Vietnam ‘Wall That Heals’

Coming To Neahwa Park

ONEONTA  – Two years after Gene Schmidt raised the funds and installed a monument to Oneonta high school students who died in the Vietnam War, he’s bringing the “Wall That Heals” back to Otsego County.

“Last year, Princeton had 10,000 people come to the Wall,” he said during the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting earlier tonight. “With everything we have going on Memorial Day, I’m sure that number will be eclipsed here.”

The traveling Vietnam Memorial, which was in Cooperstown over Memorial Day weekend in 2013, will be erected in Neahwa Park from Thursday-Monday, May 25-29. “I’m surprised how many people don’t know what the wall is,” he said. “I have family, friends on that wall. We can’t let this be forgotten.”

Schmidt raised the money to bring the wall, and is working with Oneonta Police to plan a processional into town, as well as a ceremony Friday evening. “It’s an honor to bring it here,” he said.

“It’s a very moving thing when you see it,” said Tim Catella, chair of the commission.