In the context of the the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall, the word moving has a double meaning.
The wall is mobile. It ended its five-day visit to Missouri's Capitol lawn on Monday.
In addition, area residents who visited the memorial described the experience as moving - spiritually, emotionally and sometimes therapeutically.
We extend our appreciation to the countless volunteers who made this experience possible for so many Mid-Missourians. The Moving Wall is a traveling, smaller-scale version of the memorial in Washington, D.C.
Volunteers helped assemble and take down the 74 aluminum panels that form the 252.8-foot wall, as well as the tents housing informational services and associated displays.
Among other contributions, volunteers participated in opening and closing ceremonies, read names of the 58,272 men and women listed on the panels and helped visitors locate the names of specific military men and women who were killed or remain missing in action.
Although many military veterans were among the volunteers, a cross-section of the community was represented, including representatives of businesses and organizations, as well as students.
During our repeated visits to the memorial, we were impressed with the number of volunteers and their eagerness to offer assistance and, in some cases, discuss their military service in Vietnam and their connection to the memorial.
"We couldn't have done it without the community," said Don Hentges, president of the Jefferson City Veteran's Council.
We also commend the visitors, who demonstrated a profound regard both for the memorial and fellow visitors. Hentges estimated about 800 hourly visitors during peak times and about 400 during non-peak times.
A public setting can be intimidating for individuals who are experiencing a solemn moment or memory, but the shared respect and dignity was evident.
This was not the first time our state capital has hosted the Moving Wall, but nearly a decade has elapsed since its first visit in November 2005.
The outstanding community support among organizers, volunteers and visitors is a testament to the powerful magnetism of the Moving Wall.
The memorial invites us to learn, to remember, to honor and - as Hentges observed - to heal.