The traveling Vietnam Memorial wall came to South Portland last weekend, offering history and healing for residents and veterans.

“For me, in my career, this has been the highlight,” said Robert Barnes, chairman of the Dignity Wall committee and a Vietnam veteran. Over 48,000 residents and veterans came to the memorial to pay respect, remember and to heal, said Barnes.

The wall, part of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Experience, was brought into South Portland on Aug. 8 with an escort of over 400 motorcycles, giving Mainers a chance to see a replica of the Vietnam Memorial wall.

“When I initially saw it in D.C., it was a quiet, gloomy day. It was very solemn,” said Ryan Nixon, a member of the P3 patrol squadron based at the Brunswick Naval Air Station, on Saturday. “This is more glorious, it is more of a celebration and remembrance of the veterans.”

Nixon said it was really special that people took the time to create a wall that travels throughout the United States. “I’ve seen the real thing and a lot of people don’t have that luxury,” he said.

Gorham’s Steve Roberts was at the wall to honor his brother John, who was killed in action in Vietnam. Like his brother, Roberts erved in the military, but was not sent to fight in Vietnam because he was an only surviving son.

“It was a very moving week for me,” said Roberts, who was able to discover for the first time in over 30 years through connections he made during the wall’s visit, the exact details surrounding his brother’s death.

“To be at the wall so close to where John and I grew up means so much to me,” said Roberts, who grew up in South Portland. He plans to visit Vietnam in the next year and see the area where his brother was killed. Roberts said he would like to meet Vietnamese families who lost brothers and sons as well as have the opportunity to meet and play with Vietnamese children.

Michael Malis of Brunswick was visiting the wall on Saturday with his family. He is a veteran of the war in the Persian Gulf.

Malis said it was a wonderful experience to see all the Vietnam veterans being honored. He had joined the Navy in 1976 and remembers all the anti-war sentiment that the Vietnam soldiers faced when coming home. “Better late than never,” said Malis.

It is important that wars not seem like ancient history, that the younger generation realize they are a part of history and part of a bigger community, Malis said. “I wanted my kids to see how many names are on the wall,” he said.

Gussy and Oscar Gottschalk who live in South Portland, took time out of their weekend to visit the wall.

“We have been terribly sad about the war and especially about the soldiers sad welcome back home,” said Gussy Gottschalk. “It is good to remind people what has been done.”

Oscar Gottschalk said he was happily surprised to see how many people came to the wall and the ceremonies, especially with Art in the Park occurring at the same time.

Hundreds gathered for the wall’s opening ceremonies on Aug. 11. Speakers at the ceremonies included South Portland Mayor Maxine Beecher, Gov. John Baldacci, Barnes and several other members of the community.

“This is so emotional for me,” said Beecher as she dedicated the weekend as Veteran’s Remembrance Weekend for South Portland. The ceremonies also included a reading of the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of the national anthem and a 21-gun salute.

“Let’s hope today is a small token of appreciation for what they did for us,” said Baldacci on Friday.

The wall headed to Madison, Conn., on Tuesday morning. After that it will be displayed in Elmira, N.Y., then Binghamton, N.Y.

“This wall and these ceremonies mean a lot to the veterans,” said Nixon.

People whose whole lives have been changed by the war and are still trying to come to terms with it came to see the wall, Nixon said. “It means a great deal to a lot of people.”

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