The Global War on Terror (GWOT) Wall of Remembrance is coming to Solon next week and will be at the Legion Field.
The wall, similar to the Vietnam Memorial wall the Solon American Legion Stinocher Post 460 brought to Solon in 22, is scheduled to depart the Iowa Army National Guard Armory in Davenport at 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18. It is anticipated that hundreds of motorcycles will rally at the armory and escort it to Solon with an estimated arrival between 10-11:00 a.m. with the Solon Fire Department joining the escort to Legion Field.
Main Street will be closed from Hwy. 1 to N. Dubuque Street from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. for motorcycle parking and a Legion Beer Garden for the riders to relax and visit after the escort (in partnership with Big Grove Brewery (Solon Brewpub)).
Set up of the wall will begin upon arrival with the site opened to the public by early afternoon. The wall will be open to the public until 10:00 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. However, if a veteran wishes to visit privately, they will not be turned away.
In addition, the Veterans Administration’s mobile outreach crisis van will be onsite Friday and Saturday with the VA’s suicide crisis team and a squad of psychology interns, all available to help if the experience hits a veteran too hard, and they’re willing to reach out for support.
Saturday at 11:00 a.m., an Iowa National Guard UH-72 Lakota helicopter will land on the Legion ball diamond and will be on static display.
At noon Saturday, a brief ceremony will be held with remarks by Brigadier General William F. McClintock, the Iowa Army National Guard’s Deputy Adjutant. The Lakota will depart shortly after the ceremony.
Disassembly of the wall is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. Sunday.
Ruck-22 walk next Saturday
In recognition of September as Suicide Awareness Month, and the estimated 22 veterans per day who take their own lives, Solon-based Iowa Veterans Outdoor Experience (IVOE) will be holding their third Ruck-22 walk Saturday, Sept. 20, at 9:30 a.m.
Participants in the 2.2-mile long trek, starting at Lakeview Elementary School and ending at the GWOT Wall of Remembrance, are encouraged to wear 22 pounds on their back as a symbol of those veterans lost to suicide.
The entry fee is $22 with registration that morning at Lakeview Elementary School. T-shirts will be available for $22 as well. All proceeds and donations go directly to IVOE to offset the costs of the all-volunteer organization’s annual fishing, bow hunting, and bicycle rides to provide support to veterans at no cost to them.
To date, IVOE’s efforts have saved the lives of 16 veterans who had been contemplating suicide.