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March 3, 2006
PATRIOTIC PAHRUMP Wall of Heroes honors local troopsPAHRUMP AND TONOPAH REPRESENTED ON WALL AT WAL-MART
By GINA B. GOOD
Now hundreds of people every day are taking the opportunity to pause as they enter the Pahrump Wal-Mart Super Center to acknowledge the photographs of servicemen and women throughout Nye County who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. "Some people just glance up for a minute, but others stop and read the names," said a Wal-Mart greeter at the general merchandise entrance, where the Wall of Heroes is located. The Town of Pahrump rallied to the call put out by Jenny Liakopoulos and Denise Choyce in December to adopt the 600 men and women - including Michael Benthin, Jenny's son - stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. By special proclamation December 19 was named "47th Combat Support Hospital Army Medical Troop Day." With that accomplished, the two women set out to honor all the military personnel from Nye County currently serving in the Middle East, and with Wal-Mart's help, the Wall of Heroes was born. Last week parents, friends and veterans of past wars gathered to show support and honor those who serve by hanging their photographs in a permanent display. The ceremony began in the store's parking lot as the Pahrump Valley High School ROTC Color Guard, Trojan Battalion led the way for the Nye County Sheriff's Color Guard and the high school's marching band into the building. Presenting the American flag was Cadet Lt. Col. Nathaniel Waggoner, while Cadet Capt. Bryan Jove carried the Prisoner-of-War/Missing-in-Action flag. The Left Guard was Cadet Sgt. Marian Jovel; on the right was Cadet Second Lt. Daniel Ornelas. Chaplain Kenny James of VFW Post 10054 offered a prayer and a veteran named Gator, who the organizers said is not known to speak much in public, moved the crowd to tears when he spoke from the podium on the "blanket of freedom." The banner on the Wall of Heroes is inscribed with part of what Gator said, "My son is standing watch tonight so that you and I may sleep under a blanket of freedom." Store Manager Kevin Pape took a moment to welcome the attendees and in an interview after the event said, "This was a reflection of the community's voice and we had an opportunity to be part of that. "It was pretty amazing for all the parents to get up there and talk about their kids," Pape continued. "I was honored to have Wal-Mart be the locale for that." More than 100 people attended the ceremony and listened intently as each parent or child spoke of their loved one and handed photographs, framed by SSI (Support Soldiers in Need) to the organizers to put up on the wall. Tears flowed freely and unabashedly. Peter Liakopoulos introduced the parents and public officials, including Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley who brought a photograph of Brandy Kaminsky, from Tonopah, for the Wall. Deputy George Wehrly, a member of the Sheriff's Office Color Guard and recently returned from Iraq, where he was part of the 313th Military Police Detachment, in a few short words expressed what the Wall of Heroes means to him and others who are still serving. The official ceremony ended with the singing of the National Anthem, lead by Venita Fredericks and a prayer by Denise Choyce, whose son, Michael Choyce, is pictured on the wall. "I was very, very excited to see all the people who came out for the ceremony," she said after the event. "You just couldn't ask for a better day." Denise heard from her son this week. "I miss him a lot," she said. "He called Monday morning about 5 a.m. our time, which is 4 p.m. for him. Now they are getting ready to train the Iraqi army. "It amazes me that all the boys and girls from Pahrump know each other. Dawn Mobley grew up with my Jimmy. That's really neat that they are on the Wall of Heroes together." Denise told her son about the Wall. "He is really pretty excited that his picture is there. He asked me to take a picture for him," she said. SSI collected and framed 28 photos now on the Wall of Heroes and another ceremony will be held toward the end of April. Other activities planned are fundraising events to enable Jenny, Denise and other volunteers to package and send needed supplies to troops throughout the Middle East. For Valentine's Day local schoolchildren sent 500 hundred personalized cards to the troops. If you have the address of a serviceman or woman and would like that individual put on the list for supplies or greeting cards, contact Jenny Liakopoulos at 537-1955 or Denise Choyce at 727-1939. The women are also collecting more photographs for the Wall and having a fundraiser on April 2 at the Moose Lodge. It will be a fashion show featuring business and casual wear for senior women. Tickets are on sale for $10. |
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