The Shadow
COVINGTON Va. (VR) – A couple of weeks have passed since one of the greatest events in recent Covington history took place.
The Wall That Heals creates a remarkable moment of history anywhere blessed enough to receive approval from its creators. Somehow though, the wall and Covington together created an almost magical feel, whether it was the patriotism that flows through the hearts of the great people that make up the Alleghany Highlands or the majesty of the surrounding mountains and small hard-working city feel that is the backbone of our great country. The Wall That Heals fits into our community like it was built just for it.
So much of the credit for its success goes to the veteran whose idea came to fruition the day those motorcycles and police vehicles paraded the wall through the area and into our hearts on their way to the Jackson River Sports Complex. Shawn Wright, Commander Curtis A Smith VFW Post 1033 decided to apply for the memorial almost a year ago at Jack Masons Tavern with a fellow veteran and friend Bill Atherholt, who, after being assured by Wright that she wanted to do it has helped her all along the way.
Wright knew it would be a huge undertaking requiring an unimaginable amount of work and help along the way. Fortunately for her and her team, the Alleghany Highlands and the veteran community take care of their neighbors because she had enough people volunteer their time that the Wall That Heals was staffed 24 hours a day for the four days it was here and had plenty of help for setting up and taking down the memorial when its honorable time with us was at an end.
Since the last day when the wall was escorted out of our area, Wright has had time to reflect on how incredible of a journey the venture had been and all of the wonderful people who took time out of their busy lives to make it all possible, starting back to that evening at Jack Masons. From that time of reflection came the idea of holding a thank-you luncheon for everyone who had a hand in making it the incredible event it was.
On Oct. 26, everyone who volunteered was invited to the Family Life Center for a meal catered by the Friendly Fork. Of course, not everyone could attend, but the 30 or so wall volunteers who were in attendance were treated to a great lunch with gourmet sandwiches, delicious cheese and cracker platters, and a wonderful array of fruits and vegetables. The best part though had to be time spent reminiscing over times spent volunteering at the wall over the four days it was there.
Stories were told of things witnessed like children admiring and making copies with paper and crayons of the names etched into the wall or listening to Vietnam veterans talking about things they had experienced or witnessed. It was easy to see that everyone who volunteered was gifted with incredible memories during their time at the wall and that all involved were honored to have been a part of it.
One moment that brought a tear to everyone’s eye came when Bill Atherholt went out to his truck and got a bouquet which he presented to Wright to let her know how much he appreciated her hard work and just how much it meant to every veteran who attended and continued the healing process.
