THE MOVING WALL | Events in Columbiana

The Moving Wall, a nonprofit replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be in Firestone Park in Columbiana from Thursday through Monday to commemorate the actual Wall's 25th anniversary. The wall commemorates the 58,228 men and women who gave their lives during the war or remain missing. Viewing is permitted 24 hours a day. No solicitors, advertising, food, drink or pets will be permitted around the Wall area. Taps will be played at the end of each day at 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Here is the tentative schedule of events:
THURSDAY
10 a.m.: Members of Rolling Thunder, a charitable organization that advocates for America troops, veterans and POWs/MIAs, and Vietnam veterans motorcyclists will escort the caravan from the Dutch Haus Inn to the city square and then to Firestone Park.10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: The wall will be erected by veterans, Rolling Thunder members, and community volunteers.1 p.m.: Viewing begins.3 p.m.: Military memorabilia display opens.5:30 p.m.: Patriotic music by South Range High School Band.6 p.m.: The opening ceremony will include former city Mayor Richard Simpson, a Vietnam Navy veteran, as the master of ceremonies, welcoming by current Mayor David Spatholt; the Presentation of Colors by the 910th Air Wing honor guard; the invocation by Phillip Kinsey, chaplain for the American Legion and Veteran of Foreign Wars, a flag raising by the Ladies Auxiliary of American Legion Post 290; the national anthem sung by Sarah Burgess of East Palestine during a military fly-over by the 910th Air Wing; and unveiling of the Wall. Kinsey, an Army veteran of Vietnam who operates LZ Refuge Vet and Community Center, a nondenominational service outreach organization in Leetonia, also will be the guest speaker. The Columbiana High School choir will sing "God Bless America." There will be a remembrance ceremony, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence, a gun salute by 910th Air Wing's honor guard, taps and a benediction.7 p.m.: Reading of the names listed on the Wall begins.
FRIDAY
8 a.m.: Reading of the names continues.10 a.m.: Visits from area schools.6 p.m.: Evening ceremony with Air Force Vietnam veteran Alex Snyder, a former Columbiana councilman, as master of ceremonies. The speaker will be State Sen. Jason Wilson of Columbiana, D-30th. American Legion Post 290 will lay a remembrance wreath.
SATURDAY
8 a.m.: Reading of names continues.2:45 p.m.: There will be a Marine Corps ceremony and laying of a wreath.3 p.m.: Wilson will be the master of ceremonies. There will be patriotic music. Col. Don Salvadore will discuss the history of the POW/MIA flag, and State Sen. John Boccieri of New Middletown, D-33rd, an Iraq War veteran, will speak. Members of Columbiana County families with names on the wall will place a carnation in remembrance of the fallen.
SUNDAY
8 a.m.: Reading of names continues.6 p.m.: Closing ceremony. Snyder will be the master of ceremonies. There will be patriotic music. The speaker will be Col. Timothy Thomson, commander of the 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Vienna. Local service members will be recognized, followed by a gun salute by 910th Air Wing honor guard and taps.9:30 p.m.: There will be a religious service and candlelight vigil.10 p.m.: Memorabilia display closes for the day, followed by taps.
MONDAY
8 a.m.: Reading of names continues along with visits from area schools.2 p.m.: Closing ceremony with Snyder as master of ceremonies, with remarks by Howard Stouffer, Navy Vietnam veteran. There will be a gun salute by American Legion Post 290, which also will retire the colors. The reading of the names will conclude, and The Wall will be dismantled.
Source: Alex Snyder of Columbiana, Vietnam veteran