A Reminder from Otis Veterans
By Sandy Balayan
August 2025
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall recently made a visit to Lenox. The replica of the wall, a permanent fixture in Washington DC, honors the over 58,000 men and women who gave their lives in service to our country during the Vietnam war. The average age of the names on the wall is 22 years and 9 months. It is both sobering and profoundly sad to know that so many young people made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and never returned from their service. Family and friends of the 27 soldiers from the Berkshires whose etched names are forever memorialized on the wall were able to pay their respects at the wall and share stories with other families who understand the heartache of losing their family member to war.
Mark Johnson and Chris Dadek help unload a panel etched with names of their fallen comrades. Photo: Sandy Balayan
The permanent Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, almost 500 feet in length, was designed by architect Maya Lin and was dedicated in 1982. This touching tribute to our fallen soldiers is visited by over three million visitors a year and serves as a memorial to the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who perished during their tour of duty. The wall also honors the more than three million Americans who served in the Vietnam war.
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall has two separate exhibits that tour the country. Approximately 300 feet long, these two replica walls have been traveling around the country since 1984. As the tractor trailer with the wall approaches its next scheduled stop, veterans are asked to escort the procession. Otis veterans Mark Johnson, Chris Dadek and Jeff Laramy were among the escorts recently and helped to assemble the etched panels. This was both a proud moment and a poignant moment as they helped to honor their comrades in arms.
The procession behind the truck carrying the wall. Photo: Sandy Balayan
Thank you all for your service and although the wall will have left Lenox before the Otis Observer goes to press, please check the traveling wall website at https://www.travelingwall.us/schedule_of_appearances.htm to see their schedule as they continue to travel around our country. Hopefully, this effort and the permanent wall will provide healing to the families of our fallen veterans, and serve as a reminder to all of us of the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who served in our Armed Forces.
Mark Johnson, Chris Dadek and Jeff Laramy take a break after escorting the procession from Lee to Lenox. Photo: Sandy Balayan
