Te traveling wall came to the NIM in 2010 for the museum’s first anniver- sary. Ben Williams, president and chief operating officer, says visitors’ reac- tions to the traveling wall were so strong that
the National Infantry Foundation
approached Dignity, a funeral, cremation and cemetery service provider locally represented by Striffler-Hamby Mortuary and Parkhill Cemetery, about a long-term display. Foundation leaders began discussions
with Dignity again last fall and reached an agreement for a long-term display for a minimum of five years. “It is a great addi- tion for honoring soldiers and telling the history of the Army,” says Williams. Te plan is to have the wall installed
along the east side of Heritage Walk, the main walkway to the stadium that is lined with pavers. “It will feel like a solemn place, in keeping with the 4,000 plus pav- ers, many of which honor fallen soldiers,” Williams explains. Te Foundation has launched a cam-
paign called Enduring Reflection and hopes to raise $1 million to repair and restore the wall. Donations will also be used to create a hardscape infrastructure
Stacked stone was used throughout the common areas at the new Hampton Inn.
and an entrance plaza. Dedication of the monument is planned for Veterans Day, November 11, 2013. Tere has already been a lot of inter-
est from Vietnam era associations that are excited about the wall, according to Williams. “We anticipate it will signifi- cantly increase the number of reunions
and meetings of those groups,” he says. Te Foundation plans to work with the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau to reach out to those associa- tions. Laird points out that there is also a large contingent of retirees in the area and since Fort Benning is geographically close to three state capitals, some who
HEROES AMONG US
AUGUST 2013
Columbus and the Valley
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