June 21, 2001

Contact: Dan Jack (509-963-2752/fax 509-963-3460/email: jackd@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - "To honor the men and women of the Armed Forces who served in the Vietnam War. To bring about a deeper appreciation for the loss endured by those individuals during the Vietnam War. To bring about healing for veterans, families of veterans and the community."

That is the mission statement of the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial, which will be brought to Ellensburg for Central Washington University's 2001 Homecoming. The Homecoming event, titled "In Search of Legends and Heroes," is designed to honor CWU students who have served in the military at any time in the nation's history.

"This is a recognition and tribute that is long overdue," Dan Jack, CWU Alumni Association executive director, says. "Many alumni and former students at Central participated in the Vietnam War, from the very outset to its conclusion. We want them to know that what they tried to do to preserve peace was appreciated. The Vietnam Wall is a healing point. It's important for those who have never seen it to see it."

The "Moving Wall" is a half-size replica of the Washington, D.C., Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It was built by Vietnam veterans, who wanted those not able to visit the nation's capitol to be able to experience the wall. The first moving exhibit was unveiled 17 years ago. Now, there are three replicas displayed nationwide and abroad annually from March to December. They contain the names of more than 58,000 U.S. service personnel - including more than 1,000 from Washington - who never returned from Southeast Asia.

Jack, who has seen the wall several times, says it's as important for current CWU students to learn about what happened in Vietnam as what happened at Pearl Harbor.

"I'm big on history," he adds. "To understand the past is critical in developing and molding the future, so that you don't go back and make those same mistakes, or recreate what's already been done."

The wall will be on 24-hour display from 8 a.m., Monday, Oct. 22, until 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 27, at the International Flag Pavilion on CWU's Ellensburg campus.

"We chose that site for the ease of foot traffic - both students and visitors - in that area," Jack said, "and because there is available parking close by."