Local residents working to bring Vietnam Wall replica to Franklin

All of the sudden, the letters stopped coming.

Kathy Ballou didn’t think much of it. As a young Girl Scout, she had been pen pals with a U.S. Army soldier from Alabama, Sgt. Larry Joseph Purcell, who was serving in Vietnam at the time. She would send him news from the United States, as well as packets of Kool-Aid that he requested — to make the muddy water where he was stationed bearable to drink. The whole idea was to thank him for his service.

When her letters didn’t get any reply, Ballou figured Purcell had been discharged, or had been transferred to another base. Only years later did she learn that he had been killed in 1968.

"Years later as an adult I was at the (Vietnam Veterans Memorial) in Washington D.C., his name was on there. I knew then what happened to him," she said.

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Ballou always had a profound respect for those who served in Vietnam, and particularly those who died in the war. Her appreciation drove a project that has been in the works for more than a year — to bring a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Johnson County.

This June, Ballou and a team of volunteer supporters have arranged for The Wall That Heals to come to Franklin. The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a mobile education center will be set up at the Johnson County fairgrounds from June 3 to 5.

Franklin has been announced as one of the 2021 locations for The Wall That Heals, one of 28 communities chosen to host the tour this year, and the only one in Indiana. But much work remains to have the memorial here, and organizers are asking for the community’s help to make it a reality.

"Now it’s crunch time, and I have to get all of this money raised. But it’s well worth it," Ballou said.

Since 1996, The Wall That Heals has been touring the nation to honor the more than 3 million people who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. The traveling exhibit bears the names of the 58,279 men and women who died in Vietnam.

The significance of The Wall That Heals is to ensure everyone can experience the memorial, no matter where they are, said Tim Tetz, director of outreach for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which organizes the exhibit as well as the memorial in Washington D.C.

"Not everyone is able to or desires to come to Washington D.C. There are people who are physically, emotionally, psychologically unable to come. As the Vietnam generation has aged, it has become even more challenging to them," he said. "Even for other generations, we have the ability to bring the Washington D.C. Wall experience to them."

Ballou first encountered The Wall That Heals nearly two years ago while attending an American Legion convention. One of the other participants told her that her city had just hosted the exhibit and what a meaningful experience it was, particularly for those who couldn’t travel to Washington D.C. to see the original memorial.

When Ballou learned about it, she wanted to give the Johnson County community the same opportunity.

"I felt drawn to the Wall anyway, so when I got home that Monday, I called Washington D.C. to get the ball rolling," she said. "There are so many people who would love to see it who would never be able to get to Washington."

The Wall That Heals replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7 1/2 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk toward the apex, just like the design of the memorial in Washington D.C.

Two paper directories list the names found on the Wall alphabetically. Visitors to the exhibit can do name rubbings of individual service member’s listed on The Wall, by day of casualty.

An education center tours along with the wall, helping to tell the story of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a divisive era in American history. People can see a blown up map of Vietnam to help identify the locations and battles discussed in the exhibit. A display focuses on some of the items left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., such as a soldier’s baby sweater left by his mother or postcards sent from the war zone.

"The goal is to educate people about the war and talk about the items left behind at The Wall, and really give everyone an experience that, even if you come to The Wall tomorrow and see it, you’re not going to get all of these things there, and understand more about the war," Tetz said.

Two of the more moving aspects of the education center are the Hometown Heroes display, which will feature photos and names of service members from Johnson County and surrounding areas, and the In Memory Honor Roll, showing photos of local Vietnam veterans who returned home and later died of Vietnam-related illnesses

Applications to host The Wall That Heals are only accepted once each year, on Memorial Day. Ballou worked on the project herself, finding out the requirements, searching for a site the exhibit could be set up and putting together plans for the application.

The work grew in scope, so Ballou sought others who might be willing to help. She has put together a team of nine people, and formed a nonprofit group, Wall That Heals Franklin 2021, to raise money to host The Wall That Heals. Between reserving the exhibit and paying for different requirements at the site, doing so can cost between $10,000 and $15,000.

The local planners — all volunteers — have already raised nearly $6,000, and is reaching out to people for donations to make up the rest. They have also planned fundraising events, including a purse bingo planned for March 24, and a motorcycle ride scheduled for May 15.

A large number of volunteers to help on the days of the exhibition will also be needed, and organizers have already started receiving names of those interested in giving their time.

Any money raised above the expenses to host The Wall will be donated to area organizations that offer veterans assistance.

"The money will stay here, it won’t go anywhere else," Ballou said.

Hours and hours of time has already gone into this project, and organizers foresee a great deal more before The Wall That Heals is set up in June. But that hasn’t dampened the excitement of those involved.

And officials from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund are anticipating the unique energy that Johnson County will bring to the exhibit.

"The thing we get excited about coming to a community is seeing how they respond and what they’re going to do that’s going to be different," Tetz said. "When you look at Kathy and the committee she’s putting together to bring the Wall to Franklin, they’re going to bring things to that event that are unique only to Franklin, whether they’re ceremonies, or individuals, or the way they recognize the local heroes." 

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The Wall That Heals

What: A 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., which travels to communities throughout the country with a mobile education center to pay tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War.

When: June 3-5, 2021

Where: Johnson County fairgrounds, Franklin

How to help: In order to bring the wall to Johnson County, a nonprofit called The Wall That Heals Franklin 2021 is raising money to pay for costs associated with hosting it.

Tax deductible donations can be made to the Wall That Heals Franklin 2021 account at First Financial Bank or send your donation to: Wall That Heals Franklin 2021, 1686 Preidt Circle, Franklin, IN. 46131

Upcoming fundraisers:

  • March 24: Purse bingo, 6:30 p.m., Moose Lodge 2079, 813 West Smith Valley Road, Greenwood
  • May 15: Motorcycle ride, 11 a.m., American Legion Post 205, 1100 Park Ave., Franklin

Information on donating and fundraisers: www.wall-that-heals-franklin-2021.com

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