Tracey Martiny, Volunteer Coordinator, and Gene Bates, Ceremonies Chairman, both stepped into the SVI Radio studio on Monday, February 16 with an update on The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial which will be in Afton July 9-12. Gene discussed some of the public ceremonies that will take place while Tracey discussed on the volunteer help needed from the community.

More details can be found at TheWallThatHealsAftonWY2026.com.

(0:00) Heading into this hour’s guest interview segment, (0:02) the first one of the eight o’clock hour this morning, (0:05) and learning more about The Wall That Heals (0:07) coming to Star Valley this upcoming summer, (0:10) July 9th through the 12th in Afton, (0:13) and a couple of committee chairs in the studio (0:15) with me live this morning, including Tracy Martini, (0:17) she’s the volunteer coordinator, (0:19) and Jean Bates, who is the ceremonies chairman, (0:22) both in studio. (0:23) Tracy, Jean, good morning, how are you guys doing today? (0:25) Good morning, and thank you. (0:26) Absolutely appreciate you stepping in studio.

(0:28) I am so excited about this event, as I hope everybody is. (0:32) Jean, let’s start with you, (0:34) and we’ve talked about this previously, (0:36) but for those who are not aware, (0:38) explain to us, what is The Wall That Heals? (0:43) Well, The Wall That Heals is actually (0:46) a traveling three-quarter size replica (0:50) of the Vietnam, excuse me, (0:53) the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., (0:57) and every year, they travel to various communities, (1:03) and we’re lucky here in Wyoming (1:06) that we’re one of the 30 spots nationwide (1:10) that they will hit this year. (1:14) It’s been nearly 20 years since this memorial (1:19) was in Wyoming, it was here in 2008, (1:23) and this is the only stop that it will make (1:25) in the state this year.

(1:27) Yeah, and I can tell immediately, (1:29) this is something that is gonna be very special to you. (1:32) Tell me why, Jean, why are you looking forward to this, (1:35) and why did you decide to get involved? (1:37) Well, I am a Vietnam veteran. (1:42) I have also been involved with (1:46) various veterans organizations over the years, (1:49) and I feel fairly strongly about veterans (1:54) and causes that are associated with that, so.

(1:58) Absolutely, now, of course, Jean, (2:00) you’re the ceremony’s chairman, (2:02) so what does that all entail? (2:05) Essentially, while The Wall is here, (2:07) there’ll be four ceremonies, a welcome ceremony, (2:13) and there’ll be a special memorial ceremony (2:17) on Friday night at dusk. (2:20) It’s called Light the Night, (2:23) so it’s basically a candlelight service, (2:26) and then there’ll be a closing-type ceremony (2:31) before it actually leaves, so. (2:34) The big one, of course, would be the welcome, (2:36) the public welcome ceremony.

(2:40) Absolutely, perfect. (2:41) Well, Tracy, let’s loop you into the conversation. (2:44) Maybe same question.

(2:45) When you heard about The Wall of Heels, (2:46) why did you decide to get involved? (2:48) I guess, one, military has always been part of my life. (2:52) I am a military spouse. (2:53) My husband’s a retired Air Force, (2:55) and then to honor my husband’s father, (2:57) who is a Vietnam veteran, (2:58) who did come home from the war, (3:00) but then turned around and suffered (3:02) from the effects of the war (3:04) through Agent Orange illnesses and stuff like that, (3:06) so like I said, military’s always been at my heart, (3:09) and to be able to serve and bring this to the community (3:11) and honor the names that are written on The Wall.

(3:15) Yeah, well, it’s clearly a huge deal. (3:16) As Jean said, the only stop in Wyoming this year, (3:19) so it really is an honor (3:21) and something that we’re thrilled to have, (3:23) but Tracy, this isn’t something (3:25) that a few people put together, right? (3:27) It is not a thing that just a handful of people (3:30) put together. (3:31) It is gonna need a lot of hands and hearts (3:34) to put this wall up and tear it down (3:37) and then to also host it, (3:40) so we’re looking at anywhere from 250 to 400 volunteers.

