AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall to be escorted into town by the Rolling Thunder
5/31/2018
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PARMA, Ohio – On Wednesday, June 27, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Traveling Vietnam Wall will be escorted to the Cuyahoga Community College Western Campus.
Between approximately 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., up to 1,000 motorcycle riders from Rolling Thunder, Inc. will meet at the Northbound Rest Area on I-71 at mile marker 225 in Brunswick to escort the Travelling Wall to the Tri-C Western Campus in Parma. The Wall is expected to arrive and depart the Northbound Rest Area at approximately 5:30 p.m.
Along with the up to 1,000 riders from Rolling Thunder, a University Hospitals helicopter will lead the escort to Parma from above while municipalities from Brunswick, Strongsville, Middleburg Heights and finally, Parma, will lead the escort from the ground.
The escort will take the Traveling Wall northbound on I-71 until the Bagley Road exit at mile marker 235. The group will then continue east along Bagley Road to the Tri-C Western Campus and enter the campus at the Pleasant Valley Road entrance.
“The City of Parma is honored and proud to be a part of bringing the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Wall to Tri-C,” said Mayor Tim DeGeeter. “I encourage residents to come out along the escort route and welcome the Wall with respect for those who died in this conflict. I’m sure it will be an emotional experience to see the Wall pass on its way to the campus.”
The Traveling Wall will enter the campus under an American Flag hoisted in the air by Parma and Parma Heights fire departments’ fire trucks. An Honor Guard will be present for the arrival of the Traveling Wall and residents can assemble for the Beltone Pledge of Allegiance after the Traveling Wall’s arrival.
The Traveling Wall will be on display on the campus of Tri-C West from June 28 at 1 p.m. until July 1 at 1 p.m. The Wall is open 24 hours a day during this time. The official opening ceremony is at 3 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. The event is sponsored by American Legion Post 703.
Said Rolling Thunder member and Vietnam Veteran John Hohne: “It's very important that people come out to line the route; it's a Hero's Welcome for the 58,479 who didn't make it home from Vietnam.”
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