Monday evening the Plymouth Park Department pledged their support to having the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall in Plymouth and Marshall County next year.
Mike Boys, co-chairman of a committee told the Park Board he saw the Wall in Warsaw and it was a very moving experience. After seeing it he thought it would be wonderful to bring it to Plymouth and Marshall County.
A committee has been created and includes Boys and co-chair John Pasley from the American Legion in Plymouth, Kevin Huff from the VFW, Bud Ross from the DAV, Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter, Greg Hildebrand from the Pilot News, Commissioner Mike Delp, Park Board President Dave Morrow and Park Superintendent Mike Hite, Mike Woolfington the former director of Tourism for Marshall County, Plymouth Fire Chief Rod Miller, Police Chief Dave bacon, Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel, Pam Schwizer-Betz the county’s Veteran Service Officer and a representative from the National Guard Armory.
Boys told Park Board members the requirements are many and he must provide a primary location and alternative location for consideration by the Moving Wall organization. He said the committee would like to have the wall in River Park Square with a location in Centennial Park as a backup. Since the wall is over 300 feet long and over 6 feet high at its highest point it will require a large un-obstructive area of 400 feet by 200 feet on level ground.
The wall would arrive in town on a Wednesday and be set up on Thursday. It would open at noon on Thursday and be open 24 hours a day until 3 p.m. on Sunday. While the wall is open it must have 24 hour security and lights. There must be a tent for information and one for first-aid along with communication.
Total estimated cost to bring the Moving Wall is $20,000 to $25,000 and Boys said they will need lots of community support to bring the wall next September.
While the Park Board was supportive of the plan they didn’t approve the project asking the committee to work with the park superintendent to find the two locations.
