A culinary taste of Lynbrook

Lynbrook officials are bringing the Vietnam Moving Wall — a half-size replica of the Vietnam Memorial Monument in Washington, D.C. — to the village in June. So far, officials have raised $6,000 — which leaves them $19,000 still to go.

“We need to help the vets and show our respect for all their dedication and patriotism,” said Lynbrook Trustee Alan Beach, who, along with the Western Long Island Detachment Marine Corps League, is spearheading the effort to bring the Moving Wall to Lynbrook. “They’ve never been properly thanked by the public. This is also referred to as ‘The Healing Wall’ because, even after all these years, it’s like a Band Aid to these veterans.”

The fundraiser the village is hosting, “Culinary Delights of Lynbrook” was held on Monday, May 24 at the St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus Hall, 78 Hempstead Avenue, Lynbrook, and showcased delicious samplings from many restaurants in the village. Supporters tasted an huge assortment of foods, desserts and wines. The place was packed! All proceeds will go toward bringing the Moving Wall to Lynbrook.

Beach added that the community has been supporting the cause, but they still need more. “People have been giving five, ten bucks, whatever they have just to help,” Beach said. “It really helps the veterans.”

Jan Scruggs, a Vietnam veteran, came up with the idea of building a memorial in the nation’s capital.The Moving Wall was completed in October 1984 after taking two years to build. As of January 1, 2010, there are 58,262 names on the memorial. About 1,300 of these are still unaccounted for prisoners of war and missing in action. It is dedicated to the 2.7 million men and women who served in the U.S. armed forces in Vietnam.

The overall length of the Moving Wall is 253 feet, which is slightly longer than half the length of the Memorial in D.C. It is comprised of 74 frames, 70 frames contain two silk-screened panel. Each of the two walls that make up the entire wall is 126.5 feet long

The Moving Wall will be available for viewing 24 hours a day, starting on June 10 and ending on June 13 in Greis Veterans Memorial Park in Lynbrook. The village will also use the recreation center to house an exhibit of Vietnam-related history and memorabilia.

Thursday, June 10 will be declared “Lynbrook Remembrance Day,” with ceremonies at 7 p.m.; On Sunday, June 13, at 5 p.m. a “Massing of Colors and Parade” will be held, with guest speaker Rocky Bleier, Pittsburg Steelers four-time Super Bowl champion, who is also a Vietnam vet, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient. Closing ceremonies will be at 7 p.m.

If you were not able to attend the culinary event, but would still like to help, call Village Hall at (516) 599-8300 ext. 201 and ask for Moving Wall Lynbrook Coordinator, Trustee Alan Beach.

Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.

Photos by Brian Alevis/Herald