Kent American legion post 496 and the central portage county visitors bureau have joined forces  to sponsor the "American veterans traveling tribute" coming to Kent. 

the "traveling  WALL" IS COMING TO POST 496 IN KENT OHIO ON THURSDAY, MAY 18. 
THERE WILL BE AN OPENING CEREMONY ON may 19 BEGINNING AT 5:45 PM.
A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY EVENING,  may 20.
AND
THE DEDICATION CEREMONY WILL OCCUR ON SATURDAY, MAY 21 AT 11:00 AM.

The purpose of the "traveling tribute" is not to glorify war but to pay homage to those who served their country.  to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life, the "tribute" insures their memory shall never fade.


The "Wall" has arrived at Post 496 in Kent, Wednesday, May 18, 2005


The "Wall" is open for viewing, May 19, 2005

The following pictures are of paintings which can be seen under the tent.


Ron Green, Event Coordinator-John Wilson, Commander-John Caipen, Chaplain
at the Brief Opening Ceremony


The Ravenna VFW Post 1055 Honor Guard performs the closing ceremony. May 19. 2005


The Kent American Legion Post 496 Honor Guard raises the colors on Friday, May 20, 2005


Raising the flag on Dedication Day, May 21,Armed Forces Day


A portion of the crowd on Dedication Day, May 21, 2005.

I found the following poem attached to the wall and was so moved by it that I asked the writer if I could put it on the Post 496 website.  George gave his permission and  I trust you will be as affected by it as I was.
                                                                                                                                                    ..........Fred Allan

I’ve come back to say Hello Again;
To a fellow soldier, and long lost
            friend.
It’s been a few months since I’ve
            talked to you last.
But just seeing the Wall,
            brings back the past.
I look up and I see your names;
            I touch it, cover it, and once again
            I feel the pain.
But, the pain is good,
            it should be there:
            to remember a time that wasn’t fair.
A time where young people lost their lives,
            father, sons, brothers and wives.
A time when a country divided itself,
            causing the soldier in Nam, to question how he felt.
Sometimes my memories fade,
            and I get scared.
What if I forget?
            Will you think I never cared?
I touch your name,
            and I cry again.
My thoughts begin to drift
             to way back when….
When we were young and crazy,
            and had no way to tell…
That you would spend your last days on earth,
            in a place called HELL. 

George H. Veselenik
“68-69”: 173rd Airborne
Dedicated to:  Walter “Wally” L. Gawel
                        Harry H. Spencer
                        “The Broadway Boys” 

some wall statistics:

  • The wall is an 80% scale replica of the Washington DC Vietnam Memorial Wall.

  • It is the largest wall replica in the United States

  • The wall is almost 380' long and about 8' in height at apex when erected.

  • It contains the names of those men and women who died in Vietnam.

  • Construction of the wall began in 1996 and was completed in 1998.

  • Computers assist in locating names on the wall.

  • The wall averages over 30 shows per year throughout the United States.

  • The wall is the brainchild of Mr. Don Pennington, a Vietnam War Combat Veteran.