Story by Curtis Walsh – Beaver County Radio. Published July 16, 2026 2:10 P.M.

(Patterson Township, Pa) – Beaver County is featured on the 2026 schedule of stops for the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall. The wall is a half-size replica of the Washington D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Those who cannot travel to Washington are given an opportunity to see their loved ones’ names in their own community.    

The 74 panel wall is almost as long as a football field and includes over 58,000 etched names of Vietnam veterans who lost their lives. 

An opening ceremony was held Thursday morning at Franciscan Manor in Patterson Township.

Vietnam Veterans Southwestern Pennsylvania Chapter 862 played a big role in making the event possible. Their President, Larry Googins, acted as the primary speaker for the ceremony and welcomed numerous guests including District Attorney Nate Bible, County Commissioner Jack Manning, and Sheriff Tony Guy. 

The ceremony also featured a presentation of wreaths and a reading of names for our local fallen Vietnam veterans, in addition to a 3 volley salute by Chapter 862, the playing of Taps, and a vocal performance of America the Beautiful.

Googins closed the ceremony by saying “Welcome home”.    

Afterwards, family members and those in attendance began to walk the walls looking for and reading the names.  

The Moving Wall is open to the public 24 hours a day until July 20th at Franciscan Manor. 

Parking is available at the Patterson Township Fire Department.