Moving Wall here Thursday

Hundreds of people, both local residents and travelers to and from the Black Hills, are expected to visit The Moving Wall in Newcastle from Aug. 13-17. The Wall, a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall replica, will be displayed at the proposed permanent Newcastle Veterans Memorial site at the intersection of U.S. Highways 16 and 85. The 253-foot memorial is slightly more than half the length of the original wall in Washington, D.C. Like the national memorial, it bears the names of more than 58,000 American service members who were killed, or remain missing in action, during the Vietnam War. Etched on the Wall are two of Weston County’s own: Robert Shuck and Steven Boal.

All who visit the Wall are encouraged to take rubbings of loved one’s names. The Wall’s presence in Newcastle is an opportunity to pay respects to the Americans who died in the conflict. The Wall will be open to the public throughout its stay.

The Newcastle Wyoming Veterans Memorial Committee is sponsoring and managing the event, led by Project Coordinator Kathy Levasseur. The Wall’s time in Newcastle is being funded in part by the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Grant Program and Weston County Travel Commission. The Weston County commissioners are serving as governmental sponsors, and Newcastle Mayor Tyrel Owens declared 2026 the Year of the Veteran in Newcastle.

This issue of the News Letter Journal also takes a step back in time to recognize not only those who served but also those in the community who offered their support in many ways, including publisher Jim Parrish, who made sure the paper contained all the bits and pieces of news about Weston County’s service men and women. 

Moving Wall events

Opening Ceremony

Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m. 

Where: The Moving Wall site, intersection of U.S. Highways 16 and 85, next to Pinnacle Bank.

Keynote Address: Col. Chris “Switch” Roness, U.S.A.F., retired. Roness grew up in Newcastle, and is a 1989 Newcastle High School graduate, and graduated from University of Wyoming in 1993. He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1994 and served nearly three decades. He is a Senior and Commercial fixed wing and rotary wing pilot with over 1500 hours in UH-1N and HH-60G combat operations in support of Personnel Recovery, Nuclear Security and Special Operations missions.

Wyoming PBS documentary screening 

Friday, Aug. 14, at 4 p.m.

Where: Dogie Theatre

Film: “Home from the Vietnam War.” The film tells the story of Lt. Lee Alley, one of Wyoming’s most highly decorated Vietnam veterans. It explores his upbringing in Wyoming, his combat service, the difficult reception at home many Vietnam veterans faced, his lifelong struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder, and his efforts to help veterans heal from their own wartime experiences. Alley is expected to attend the screening and do a meet and greet with those in attendance. 

Closing ceremony

When: Sunday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m.

Where: The Moving Wall site.

Speaker: Retired U.S. Army Capt. John O’Connell, a Custer, South Dakota, native and Vietnam veteran.

The Moving Wall will remain open through Aug. 17, allowing visitors to experience the memorial at their own pace. Organizers encourage community members, veterans, families and Sturgis Rally visitors to visit the Wall and reflect on the sacrifices made by those whose names are etched into the memorial and by all who served during the Vietnam War. The Wall will be disassembled throughout the day on Aug. 17, so plan to visit earlier on that day.

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