(3:45) We have different roles and capacities, (3:48) but each volunteer makes the heart of The Wall. (3:51) Their time, compassion, and education at the exhibits (3:55) will provide a welcoming and educational experience. (3:57) And I think you both have answered this question, (4:00) why volunteer, and I think it’s just to be a part (4:03) of something incredibly special.

(4:05) Yep, incredibly special and meaningful. (4:07) It’ll honor those names that are etched on that wall (4:09) and support members of our community (4:11) as they reflect, remember, and heal, so yeah. (4:14) Of course, and who can volunteer? (4:16) You looking for anybody specific? (4:17) Anybody can volunteer, no matter what your capabilities, (4:21) your times, or your ages.

(4:23) We do ask that the children under the age of 18 (4:26) be accompanied by an adult, (4:28) but we have multiple different roles (4:31) that you can be serving at. (4:33) There’s a couple select roles (4:34) that if you have limited mobility, (4:37) the Visitor Center would be a great place for you. (4:41) We need able-bodied members of the community (4:44) to help set up our wall and tear down.

(4:47) That’ll be about 30 to 40 able-bodied individuals (4:52) that could come up and help set up our exhibits. (4:55) We have wall ambassadors that’ll help (4:58) with wall rubbings and etchings at the wall (5:02) and communicating with visitors there. (5:06) We have Education Center volunteers (5:08) that will help guide visitors around the artifacts (5:12) that are on the education area.

(5:15) And then, like I said, Visitor and Welcome Center, (5:18) we need people helping out with parking and logistics, (5:22) ceremonial support. (5:24) We would love our youth groups, (5:26) the younger kids to also get involved (5:28) with being welcoming and viewing spectators (5:31) for when the wall is escorted in on the 7th of July (5:34) from Alpine to Afton. (5:38) So something for everybody.

(5:40) Something for everybody, yes. (5:41) Absolutely, and it’s as much as you wanna do (5:45) or as little as you wanna do, right? (5:47) Yes, most of our slots are gonna be a four-hour slot. (5:50) However, we do have a handful that are two, (5:52) and you’re welcome to sign up as many slots (5:54) as you would like to.

(5:55) It is a 24-hour exhibit, so we need bodies (5:59) all through the day and the night. (6:01) Absolutely, how do people sign up (6:03) or how do they get involved? (6:04) If they wanna start volunteering now (6:06) to help plan and prepare, (6:07) or if they wanna just help on the days that it’s here? (6:09) They are more than welcome to come in (6:11) and help with our committee chairs (6:13) and support the logistics and the planning (6:16) to bring it here, and that you can contact us (6:19) through the Wyoming Welcomes, TWTH, at yahoo.com. (6:24) Send a communication that way. (6:26) You can visit our website that is, (6:31) off the top of my head, I’m sorry, (6:34) because you always copy and paste this.

(6:35) Actually, it is a mouthful. (6:37) Yes, the wall that heals, Afton, Wyoming, (6:41) W-Y for Wyoming, 2026.com, (6:45) and you can go through the site (6:47) and you’ll be able to pick different areas of interest, (6:50) whether it’s volunteering or sponsorship (6:51) or in-memory information that way. (6:54) But, and then, if you are interested (6:57) specifically in volunteers, you can send an email (7:00) to wyomingwelcomes, TWTH.volunteers, at yahoo.com. (7:06) Perfect, so that website’s live now.

(7:09) The Wall That Heals, Afton, W-Y, 2026.com, (7:13) and it’ll pull right up and you can find everything (7:16) that you’re looking for. (7:17) So, absolutely encourage people to contact you, Tracy. (7:20) Find out where the help is needed, get involved.

(7:23) Tracy Martini is the volunteer coordinator (7:25) for The Wall That Heals. (7:26) Gene Bates, also in studio. (7:28) Gene, when it comes to the ceremonies, (7:29) any specific help you’re looking for? (7:33) I’m not sure that we need any specific help (7:36) that we can’t get through Tracy.

