BRIDGEPORT – Bridgeport high schoolers and eighth graders from the middle school encountered a memorial of the service personnel who gave their lives in the Vietnam war when The Wall That Heals visited Belmont County’s fairgrounds Oct. 1-4.
Bridgeport Exempted Village School District bused students to an educational field trip Oct. 2, where they heard presentations at multiple stations that explored different elements of the conflict, from the draft to the controversy of the war and poor treatment of soldiers when they returned home.
Presenters explained the symbolism that went into every detail of designing the Wall.
The atmosphere was somber, with local veterans among the volunteers remembering those days. Students also saw small offerings of respect left in front of the Wall.
At the Wall itself, they were taught how to find specific names, and how those missing in action are designated.
Volunteers included Anne Haverty Lawson, retired Bridgeport Middle School principal who had been among the organizers working to bring the Wall to Belmont County and reaching out to area school districts about the educational opportunity. She assisted in directing the groups and delivered presentations.
Bridgeport High School Social Studies teacher Jason Hanson said his students were impressed to be standing beside so much history.
“The one word that comes to mind is ‘inspiring.’ First of all, that people still care about the stories from Vietnam, our history. That people are still inspired to volunteer their time and put in all the work to make this happen. It’s an incredible undertaking they’ve put out here,” he said. “To see the students being attentive to a generation or two older than them really is quite emotional.”
Hanson added the students were very engaged.
“I hope they take heed of some of the lessons that are being taught here, and I think its super easy to apply to their own lives.”
He pointed out some exhibits illustrating the lives of soldiers on duty overseas and their many sacrifices.
“The things that our high school students take for granted, that they get to do every day like play baseball,” he said.
“And some of them had that ultimate thing taken from them, which was their life, so I think it really hits home and I hope it hits home with our students, because that’s something you can’t teach in a classroom. You have to see it firsthand.”
He said the Wall looks like a simple monument, but every detail is symbolic, from the shape that calls to mind a wound, to the color and the placement in Washington D.C. to indicate the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial and the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
“I definitely want to have them go back and reflect,” he said. “Next week while it’s still fresh in their minds, definitely get their reflections, and toward the end of the school year when we actually hit the Vietnam War chronologically, we can come back and revisit this.”
Sophomore Logan Marsh found the trip eye-opening.
“It’s good that they’re having the Wall up. It teaches people about Vietnam and spreading awareness for that. It was a real cool thing they had,” he said.
“It’s just really great to see how much people are still remembering,” he said. “I’m glad they put it together and I’m glad Bridgeport let us go.”
Sophomore Peyden Graham said the memorial helps put history into perspective.
“It really makes me proud of what we’ve done as a nation, to really come together in those times of struggle, and after all these big, disastrous events like wars and natural disasters we can all come together and remember those who gave their lives for us,” he said.
“It doesn’t look very complex, but the meaning behind it is so much thought went into it, and once you really learn about it you realize how complex it really is, and that it’s deeper than just a black wall,” he said. “Those names are their relatives, their friends, close people, and it’s way deeper to them.”
SophomoreEndora McGee agreed.
“It’s really nice to memorialize all the people who died for us,” she said. She was also struck by seeing the many names of soldiers designated missing in action whose remains have yet to be found.
“It brings a lot of people whose families has died in this grief and closure to see that they’re being remembered and their service isn’t being forgotten.”
She added a recognition for all they have done was appropriate after the treatment of returning veterans following the war.
“It really helps the soldiers to know that they’re finally being remembered, because they didn’t get a welcome home when they came home for the first time,” he said. “This was a really nice thing. I’m glad Bridgeport let us go see this.”
Site manager Tim Tetz said his team was happy to be in Belmont County after a group including Bridgeport students encountered the Wall.
“The wonderful thing about students is they’re engaged and they’re spirited and they’re willing to learn so it’s a wonderful time and we love working with the students.”
Larry Barnes, commander of the St. Clairsville American Legion, said he was proud to have the Wall in Belmont County and to welcome the students. He added youngest name on the wall was only 15.
“A very good group.”
Cheryl Barnes, president of the St. Clairsville American Legion Auxiliary, agreed.
“Every group that has come here from the schools, they are very great children. They listen, they ask questions, they get them answered,” she said. “This is a learning experience I hope they take with them and they never forget.”
