Vietnam vets sought to take part in Wall events

Fire Chief Phil Gridley, who is heading up the ceremonies portion of the activities surrounding the June 14-22 appearance of The Moving Wall in Mountain Home, is asking area ministers interested in providing prayers at the morning and evening services planned for the wall, to contact him.

Gridley also is urging local choirs or other singing groups to call him at 587-2117 if they want to sing the national anthem at the morning ceremonies, or provide other musical numbers during the daily activities that will surround the appearance of the wall, a half-scale replica of the national Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.

He said that he will schedule groups who contact him on a first come first served basis. Twelve choirs or singing groups are needed for the morning and evening events June 16-21.

Gridley also is asking all Vietnam vets in the area to contact him. He is encouraging veterans of that war to take part in the ceremonies and would like to talk with them about ways in which they can participate.

The former Vietnam vet whon ow serves as the city's fire chief also is encouraging vets to contact the county museum to take part in its oral history project on Vietnam veterans.

Gridley also is asking any family member who lost a son or brother or father in Vietnam to contact him so that their family and loved ones may be recognized during the ceremonies.

Elmore County had six of its residents killed in the war, among the 217 Idahoans and 55,000 Americans who lost their lives in the conflict. They were: Clarence W. Stoddard, Jr.; Terence P. Thomas; Lonnie R. Mitchell; Michael L. McMaster; Jim C. McNamar; and Robert G. Yagues. Gridley is particularly interested in hearing from members of those families who have not already been in contact with him.