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The Wall is a healing place

Ihad the honor to volunteer at The Wall That Heals this weekend at the Meskwaki Settlement School. I missed it when it was in Marshalltown at the Veterans Home. It was an incredibly moving experience. The Wall That Heals is a ¾ replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. The Wall memorializes the 58,281 names of service people who were killed in the Vietnam War. This includes those killed and the 1,584 who remain missing from the Vietnam War.

I worked in the outfield of the baseball field where the wall was located. I downloaded the app from Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to help people if they were looking for a specific name on the wall. When I used the app, I realized that I could search by more than just the name. I searched for the names of those from Marshall County who were listed on the wall. I found the names of 14 servicemen listed.

During my time working in the field and helping the guests find names on the wall, I took a few minutes to find each name and reflect on the incredible sacrifice these young men from Marshall County gave for us. I wanted to share with you the names of these Marshall County men. I hope that you will take a minute to think about them and their ultimate service.

Darrel Gene Bittner, age 25, Marshalltown, Army, Sergeant; Jack Larell Collins, age 22, Melbourne, Army, Specialist 4; Harvey Woodford Gilbert, age 21, Marshalltown, Army, Private First Class; Darwin Lee Judge, age 19, Marshalltown, Marine Corps, Lance Corporal; Robert Douglas King, age 39, Marshalltown, Army, Warrant Officer; Randy Lee Mast, age, 21, Marshalltown, Army, Sergeant; William Russell McKibben, age 26, Marshalltown, Army, Captain; David Lynn Rutgers, age 22, Marshalltown, Marine Corps, Private First Class; John Edward Slater, age 22, Marshalltown, Marine Corps, Second Lieutenant; Stanley Richard Smith, age 30, Marshalltown, Marine Corps, Major; Kenneth Wayne Tucker, age 21, Marshalltown, Army, Corporal; Richard Charles Westberg, age 23, Marshalltown, Army, Private First Class; Donald Dennis Weyker, age 22, Marshalltown, Army, Specialist 4; Dennis Neil Williams, age 20, Gilman, Navy, Hospitalman Apprentice.

My time at The Wall That Heals was only a few hours. I want to thank those who brought the wall to Marshalltown and to the Meskwaki Settlement. I talked with many people, some who had served in conflict or peace and many who knew those whose names were on the wall. Their stories touched me and gave me great respect for their service to our country. The Wall is truly a healing place.

——

Sue Cahill, a Democrat from Marshalltown, represents District 71 in the Iowa House of Representatives.

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