NAHANT — Standing at 375 feet long, it’s hard to miss “The Wall that Heals.”
The replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial visited Nahant, which held a “Welcome Home” ceremony Saturday. The event was attended by Governor Charlie Baker, as well as Medal of Honor recipient Ryan Pitts, who was a keynote speaker.
Though rain was pouring down, community members flocked to the ceremony, even as the sky cracked with thunder. Nothing could stop people from getting to witness this chapter of American history.
The rain was almost fitting in a way. At the end of the ceremony, a speaker said that it represents the tears shed by family members and friends who lost someone in the war.
Baker retold some remarks that were given when the wall visited Gloucester a few years ago. He remembered going to a Blink-182 concert with his family and during the show a band member told the crowd to be quiet. The band member pointed out a veteran and thanked him for his service.
The governor said that this appreciation showed how the country had grown since Vietnam. Instead of condemning soldiers for the decisions made by politicians, Baker said, Americans thanked veterans for their willingness to go above and beyond for their country.
“We have to be able to separate the warrior from the war because I know at that concert there were all kinds of people who probably didn’t support what was going on in the Middle East, (but) they did not take it out on (the veteran).”
Pitts, who was born in Massachusetts, spoke about the commonalities between veterans of recent wars and the veterans of Vietnam. He also had poignant remarks about what he described as “one of the greatest things” he sees when looking at the wall.
“You see all these people who chose service over self. What you don’t see is their skin color. You don’t see their religious denomination. You don’t see political ideology. You don’t see who they love. You just see men and women who answered the call and gave everything for all of us.”
Town Administrator Antonio Barletta said after the ceremony that this week was a powerful moment for Nahant, the North Shore region and anyone who was able to visit the wall.
Nahant residents got a powerful history lesson from speakers, as well as by walking along the wall. They witnessed just what the cost of war looks like.
But they also got to hear the stories of some of this country’s greatest citizens, who were willing to risk their lives for others. They heard why veterans truly deserve a proper welcome home.
