By Elizabeth Dubrulle
Correspondent

Although the Moving Wall is not slated to arrive in town until July, Goffstown residents are already coming together to ensure that its week-long stay is a success. A wide variety of individuals and community groups has answered the public library's call for volunteers to support the event.

WALL OF SACRIFICE - A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. will travel to Goffstown this summer. The half-size 'Moving Wall,' shown here at a Kentucky location, will be outside Goffstown High School from July 9 through 16. (Courtesy Photo)

Librarian Sandy Whipple is the guiding force behind the wall's sojourn in Goffstown and has led the organizational effort. Whipple was inspired to undertake the task by last year's theme for the statewide children's summer reading program, "Check out a Hero." While conducting research for the program, Whipple stumbled across a Web site about the Moving Wall.

Initially deterred by the expense of the project, Whipple forged ahead after receiving the support of her colleagues at the library and booked the wall for its next available date, July 9 though 16.

The Moving Wall is a half-sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Created and run by the Vietnam Combat Veterans, the wall has been traveling the country since 1984, spending a week at a time in more than 1,000 towns across the nation. Any group or organization can serve as a sponsor for the wall, although the time and money involved is significant.

The memorial will be located on the playing fields behind Goffstown High School, and will be open free of charge 24 hours a day during its seven-day stay in Goffstown. Volunteers will man the wall continually, acting as guides for visitors and helping people locate specific names on the wall or make rubbings. An opening ceremony on Saturday, July 9, at 4 p.m. will be followed by a concert, organized by Goffstown Main Street Director Cathy Ewing, at 5 p.m. During the week, volunteers will conduct a complete reading of all the names on the wall, which will last about 72 hours and require 200 readers. On Wednesday, July 13, at 8 p.m., there will be a candlelight service, and a closing service will occur on Saturday morning, July 16, as volunteers disassemble the wall. Whipple is hoping some trumpeters will step forward and offer to play taps every sunset the wall is in town.

The wall has traveled to New Hampshire just three times before. Nevertheless, the staff at the public library was confident that Goffstown residents would turn out to support the wall's visit.

"We knew that people would come forth," said Whipple, an impassioned spokesperson for the importance of the Vietnam War era in our national history. She is also quick to point out the local significance of the wall, citing 225 New Hampshire names among the more than 58,000 listed on the wall.

Two Goffstown residents - Frank Badolati and Richard Godbout - lost their lives in the conflict, as did one New Boston resident - Ronald Davis. Whipple hopes to have members of these soldiers. families participate in the ceremonies planned in association with the wall's visit, but has been hesitant about contacting them directly. "It's a difficult place to tread because emotions still run deep," Whipple said.

Few can deny the power the Vietnam War still exercises on the American psyche as the most divisive period in recent history. Saint Anselm College professor Matthew Masur teaches a popular history course on the Vietnam War and is quick to point out the importance of commemorating the era and coming to terms with our national past.

"Public memorials can promote reconciliation. The Moving Wall is particularly well-suited for this purpose, because virtually all Americans - both war hawks and doves - respect and admire veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country."

Whipple also acknowledged the healing powers of the wall.

"One of its purposes is to bring communities together, and it is certainly living up to it," she stated. "It truly takes a village to mount this kind of exhibition." In total, the library will need to raise about $10,000 to bring the wall to Goffstown, with $4,000 of this money going directly to the Vietnam Combat Veterans and the rest earmarked for associated costs. As of May 1, the fundraising drive had just reached the halfway mark, which Whipple felt is right on track.

"The response has been incredible," she said. "There have been so many stories within the story of the community outpouring of support."

In response to a letter-writing campaign to businesses and various local organizations and an initial press release announcing the wall's imminent arrival, the library has received several thousand dollars of donations, ranging from two checks for $1,000 each to another of just $3, "which just about broke my heart," Whipple said.

Many businesses around town have put out collection jars, and Maple Avenue Elementary School has launched its own effort, the "Power of a Penny" project: students will turn over the money raised to the library near the end of the school year.

Support has also come in the form of donations of time and services. Travers Village Eatery has offered to feed the volunteers during the course of the week, supplemented by numerous church groups and Girl Scout troops who have agreed to provide baked goods.

The Youth Detention Center, which has been working on a veterans. project all year, has volunteered to staff the wall for one night. The department of public works is helping with the necessary landscaping to put up the wall, and men from Public Service of New Hampshire are volunteering to do the lighting. Dave's Septic is supplying portable toilets at half price, and the Goffstown Truck Center has donated its services to run shuttles between parking lots and the wall for the two big ceremonies. The police and fire departments are managing public safety for the event. The Clergy Association is supplying candles. Some motorcycle groups have stepped forward and offered to escort the wall on its journey from its previous destination to Goffstown and then on to its next destination after its stay here. A Trinity High School student from New Boston has volunteered to make a video documentary of the week's events.

"The list goes on and on," Whipple said. All donations will be listed both in the program and on the library's Web site. Despite these contributions, there are still some additional needs.

"The printing costs for programs are substantial," Whipple said, "and we are also expected to house and feed the driver who travels with the wall for the week."

Organizers are hoping to secure tents to cover the wall and its visitors in case of rain. Whipple said that a flagpole and tissues are also necessary, emphasizing once again the emotional impact the wall is likely to have on many people.

The level of community involvement has already had a powerful effect on Whipple, who was moved nearly to tears when speaking of some of the support she has received from the town's residents.

"Bringing the wall here helps us think about war and where we're going," she said. "There's a price to pay for our freedoms and these names are it. It's a wonderful opportunity to honor and respect those who are still willing to put their lives on the line for all of us."