Closing ceremony of the Healing Wall

BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – The Healing Wall has made Bay County its final stop of 2024. The wall has been placed in more than 20 cities across the United States. The wall serves as a monument to those who made the greatest effort. Sacrifice during the Vietnam War.

It was removed Sunday after being on display at the Callaway Recreation Complex since Wednesday.

“Many veterans who pay tribute to the wall and their fallen brothers listed there,” said Bay County Veterans Council President Mike Lozon. “It was exciting and challenging but I’m a little sad it’s over, maybe in a few years we can get it back again.”

The wall was last located in the Panhandle in 2008. The names of those who fought for decades but never returned home were left out in the open so that they would not be forgotten. Some of the names on the wall are from Bay County.

“There are 58,281 names on the wall,” Lozon said. “They all made the ultimate sacrifices, some are still missing in action. No one knows if they will ever be found again.”

Thousands of people saw the wall on display.

“This outpouring was very emotional for the families whose names were written on the wall and many comrades in arms showed up,” Lozon said.

The wall reminds those in this community and others across the country of the wars and friendship that made this nation what it is today.

“In a community like this with so many veterans and so many military members, active-duty military has been a big part of that,” said Tim Tetz, outreach director for The Wall That Heals. “The experience is a rollercoaster of emotions and happiness that you can bring to the community. You have a moment of wonder as to whether people will see it for the first time or the last time. You also have sad moments, and it’s one of those beautiful things to experience that in a community, no matter how big or small. Having a wall here connects everything.

We have planned for years to bring the wall back to the Panhandle for a short time to honor those who have served a lifetime.

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