The Traveling Kentucky Vietnam Wall was showcased at VFW Post 696 on Sunday, and going forward Commander Joey Benningfield hopes the organization can host the memorial annually as a way to remember those whose lives were lost in the war.
Benningfield said it was incredibly important for the VFW to have the traveling wall on display and is something they should do more often.
“A lot of our older vets here are all Vietnam vets, so we need to still honor our fallen. I’ve got my stepdad’s brother’s [name] out there,” he said.
Benningfield said observing the wall can be bittersweet, as its good for people to gather to remember lost loved ones but somber to read the names and know those individuals are no longer here.
The memorial has made trips to Owensboro in the past but the City has chosen other locations on the previous occassions. Benningfield said this year Mayor Tom Watson asked where he felt it was fit to be stationed.
“I said right here at the Veterans of Foreign Wars because those are our brothers and sisters out there,” Benningfield said.
He told the crowd that he vows to continue to bring it back to the VFW every year when it comes to Owensboro.
The traveling wall includes the names of the more than 1,100 Kentuckians who were killed in action, held as Prisoners of War, and those still Missing in Action from Vietnam.
When the wall made a stop in Owensboro in 2021, Kentucky State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America President Jack Mattingly said it was originally created for the many Kentucky veterans, family members and friends who couldn’t make the trip to Washington, D.C., to see the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Mattingly previously said visiting the wall is a solemn, emotional occasion for most people — especially for veterans.
The wall does not have a permanent home, traveling the state throughout the year. To learn more about the wall and schedule, click here.
