By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—The city of Paris has begun prep work for “The Moving Wall”—the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial—that will be on display at Eiffel Tower Park over the Labor Day weekend.
Parks and Recreation employees Joel Crosno and Jay Hosford were at work setting up the base and foundation for the Wall this morning. Volunteer Wayne Clendenin of Paris, who is a Vietnam War veteran, has been helping with the prep work.
The Moving Wall is being set up in the grassy area beside the swimming pool, where it will have easy access to parking, restrooms and walkways. The city also has installed special lighting for it.
Parks Director Tony Lawrence told WENK/WTPR that bleachers and a stage will be set up for the opening ceremony, which is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, August 31.
The Moving Wall will be on display at the park beginning Thursday and ending at 1 p.m. Monday. A closing ceremony will be held noon September 4.
The Moving Wall is being hosted by the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce, which helped organize and fund it, with the help of volunteers and local service organizations.
Crosno said the city also will have golf carts available for people who are disabled or cannot walk the entire route of The Wall.
The Moving Wall will be manned 24-hours-a-day while it is here and Crosno said a tent will be set up where volunteers will be set up all the time. “They’re going to have maps and names of the people who are listed on the wall so that people can find a specific person. They also have paper so that you can do a rubbing of peoples’ names.”
Local veterans organizations have been holding meetings the past few weeks, organizing their volunteers for it.
The exhibit and ceremonies are free and open to the public.
Photo: Parks and Recreation workers Jay Hosford, left, and Joel Crosno, at work this morning setting the foundation. (McFarlin photo).