The Wall That Heals – Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica and Mobile Education Center
In Memory
A ceremony held within the chevron of The Wall That Heals

Published 2026 Program

Welcome Home Ceremony

The program for Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM in Oneonta, New York, preserved as a historical record.

Order of Ceremony

A community welcome home

  1. 01

    Welcome

    Carlton Cleveland

    Master of Ceremonies

  2. 02

    Invocation

    Randolph Palada

    Chaplain, American Legion Post 259

  3. 03

    Posting the Colors

    Honor Guard

    Oneonta American Legion Post 259

  4. 04

    Pledge of Allegiance

    Rob Martinez

    Oneonta American Legion Post 259

  5. 05

    National Anthem

    Ken Gracey

    Red Knights Chapter 44

  6. 06

    Welcome to Oneonta

    Dan Butterman

    Mayor

  7. 07

    Welcome Home Recognition

    Carlton Cleveland

  8. 08

    Guest Speaker

    Dave Rees

  9. 09

    America the Beautiful

    SUNY Choir

  10. 10

    Wreath Laying at The Wall

    Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center

  11. 11

    Amazing Grace

    Michael Woytch, Bagpipes

    Oneonta Veterans of Foreign Wars

  12. 12

    Flag Folding

    American Legion Post 259

  13. 13

    Flag Presentation to Gold Star Family

    Townsend Family

  14. 14

    21-Gun Salute

    American Legion Post 259

  15. 15

    Retirement of Colors

    American Legion Post 259

  16. 16

    Benediction

    Pastor Paul Messner

    Laurens American Legion Post 1688

  17. 17

    Taps

    Andy Odell

    Catskill Brass

September 22–27, 2026

Visit at a glance

This is the schedule as printed for the 2026 visit. The exhibit has since departed Oneonta.

Tuesday, September 22

Arrival

  • American Legion Riders Post 259 escorts the truck carrying The Wall to Oneonta.
  • Construction of the frame begins.

Wednesday, September 23

Setup and Opening

  • 8:30 AM — Community volunteers, veterans, and the Oneonta Job Corps begin assembling The Wall and Mobile Education Center.
  • 2:00 PM — First volunteer shift.
  • 6:00 PM — Volunteer orientation.

Thursday, September 24

Welcome Home

  • The Wall and Mobile Education Center remain open.
  • 6:00 PM — Welcome Home Ceremony.

Friday, September 25

Remembrance and Awareness

  • The Wall and Mobile Education Center remain open.
  • 7:30 PM — Agent Orange & PTSD Awareness Ceremony.
  • The ceremony concludes with Taps by American Legion Post 259.

Saturday, September 26

Evening Taps

  • The Wall and Mobile Education Center remain open.
  • 6:45 PM — Taps Ceremony by American Legion Post 259.

Sunday, September 27

Closing

  • 1:45 PM — Closing Ceremony.
  • 2:00 PM — The Wall closes and disassembly begins.

With gratitude to our sponsors

  • American Legion Post 259
  • American Legion Riders Post 259
  • Country Club Auto Group
  • Directive Technology, Inc.
  • BriteAgency
  • The Village Printer
  • Astrocom
  • Community Foundation of Otsego County
  • A. Treffeisen & Son
  • Otsego County Chamber of Commerce
  • Five Star Subaru
  • Otsego Media
  • Integrated Chiropractic Care
  • The Daily Star
  • Unalam
  • Oneonta Rotary
  • Comm Innovations
  • Casella
  • Otsego Auto Crushers
  • Pickett Building Materials
  • Canner Law Office
  • City of Oneonta
  • Nick's Diner
  • Rider Nation
  • Morris Tent
  • Certified Auto
  • Gary Enck's Car Store

The Oneonta Wall That Heals Committee, a partnership of American Legion Post 259, American Legion Riders Post 259, Otsego Media, Directive Technology, Inc., BriteAgency, The Village Printer, the City of Oneonta, and community partners across Central New York, co-chaired by Dave Rowley and Chris Chase.

With special thanks to Cathy Miller, Program Manager, The Wall That Heals.