The Lockport Public Arts Council announced Tuesday that all personal items, mementos, and tributes left at the base of the Moving Wall during its recent display at the Kenan Center as part of the “I Was There: Unknown Stories of Vietnam” exhibit have been carefully collected and will be permanently preserved and put on display along with the large map of Vietnam bearing the hundreds of pins denoting the areas where local veterans were stationed during the war.
“The Moving Wall left Lockport on Monday for its next destination but left a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of all who experienced the power of the memorial, stated exhibit co-curator Ellen Martin.
Throughout the event, visitors left deeply personal items, including photos, notes, flags, flowers, painted rocks, personalized markers, college pennants and a POW bracelet at the base of the wall as distinct tokens of remembrance.
“Every item left at the wall represents a profound story of love, grief, and honor,” said exhibit co-curator Mary Brennan-Taylor. “We treat these items with the utmost respect. They are not discarded; they are historical artifacts that chronicle our community’s connection to those who served.”
The I Was There: Unknown Stories of Vietnam exhibit, located in the Kenan Center Gallery, is open to the public free of charge and may be toured during business hours Monday-Friday and on weekends 2-4 p.m. Wednesday hours for veterans only are Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. The exhibit’s last day is Sept. 20.