Despite Heavy Rainfall, Henry County Honors Those “Who Gave Their All”

By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Despite a heavy and steady downpour, a large crowd gathered at the Eiffel Tower Park Thursday afternoon for the opening ceremony for The Moving Wall.
An exact replica of the Vietnam War Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., The Moving Wall contains all 58,000 names of the veterans who “gave their all”, in the words of Speaker Georg Todd of Paris. Todd spent over two decades in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving more than one tour in the Vietnam War. He earned a Silver Star, Purple Heart and numerous other military medals and retired as a Gunnery Sgt.
The Moving Wall, he said, reminds us “that freedom is not free”.
Former Henry County Sheriff’s Deputy Rod Frey—also a Vietnam War veteran—read the names of the 20 Henry Countians who lost their lives in the war, accompanied by a bell ringing for each name.
The Moving Wall was installed in the park all day today after a law enforcement escort. Even though The Wall has only been up for a short while, memorials are already popping up along the route of the wall in tribute to local veterans, including a bouquet of roses.
As he surveyed the crowd before the ceremony, Leo Horne, Commander of Legion Post 89 in Paris, said, “Looking at all these umbrellas really shows you how much this community cares.”
State Rep. Tim Wirgau told the crowd, “Not everyone can go to Washington, D.C. and see the actual wall and I’m really thankful to all who played a part in bringing this here.”
Henry County Mayor Brent Greer and Paris Mayor Carlton Gerrell both thanked the Paris-Henry County Chamber for sponsoring the display, the city of Paris and all the volunteers who helped with the installation.
Local veterans’ organizations participated in laying of the wreath, the color guard and a ceremony recognizing the veterans who are still missing. The Henry County High School Madrigals performed the national anthem.
Photos: Top, Georg Todd speaks; Rod Frey recites names of the 20 Henry Countians killed in the war; a view of the crowd. (McFarlin photos).