Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6, along with community support, will display The Wall That Heals (Traveling Vietnam Memorial), the Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance, and The Honor Wall – September 3-6, 2015.Â
The display will be located at the Westside Public Library (2000 W. Franklin St.). The walls will be open for viewing starting Thursday (9-3) morning & will close Sunday (9-6) evening at 6:00 pm. It will be open non-stop, 24/hours a day for the duration of the event in order to give everyone an opportunity to visit.
This event is to recognize the sacrifice of our brave service members and 1st responders, who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives to protect us and our freedom.  We hope to inform Americans about the sacrifices made to secure a free nation, and remind them that military personnel are fighting and dying still today. These walls serve to provide closure for vets who never got to say goodbye to fallen comrades in battle. They are also designed to help family members and friends that are still looking for closure and comfort. There are still many POW/MIA who are yet to return home and we need to tell their stories and promise they will never be forgotten.
Every evening there will be an opportunity for the public to lay a wreath in honor of our veteran’s. Â Items that are placed at The Walls will be labeled and taken to Washington, DC next spring where the will placed at the proper location.
2015 “Wall” Schedule
September 2, (Wednesday) Walls Honor EscortÂ
Escort staging area is at HWY 41 N & I64 (McDonald’s area @ 19700 Ushy Evansville, IN), please enter at stoplight & go to directed area. Staging starts @ 8:00 am & departs at 9:00 am.
Escort is open to everyone that would like to participate, bikes, cars & trucks are welcome.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff Department will lead the escort from HWY 41N to Lloyd Expressway West, turning on Wabash Ave & ending at the Westside Library (2200 W. Franklin St.).
Wall Set-up will take place following the escort.
September 3, (Thursday) Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony begins @ 6:30 PM
Welcome – Jerry Blake (President, Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
Posting of colors – VFW Post 1114
National Anthem – North High School Concert Choir
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation – Steve Kroeger (Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
Keynote Speaker – Congressman Larry Bucshon
Missing Man Table Presentation - Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6
Laying of Wreaths – Public
September 4, (Friday)
School Field Trips To Wall @ 9:00 AM
Evening Ceremony begins @ 6:30 PM
Welcome – Jerry Blake (President, Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
Missing Man Table Presentation - Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6
Laying of Wreaths – Public
September 5, (Saturday)Â
Candlelight Vigil Ceremony Honoring All Wars
Ceremony Begins @ 6:30 PM
Welcome – Jerry Blake (President, Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
National Anthem – United States Air Force Band
Pledge of Allegiance
Guest Speaker – Senator James Tomes (State District 49)
Amazing Grace – United States Air Force Band
Missing Man Table Presentation - Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6
Candlelight Vigil Ceremony - Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6
Laying of Wreaths – Public
Taps – United States Air Force Band
September 6, (Sunday)
Ceremony Is Dedicated to Our First Responders (Police, Sherriff & Fire Department’s & EMS)
Ceremony Begins @ 2:30 PM
Welcome – Jerry Blake (President, Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
National Anthem – Joshua Morgan
Pledge of Allegiance
Invocation – Ralph Wilkison (Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
Guest Speaker – Wendy McNamara (IN State Rep. House District 76)
Guest Speaker – Sergeant Greg Motz (Evansville Police Department)
Amazing Grace – Evansville Fire Department Bag Pipes
Lords Prayer – Joshua Morgan
21 gun Salute – VFW 1114 Honor Guard
Taps – Jim Cockrell (Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6)
The Walls will close at 6:00 pm Sunday evening.
About Rolling Thunder ®, Inc.
The major function of Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is to publicize the POW-MIA issue: to educate the public that many American Prisoners of War were left behind after all previous wars and to help correct the past and to protect the future veterans from being left behind should they become Prisoners of War/Missing in Action. We are also committed to helping American Veterans from all wars.
Rolling Thunder® has over 90 chapters across 33 states. Rolling Thunder® Indiana Chapter 6, based in Evansville, IN is the largest chapter with over 235 active members.
Contact
To learn more about this event, please contact:
Jerry Blake
Command Sergeant Major
U.S. Army, Retired
President, Indiana Chapter 6
Rolling Thunder, Inc.
812.453.0799
