The Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist church in Farmington, New Mexico, will be hosting The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in September.
Church members view this event as a way to reach out to the community in a meaningful approach by serving and working with them. They hope that lives will be touched, and the love of Jesus made visible to all who may attend.
The event is also a way to reflect on and honor veterans as many of them continue to deal with difficult memories and experiences, or have loved ones who have struggled with the impact the Vietnam War had on their lives.
The Wall That Heals is a traveling exhibit which honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U. S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Commenting about the church’s involvement in hosting the exhibit in Farmington, Pastor Wayne Gayton said, “This is a real opportunity to share the healing power of Christ’s love and to honor those who gave their all for the gift of freedom.”
The 53-foot trailer that transports The Wall That Heals will transform to become a mobile education center. The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall” and provides additional information regarding the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits will give visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall.
Local displays will include:
- Hometown Heroes – Photos of service members on The Wall who list their home of record from the local area
- In Memory Honor Roll – Photos of Vietnam veterans from New Mexico who returned home and later died of Vietnam-related illnesses and have been honored through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s In Memory
Piñon Hills will also be holding a prayer breakfast for community leaders. Dr. Dick Stenbakken, a veteran and retired Chaplain (Colonel) for the U. S. Army, will be a featured speaker. Stenbakken noted that “it is both important and essential for the Seventh-day Adventist church to be involved with community projects and programs. When we do so, we follow the example of Christ and His Ministry of Presence. ‘Being there’ tells the community that we care, and we are part of the community, not just disinterested observers.”
Members will be serving as committee leaders and volunteering during the event. Lillian Clopine, chairperson for church’s The Wall That Heals team, said, “Community members will have the opportunity to meet and interact with church members. We will be praying that the Holy Spirit will guide us through this process, that the event will honor God and touch lives, and that the attendees will come to better know the source of all healing—Jesus Christ.”
She added, “I am humbled we have been afforded this opportunity to serve our community and to touch lives with love and kindness by following our Lord’s example.”
The exhibit will be located on the San Juan College athletic fields and will be open to the public beginning at 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 9 through 2:00 pm Sunday, September 12. Admission is free and visitors can visit the wall anytime day or night.
To learn more about this event please email twthfarmingtonnm2021@gmail.com
— RMCNews with Lillian Clopine, chairperson for The Wall That Heals and a member of Piñon Hills Adventist church; photo supplied
