O&R,Con Edison Proudly Help Bring the Wall that Heals to Middletown; Vietnam Memorial Replica and Education Center Visit Runs Sept. 15-18
Orange & Rockland (O&R) and Con Edison have proudly joined a team of community business and civic organizations to help bring The Wall That Heals to Middletown, NY. This traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica and Mobile Education Center will be visiting Middletown from September 15 through 18.
Featuring a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., The Wall That Heals exhibit travels the nation to honor the over 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who perished in that war.
The Wall’s visit is hosted by the Knights of Columbus Saint Titus Brandsma Council #16519 of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Middletown. During its stay in Middletown, The Wall That Heals will be headquartered on the church’s grounds at 90 Euclid Ave.
Jim Knotts, President and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), said, “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Middletown to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall.”
O&R President and CEO Robert Sanchez, speaking on behalf of both O&R and Con Edison, said, “This visit by The Wall That Heals exhibit provides our community with a unique opportunity to unite in solemn reflection about those who gave their lives to protect the sacred ideals upon which our country was founded. We honor all members of the U. S. Armed Forces with sincerest gratitude for their service and their sacrifice. “
The exhibit will be opened to the public 24-hours a day, free of charge. Opening-day ceremonies begin Thursday, September 15 at 8 a.m. with the posting of colors. Tours and educational programming will begin at 9 a.m., followed by the official site opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Exhibit closing ceremonies will be held Sunday, September 18 at 1:30 p.m. For more information about The Wall and these events go to: twth2020.org.
The Wall That Heals replica is 375 feet long and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the center/apex, a key feature of The Wall in Washington, D.C.
Like the original memorial, The Wall That Heals is erected in a chevron-shape and visitors can do name rubbings of individual service names on The Wall. The replica is constructed of Avonite, a synthetic granite, and its 140 numbered panels are supported by an aluminum frame. Machine engraving of the more than 58,000 names along with modern LED lighting provide readability of The Wall, day and night.
As on the original Wall, the names of the deceased service members on The Wall that Heals are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side), work their way out to the end of the wing, pick up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and work their way back to the center/apex, joining the beginning and the end of the conflict at the center.
VVMF will work closely with community to maintain and exceed health and safety standards as established by the appropriate federal, state, and local authorities for this event.
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $14 billion in annual revenues and $65 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam to 3.5 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, N.Y.
Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), also a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc., is a regulated utility. O&R provides electric service to approximately 300,000 customers in southeastern New York State (where its franchise name is Orange & Rockland) and northern New Jersey (where it’s Rockland Electric Company) and natural gas service to approximately 130,000 customers in New York.