In 1970, Sharon Denitto bought a bracelet to support Vietnam
veterans and prisoners of war. On it was inscribed the name of
then-POW Capt. Michael McGrath of the U.S. Navy.
The Florida resident met him for the first time Tuesday during
opening ceremonies for the Moving Wall, a replica of the Vietnam
Veterans War Memorial that is expected to draw thousands during its
week-long stopover in a Castle Rock cemetery.
“I’ve corresponded with Mike a number of times,” said Denitto,
fingering the bracelet she stills wears on her right wrist. “But it
means the world to see him speak at this event.”
Castle Rock’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and Ladies Auxiliary
10578 brought the Moving Wall to Cedar Hill Cemetery, the only
Colorado location, where it will be on display through May 24. The
memorial is open 24 hours a day.
“I saw the Moving Wall some years ago in Rocky Ford, and it was
an amazing experience,” said Marsha Harrison, commander of the
Ladies Auxiliary. “And I thought, ‘If they could host this event,
why not us?’ “
The 250-foot-long replica, half the size of the memorial in
Washington, D.C., has been touring the country for almost 20 years.
Some 58,245 names of Vietnam veterans are inscribed on the black,
mirror-like, aluminum-paneled wall.
McGrath, a Monument resident, attired in medal-laden dress
whites, was the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
He flew 179 combat missions with the Navy’s Blue Diamond squad
before being shot down in North Vietnam on June 30, 1967. For six
years, he remained a POW in the so-called “Hanoi Hilton.”
But on Tuesday, McGrath remembered a different story and
reminded the nearly 250 people present that the Wall is an evolving
memorial to those who fought in Vietnam.
On May 9, 17 more names were added to the Wall, among them Alan
Brudno, a POW for seven years and McGrath’s close friend.
“Alan died shortly after returning home from Vietnam,” McGrath
said. “It is good to know he will now be remem bered on this
memorial with his brothers.”
After McGrath spoke, the crowd rose to watch three U.S. Army
Uhie helicopters fly over the memorial. After they passed, the lead
Uhie broke off and landed in a nearby field. As its engines powered
down, soloist Kathy Green sang “God Bless America.”
The ceremony closed with a rendition of taps and the release of
two dozen white doves.
After the event, veterans, their families and the public
gathered to shake hands, share memories and find the names of loved
ones on the Wall.
“It was a beautiful ceremony and bringing this memorial to
Castle Rock was a wonderful idea,” said County Commissioner Jim
Sullivan, a Korean War veteran. “Today, we honor all the men and
women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”
Stacy Benson, of Aurora, brought her children Britney and
Brandon to witness history.
“The ceremony was so moving,” she said. “But the real lessons
for my children are inscribed there in that wall.”
A small group eager to give their thanks to a war hero formed
around McGrath.
As soon as there was a break, Denitto made her way over to him,
introduced herself and shared a personal moment with the man who,
to her, personified the loss of a generation of men.
Then she returned to her booth near the memorial to help the
gathering crowd search the Wall. Since 1995, Denitto has traveled
with the memorial to 24 different sites, helping mourners find
names with the comprehensive computer database she has put together
of all 58,245 names on the Wall.
“It was wonderful to finally meet Mike, but I consider all of
this to be my family,” she said, surveying the scene. “I want to
make the Wall a teaching aid, not of battles or war, but of life
and the men who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”