1969. Hentges was wounded in Vietnam in 1968 and lost a good friend during the same period.
"When I got home all I wanted to go was get back to work and forget about Vietnam," Hentges said. "But it's not something you forget."
Hentges said Veterans Day should emphasize the importance of educating young people about their freedoms and why they continue to enjoy them, urging others to assist and help veterans as part of their everyday lives.
"In my mind, every day is Veterans Day," Hentges said.
In giving the welcoming address, 3rd Ward Councilman Bob Scrivner, who stood in for Mayor Eric Struemph who was not present Tuesday, said he was both honored and humbled to be part of Tuesday's observance.
"Veterans have a type of love for their country and devotion to their flag like no other," Scrivner said. "Soldiers represent our nation and are proud to do so."
Anyone interested in volunteering should visit www.jeffersoncityveteranscouncil.org or call 680-5468 for more information.