Vietnam Display Being Painted on Chapter 109 Wall

Jackson Christian High School students Jaanai Smith, front, and Kayley McCollum work on the mural at the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 109 building on Tuesday.

By Jeff Steers
JTV News

(July 27, 2021 3:45 PM) Members of Jackson Christian High School are helping to create a mural on the wall at Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 109, 235 W. Franklin, Jackson. 

Numerous students and teacher Cathy Lehman have been working on the mural this summer. When finished, the mural will depict the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. 

“Nine students have been steadily working throughout the summer,” Lehman said. “We have put approximately 20 hours into the mural.”

The Jackson Christian artists are performing the artwork on a volunteer basis for the Vietnam Veterans of America. 

Lehman said the students expect to finish the mural by the end of the week. It will be timely as the Michigan Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be at the Jackson County Fairgrounds on Aug. 12. 

The memorial is dedicated to the memory of the 2,661 men and women of the state of Michigan who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. 

The wall is a replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C., but only has the names of Michigan soldiers. 

Dave Welihan of the Jackson County Veteran’s Council told the “Bart Hawley Show” on Monday that motorcycles for an escort of the wall are needed from the highway to the Fairgrounds. 

Those wishing to join to escort the wall should gather at the Holiday Inn Express, 2506 O’Neil Drive, Jackson, at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 12, for a trip to the new American 1 Event Center at the fairgrounds. 

Welihan said it takes approximately an hour to set up the wall so it will be ready for fair visitors at 10 a.m.