Honoring a Legacy: Winchester Hosts Vietnam Memorial Wall Ceremony
- Terri Carter
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
In a poignant display of remembrance and unity, more than 300 members of the Franklin County community and surrounding areas came together to honor the legacy of those who served in the Vietnam War. The evening centered around the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial, offering a solemn space to reflect on the lives lost and the sacrifices made in defense of America’s freedom. With heartfelt tributes and shared moments of grief and gratitude, attendees paid homage to the fallen and reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the memory of those who gave everything for their country.
To honor the arrival of the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial with the utmost reverence, the city of Winchester—alongside event sponsors—organized a ceremonial caravan escorting the wall from Monteagle to Winchester. Despite relentless rainfall, more than 33 motorcyclists joined the procession, while families and students lined the route, undeterred by the weather, to witness the solemn journey. Soaked but steadfast, crews and volunteers labored through the downpour to ready the park grounds for the wall’s assembly and the commemorative events that would soon follow.
Among those in attendance to the ceremony were Congressman Scott DesJarlais, Senator Janice Bowlin, State Representative Iris Rudder, Franklin County Mayor Chris Guess, Winchester Mayor Sean Crabtree, and Tennessee Commissioner of Veteran Affairs Major General Tommy H. Baker. And musical sensation Buddy Jewell provided entertainment at the beginning of the ceremony, which was kicked off by a flyover of two UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.
Highlighting the ceremony that started at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday evening was guest speaker Captain William A. Robinson. Captain Robinson enlisted in the United States Air Force on November 22, 1961, and was trained as a helicopter maintenance technician. During his service, he served as a crew chief for multiple air squadrons and was deployed to Thailand in 1965. In 1965, Robinson was involved in a helicopter crash during a rescue mission over North Vietnam and was captured and taken as a prisoner of war (POW) on September 20, 1965.
During his time as a POW, Robinson, along with two other enlisted POW’s, was granted a battlefield commission in 1969 as a 2LT in the United States Air Force, which was made official by President Nixon on April 9, 1973. After spending 2,703 days in captivity, Robinson was released during Operation Homecoming on February 12, 1973.
The ceremony took a deeply emotional turn as war hero Robinson opened his speech with a solemn reading from Psalm 23. He shared that, for many whose names now grace the memorial wall, the final words they heard before passing in the arms of a fellow soldier were those sacred verses. With reverence, Robinson recited the passage and then expressed what a profound honor it was to stand before the community and pay tribute to the fallen heroes whose legacy endures.
“It is indeed an honor to be here and remember those on that wall.”, stated Robinson. “This traveling wall is very special, and we like to thank those who put forth 150% effort to make sure this goes off without a hitch, and makes people walk away with remembrance of the service and sacrifice of not only those on the wall, but the families who have lived with the burden of the loss of someone so special.”
Robinson said that he hoped that the stories of service and sacrifice from our Vietnam veterans and their families will long be remembered in an effort and responsibility of keeping the names on the wall alive.
“Some lived out a full life after their service to the country—living out the American dream.”, stated Robinson. “Others had their lives shortened by the scars of war. The ones on this wall gave up their tomorrows so we could have ours. We honor them. We thank them. Most important, we remember them and their families.”
“Also remember, “, continued Robinson, “a warrior dies twice. Once when he meets death. And the second time when we forget his or her name. No greater love does one have than to lay down his or her life for another.”
The veteran told the story of his grandfather taking him to see a war memorial in his hometown as a little boy. After a long silence, his grandfather explained to him that the memorial was dedicated to the soldiers, who from his small hometown, that had lost their lives during World War II.
“They were continental workers. Some lied about their age to join the service.”, said Robinson. “They left high school at a very young age to go fight for the freedoms that we are so familiar with.”
He said that as he and his grandfather looked over the names, he realized that he had known some of the people who had donned the uniform, noticing that someone who had lived just across the street from him had lost his twin brother to battle.
Fast forwarding to Robinson’s generation, the Vietnam Memorial Wall took the veteran back to that moment he shared with his grandfather as a young boy.
“We look at this wall and there’s over 1,500 that were missing in action or unaccounted for in a country that’s so small.”, stated Robinson. “They join almost 80,000 from other wars who have yet to be accounted for. And it is our utmost responsibility to ensure that we have the full count of each and every one that remains missing.”
Robinson stated that out of the over 58,000 names that are placed on the memorial wall, it is important to remember that 36,000 were only 19 years of age, or younger. For a lot of those who lost their lives, they considered it their “senior trip”.
Recalling his own time in service, the veteran said that out of the 500 of them who left home, 190 of them lost their lives in captivity.
“When I think about this wall, I think about my brothers on this wall.”, stated Robinson.
He echoed the names and exact location on the wall of the men he knew and stood beside when they had lost their lives. He told the stories of their last days, all of which were spent in brutal captivity as prisoners of war. Robinson said that he preferred to think of these soldiers as being cradled by angels as they made their ascension up into Heaven.
The war hero ended his time at the podium by thanking everyone for attending and reminding the guests of the importance of keeping the memory of the soldiers alive.
“May all on this Vietnam wall rest in peace.”, said Robinson. “And we, the living, must tell their stories. That way the future generations of America will know why they are the land of the free because of the brave.”
The heartfelt ceremony concluded with a 21-gun salute, the playing of Taps, and a bagpipe rendition of Amazing Grace. As community members and visitors walked up and down the length of the memorial wall placing flowers, taking pictures, or embracing a moment of reflection and silence, the grounds at the Winchester City Park Red Roof Pavilion were filled with solemn honor, remembrance, and a sense of unwavering gratitude for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the families that are left behind.
