Ceremonies officially opening the Dignity Memorial Wall exhibit at Calverton National Cemetery took place Friday evening, concluding with a candlelight service.
The three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall is on display at the cemetery through Sunday.
The traveling monument is a faux-granite replica of the memorial in Washington D.C. It stands 240 feet long and eight feet high and is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died or are missing in Vietnam.
Gold Star Mother Mary Langhorn of Riverhead, whose son, Medal of Honor recipient PFC Garfield M. Langhorn was killed in action in Vietnam in 1969, was a guest of honor at the opening ceremonies. She was presented with a green jacket by the Vietnam Veterans of America and a red rose by Michele McNaughton, president of the North Fork Chapter of Gold Star Mothers.
Rep. Tim Bishop and Assemblyman Fred Thiele were on hand for the ceremonies, which included a keynote address by the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery, Patrick K. Hallinan, and remarks by Suffolk County Judge John Toomey, who presides over the county’s veterans court, which was established to assist veterans struggling with alcohol or drug abuse and addiction.
Monsignor Charles Fink, of the Immaculate Conception Seminary, and a Vietnam veteran, read a poem he wrote shortly after returning from his tour of duty, “Bury Me With Soldiers.”
The West Point Brass provided a musical tribute.
Since 1990, the wall has been displayed in more than 200 cities around America. The exhibit is open to the public around the clock. There is no admission fee.
Ceremonies continue throughout the weekend: Saturday at 10 a.m., 12 noon, 2 p.m., and 6 p.m., with a candlelight services at 8 p.m., followed by a musical tribute by Suffolk County Police Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band; Sunday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The exhibit is sponsored by Dignity Memorial funeral homes and by the Support Committee at Calverton National Cemetery, with financial support from local businesses and fraternal organizations.
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Denise Civiletti
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