LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
DANA, Ind. — The Vietnam Traveling Memorial War is coming to the Wabash
Valley.
Sponsored by the board and staff of the Friends of Ernie Pyle WWII Museum
at Dana, Ind., in cooperation with International Paper, the scale model of the
national monument in Washington, D.C, will be open for 66 straight hours 9
a.m. June 9 through 9 p.m. June 11 at International Paper Family Park, 4840 S.
360 E., Hillsdale.
There is no cost to attend this event and it would not be possible without
many additional sponsors and volunteers.
For those needing some extra assistance, golf cart shuttles from the parking
area to the information tent are available. From there, if needed, scooters are
available at no cost to help make it possible for all to pay their respects.
Visitors to the Wall are also encouraged to visit the Ernie Pyle WWII Museum
at Dana. For the event weekend the museum will have extended hours of 10
a.m. – 7 p.m. June 9 and 10 and noon-7 p.m. June 11. The Ernie Pyle Museum is
always free and is open now through Veterans Day weekend.
The Wall will travel a special route June 7 through most of Vermillion County
communities, with an Indiana State Police escort, before arriving at Hillsdale.
Here is the travel schedule, all times are estimated for departure and arrival:
Depart Beef House, Covington, 5:30 p.m. arrive Perrysville 5:40 p.m.;
Depart Perrysville 5:45 p.m., arrive Cayuga 6 p.m.;
Depart Cayuga 6:05 p.m., arrive Newport 6:20 p.m.;
Depart Newport 6:25 p.m., arrive Dana 6:40 p.m.;
Depart Dana 6:43 p.m., arrive Bono 6:45 p.m.;
Depart Bono 6:45 p.m., arrive St. Bernice 6:50 p.m.;
Depart St. Bernice 6:50 p.m. to Blanford 6:55 p.m.;
Depart Blanford 7 p.m. to Centenary 7:05 p.m.;
Depart Centenary 7:07 p.m. to Clinton 7:12 p.m.;
Depart Clinton travel to Main Street to White Construction 7:15 p.m.;
White Construction to County Road 360 East 7:25 p.m.;
Arrival International Paper Family Park 7:30 p.m.
Daily program schedule while in Hillsdale
June 9
10 a.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; national
anthem by South Vermillion Middle School Choir; keynote speaker Lonnie
Bedwell, a blind military veteran, who recently scaled Mt. Everest.
6 p.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; presentation
“Who was Ernie Pyle?”
7 p.m. music with veteran Jack Shannon.
10 p.m. taps by Wyatt Pate.
June 10
10 a.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; national
anthem Ashlea and Rachel Chubb; opening comments by Phil Boots, Vietnam
veteran; recognition of all veterans who should arrive between 8:30-9:45 a.m.
and sign in; special recognition of the family of Ron Bapp, the sole Vermillion
County resident killed in action in Vietnam.
6 p.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; reading of Ernie
Pyle works by Phil Hess, Friends of Ernie Pyle Board Member; quilt
presentation, Old Glory Quilters of Parke County.
7 p.m. music with veteran Jack Shannon.
8 p.m. music with Dylan Riggen.
10 p.m. taps by Wyatt Pate.
June 11
10 a.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; national
anthem, Halea Chubb; music by Note-able Evenings.
6 p.m. program: Pledge of Allegiance by Boy Scout Troop 463; Ernie Pyle
Program; special recognition.
7 p.m. music with veteran Jack Shannon.
9 p.m. taps and echo by Wyatt Pate and Jager Robinson.