Vietnam Memorial Wall slated for GCC

Genesee Community College will host a variety of activities in September designed to honor Vietnam veterans as well as individuals who have served in the U.S. military over the years.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall, a replica of the famed Memorial Wall in Washington, will be constructed on the Batavia Campus September 26 to 29. The replica is 80 percent of the size of the original wall in Washington. Like the original Wall, it lists the names of service men and women who lost their lives in Vietnam. Area citizens are welcome to view the Wall, and make rubbings of sections of the Wall. It will be located on the south lawn along College Road. Plans also call for a large twenty by forty foot POW-MIA flag to be displayed from a crane located near the wall. The events are sponsored by local chapters of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

Other activities, all free and open to the public, include a Patriotic Music Concert by the Keystone Club Police Pipes and Drums, Friday, September 27, at 7:15 p.m. A Veterans Honor Ceremony will be held Saturday, September 28 at 2 p.m. The ceremony will include a massed color guard, an aircraft flyover, and a guest speaker to be announced.

There will be a Patriotic Concert by Mighty St. Joe's Alumni Drum Corps on Sunday, September 29 at 1 p.m. More than 500 area motorcycle riders will complete an honor ride and converge on the grounds after the ceremony.

A Candlelight Service honoring POWs and MIAs along with Closing Ceremonies are scheduled for Sunday, September 29 at 8 p.m. There will be military exhibits on the grounds and daily performances of The Wall: A Pilgrimage by the Wyoming County Bicentennial Singers.

"We are proud to host these activities honoring our veterans and celebrating our unity as a nation," said GCC President Stuart Steiner. "I join our many area veterans in inviting the public to visit the college between September 26 and 29 and commemorating the sacrifices of our veterans with us."