The ‘Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance Traveling Memorial’ comes to Connecticut for the very first time with a four-day visit to the West Hartford Town Hall.

The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance will be in West Hartford from Aug. 25-28, 2016. Submitted photo

Submitted

On Aug. 25-28, non-profit organization Rear Area Support Foundation Inc. (RASF) and the Connecticut Friends of Veterans, Inc. will Escort the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance traveling memorial and set it up for display at West Hartford’s Town Hall front lawn, 50 South Main St., to honor all of our veterans, the families of our fallen and those presently serving our nation.

The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance will be in West Hartford from Aug. 25-28, 2016. Submitted photo

The memorial is 116 feet long and 6 1/2 feet high with two sides. Side one is a full color timeline education about the Global War on Terror spanning from 1983 to current day. The second side bears the names of all the military, heroes and victims from Beirut, Gulf War, 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ft. Hood, Boston, Chattanooga, Paris and San Bernardino totaling almost 11,000. First displayed 9/11/2001 this memorial has now traveled over 100,000 miles and been on display in 35 states. Founder Richard JR Nichols made a promise that he would get this memorial within 50 miles of each fallen person whose name is inscribed on it.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, around 11 a.m., motorcycle riders, most of them veterans, will escort the traveling memorial to West Hartford Town Hall. At least one biker will ride for each of the Connecticut names on the wall representing military personnel, police, firefighters and civilians who have died as a result of war and acts of terrorism over the last three decades. After the wall is setup, it will be available for viewing twenty-four hours a day through Sunday, Aug. 28, at 3 p.m.

On Friday, Aug. 26, at 7 p.m., the four-day event will officially commence with an opening ceremony. The Rear Area Support Foundation Inc. (RASF), the Connecticut Friends of Veterans, Inc. and distinguished guests from all military branches will be on hand for this event.

Master of Ceremonies, Gil Simmons, USMC Veteran 1990-1996, Morning Meteorologist WTNH/News 8 will start off the ceremony.

• Color Guard from 2nd Battalion 25th Marines Fox Company out of Plainville, CT will post the colors.
• National Anthem will be sung by Rev. M. Yvette Early, Mt. Calvary Church Ministries and Outreach.
• Opening Prayer by Minister Dana Hallenbeck, Zion Lutheran Church, Manchester, CT, Chaplin for the CT State Police, and Manchester CT Police Department.
• Opening Remarks by JR Nichols Founder of the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance. – Guest Speakers will include: Congressman John Larson, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor, Webster Bank Senior Vice President Denise B. Hall, CT Veterans Commissioner Sean Connelly, Asst. Police Chief Dan Coppinger, Fire Chief Gary Allen, Retired USMC First Sergeant Ben Grainger, Gold Star Family Leesa and Raymond Philippon.
• Gold Star Mothers Wreath placement by Mary Kight and other Gold Star Mothers.
• Melody by the West Hartford Fire Department Bagpipers, Taps, and Retire the Colors.

In addition to the Opening Ceremony, there will be ceremonies, programs and performances that will be part of this commemorative weekend dedicated to honoring all of our veterans and those presently serving our nation. We expect to have over 15,000 veterans and civilians in attendance.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, at 8 p.m., A special Candlelight Vigil and Ceremony will be held to remember those who sacrificed their lives, to honor those who fought in wars past, and those who continue to serve our country today.

On Sunday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m., There will be a special Closing Ceremony which will include the Connecticut Antique Veterans.

Traveling around the nation, founder JR Nichols of the nonprofit Rear Area Support Foundation of Placentia, Calif., said his crew has heard moving stories from those visiting the wall: of three sisters on 9/11 who all were at the Twin Towers in New York, only two of whom survived; of an airline pilot who was supposed to be on one of the hijacked planes that day but called in sick; and of a Pentagon worker who escaped death because she had not yet received the paperwork needed to transfer her to that area of the complex where one of the hijacked jets struck.

“The wall serves to provide closure for vets who never got to say goodbye to fallen comrades in battle,” Nichols said. “But it also educates Americans and reminds them that military personnel are still fighting and dying. We just hope to reach in and heal those hidden wounds that nobody talks about.”