The Wall that Heals comes to Brooklyn

       Tyler Richton Geiger, far right, helps carry the last panel of The Wall that Heals during setup in Brooklyn on Wednesday, July 29. Photo by McKenna Thompson. All other photos came from various sources related to The Wall that Heals.

By Tyler Richton Geiger

           On Wednesday, July 29, I had the incredible honor of helping setup The Wall that Heals in Brooklyn. By pure chance, I was also able to help carry out the final panel. It was a humbling moment that I will never forget.
          As I looked around, I was struck by the number of people who gave their time to make this happen. Volunteers of all ages came together with one common purpose. It reminded me why I love living and working in a small town. When something truly matters, people simply show up. No one worries about who gets the credit. They just roll up their sleeves and get the job done.
          Please take a moment to thank all the volunteers and committee members who helped make this happen. An event like this does not happen without countless hours of hard work and dedication.
         Most importantly, thank you to every veteran who has served our country. Your courage and sacrifice have protected the freedoms that so many of us enjoy every single day.
      I also want to offer a special thank you to our Vietnam veterans. Many of you came home to circumstances that no service member should ever have experienced. While we cannot change the past, we can make sure your service is recognized, honored, and remembered.
         Hopefully you had a chance to visit and walk through The Wall that Heals slowly and read the names and reflect on the sacrifices they represent. It was a powerful reminder that freedom has never been free.