Students get history lesson from Moving Wall in Sikeston

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Some history lessons don't come in a textbook.

Seventh and eighth grade students from St. Eustachius Catholic School in Portageville joined other volunteers in setting up the Moving Wall Thursday through a light mist of rain, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported.

The students had studied the Vietnam War, a conflict which ended long before they were even born. Helping as the Moving Wall was erected in Sikeston's Rotary Park made the war real, they agreed. The wall is a replica of the Vietnam War memorial in Washington, D.C. It will be on display at Sikeston's Rotary Park through Monday.

Eighth grader Caroline Samples explained: "I never realized how many people died, but when I saw all these names, I thought whoa! These people are the ones who fought for our country and for freedom for me."

Before leaving for the project Thursday, Caroline said she had asked her grandparents if they had known anyone whose name was on the wall. She was surprised to learn of two local soldiers who were on the list of more than 58,000.

That is part of the reason Francis Hulshof of Portageville, a veteran of the Korean War, said he originally forwarded the information to the teachers at the school. He explained it was the soldiers who fought in the Korean and Vietnam wars that helped halt the spread of communism.

The soldiers returning from Vietnam "didn't get any parades or respect," Hulshof added. "It is a little late, but they need to be recognized."

The youngsters' teacher agreed. "We just can't forget these people who gave their lives so unselfishly for the freedoms we have today," said Mary Rhoades.

She said the students decided they wanted to be a part of the Moving Wall. They raised money to sponsor one of the panels, then volunteered their time helping with the setup around the panels.

Landon DeLisle, also an eighth grader, worked to erect part of the fencing along the landscaped path. Pausing from his work, Landon surveyed the wall and said, "It is important to honor all veterans and all the men who gave their lives for us. This is to give them the respect they deserve."