Hundreds come to see the wall

Ron Bartoli has been to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. five times, and it never gets easier.

As the military liaison committee chairman for Beale Air Force Base, he knows the 58,621 names on the wall represent a great sacrifice given to this country by U.S. soldiers, and a horrific sacrifice made by their families and friends.

"Each time is emotional," Bartoli said at Thursday's opening of the American Traveling Tribute Wall at the Colusa Indian Community Center. "Vietnam was a tumultuous time. The country was divided and the military did all that we asked of them and more."

Hundreds from Colusa, Glenn and surrounding counties attended the ceremony, where representatives of Colusa Casino Resort and Colusa Indian Tribal Council unveiled a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall and other displays honoring the fallen service men and women of 9-1-1 and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"As soon as I came to Colusa, I knew I had to bring the wall here," said Don Kennedy, Colusa Casino director of marketing. "I have nine friends on this wall."

Gloria Pogue of Colusa visited the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. in 1985, and tracing her beloved son's name on the replica more than 20 years later stirred the same emotion.

"It's going on 41 years since Michael died," Gloria Pogue said. "It doesn't get easier."

Michael Pogue is one of more than 24 young men from the area who were killed in Vietnam. He died January 31, 1968, while trying to pull a wounded soldier to safety. He was 19.

"Michael was a people person," Gloria Pogue said, after placing flowers and a photograph at the base of the wall. "He had a lot of humor, but he was down to earth. He was a caring person."

Just one panel over, representing about a week between deaths, Judy Holzapfel of Orland searches out the name of Pfc. Norman Kissinger, U.S. Army.

Before her longtime marriage to Glenn County District Attorney Bob Holzapfel, Judy Holzapfel was Kissinger's young bride.

"We grew up together and went to high school together," said Judy Holzapfel, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. "We were only married a very short time."

Kissinger was 22-years-old when he was killed Feb. 9, 1968. Holzapfel was 21.

"It's an emotional experience," she said about Thursday's visit to the tribute wall. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it."

In almost an eerie coincidence, below Kissinger's name is that of Norbert P. Holzapfel of Pittsburgh, Pa., perhaps an unknown relative of Judy Holzapfel's second husband and her children.

Norbert Holzapfel was also killed Feb. 9, 1968, in the battle of Lo Giang along with a dozen other soldiers of the 1st Infantry.

Steve Doty, American Veterans Traveling Tribute spokesman, said he makes it his mission to traverse the nation so that Americans can honor and pay tribute to the men and woman who sacrificed so much for their country.

"If we don't celebrate them, we diminish what they did," Doty said.

Nearly a dozen local dignitaries, including representatives of state leaders, spoke at Thursday's ceremony. Among those were Colusa Mayor Bob MacKaben, a Vietnam veteran, and Williams Mayor Pat Ash, who reminded those present of the debt of gratitude owed to those who serve.

"Never take for granted what we have, and never forget who gave it to us," Ash said.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute will be at the Colusa Indian Community Center until Nov. 16.

Among those listed on the Vietnam Memorial Tribute Wall are the names of 247 Native Americans, two of whom are still listed as missing in action.

TODAY'S EVENTS

6:30 a.m. Odd Fellows Breakfast, 506 Lucas St., Arbuckle
8:30 a.m. Colusa firefighters pastry breakfast, 750 Market St., Colusa
10 a.m. Opening ceremonies
Williams: Sacramento Valley Museum lawn, 1491 E. St.
Colusa: Memorial Park, 10th and Market Street.  
Arbuckle: Veterans Memorial Park, Fifth Street.
10:11 a.m. Countywide moment of silence
11 a.m. Colusa Firefighters colossal dogs, nacho lunch
            Food, presentations, children’s activities, Colusa and Williams
noon:  Dutch oven cook-off, Memorial Park, Colusa
1 p.m. Student and veteran presentations, Williams
1 - 4 p.m. Student, special presentations, Memorial Park, Colusa
3 p.m. Dessert contest, Memorial Park, Colusa
4 p.m. Closing ceremonies, retiring of colors, Colusa
American Traveling Tribute, consisting of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, Cost of Freedom Display and other exhibits will be open 24-hours through Nov. 16 at the Indian Community Center, 3720 Highway 45.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.