Opening ceremony held for traveling Vietnam memorial
BUTLER TWP — An opening ceremony was held today at the American Veterans Traveling Tribute behind the VA Butler Healthcare facility.
The traveling tribute is an 80-percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., which contains the names of 58,313 men and women who were killed in the Vietnam War.
At the ceremony, the names of the 43 Butler County veterans who were killed in action in the Vietnam War were read aloud.
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Another ceremony is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday, and more are scheduled for 9 a.m. and noon Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Former Pittsburgh Steelers running back and Vietnam War veteran Rocky Bleier will be the guest speaker at the end of the 9 a.m. service Sunday, said Butler County American Legion Riders President Dennis Christie.Visitors can leave notes or memorials behind that volunteers will take to Washington, D.C., next month, Christie said.Several Gold Star families were in attendance today to see their fallen relatives honored.John Weleski of Saxonburg was there in memory of his brother Martin William Weleski III, who was killed in 1968 at 19 years old.“It's nice to see so many people honor these men who got us where we are today,” he said.The replica wall is free to visit and is open to the public at all hours until noon Sunday.A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.