(7:39) However, I do want to say that our guest speaker (7:42) will be Governor Gordon. (7:45) We’ll be looking specifically, I suppose, (7:49) for folks who are willing to usher and help seat people. (7:56) We’re hoping to have an amazing turnout, (8:00) and so we’re gonna need some ushers and some helpers there.

(8:04) But beyond that, I think mostly we’re just gonna be (8:07) working with the volunteers that are available. (8:10) For sure. (8:11) Gene, you mentioned Governor Gordon.

(8:13) We’ll be presenting, this all takes place, (8:15) it was decided to host it on the football field (8:18) at Star Valley Middle School, correct? (8:20) That’s correct. (8:20) Yeah, and so maybe, Gene, just to remind us again, (8:24) people can go just look at The Wall any time, (8:26) but there’s gonna be specific certain times (8:29) for specific ceremonies and whatnot, right? (8:32) That’s correct. (8:33) The actual, The Wall will arrive the day before, (8:40) and the opening ceremony will be actually (8:44) at nine o’clock on Thursday.

(8:48) The Wall itself will be open after it’s set up on Wednesday, (8:57) but it will be closed an hour before the ceremony (9:00) and for an hour afterwards (9:02) so that we can pick up, tear down, (9:05) and then we’ll go back to being open (9:09) completely to the public. (9:11) Excellent. (9:12) Gene, you mentioned it’s a three-quarter size replica.

(9:14) For those who haven’t been to the actual (9:18) Vietnam’s Veteran Memorial, how big is it? (9:22) I mean, how big is a three-quarter size? (9:23) This thing isn’t just a 10-foot deal. (9:26) It’s huge, right? (9:27) Yes, it is. (9:28) It’s, I don’t know the actual dimensions, (9:33) but I wanna say it’s 50 by about 10 or 12.

(9:38) Yeah, it’s 370-feet long exhibits (9:40) with like seven and a half, eight-foot high height, (9:43) and the heaviest panel that will be erected is 85 pounds. (9:47) It’s pretty impressive and moving. (9:51) Yep, absolutely, and they’re gonna bring all that (9:53) out of a semi-truck.

On the road, yes. (9:55) Yeah, and they actually started their tour season in Hawaii, (9:59) so they created it up and sent it to Hawaii, (10:02) and now it’s back on the road, so yeah. (10:04) And I’m sure we’ll talk more about this, (10:06) but as it travels into the valley, (10:07) there’s gonna be some escorts, (10:08) and it’ll be a big deal before it even gets (10:11) to the middle school, right? (10:12) Yep.

(10:14) Yes, as I understand it, they’ll be leaving Billings (10:19) and tour part of the state on its way here, (10:23) and then come over the hill, (10:26) and the official escort will pick it up in Afton, (10:30) or I mean in Alpine, I’m sorry, (10:33) and then once it arrives here, (10:36) then the work really begins. (10:38) Yes, absolutely. (10:39) With the escort, they’re also looking for ride captains (10:42) and motorcycle groups that would be interested in it, (10:45) and they’re looking to have at least 200 to 400 bikers (10:48) that will escort that in, (10:49) so that’ll be a pretty impressive rolling thunder (10:52) as it comes through the valley.

(10:53) Absolutely, so again, find the details online, (10:59) thewallthathealsaftonwy2026.com, (11:01) thewallthathealsaftonwy2026.com, (11:02) and it’s July 9th through the 12th (11:05) is when it will be set up and on display in studio. (11:07) Tracy Martini, volunteer coordinator, (11:09) and Gene Bates, ceremonies chairman, (11:10) anything we missed from either of you (11:12) that you’d like to mention today? (11:13) We just welcome you guys to come visit, (11:16) sponsor, and volunteer. (11:18) It’ll be an amazing opportunity to teach our community (11:23) about the Vietnam War and just honor our service members.

(11:27) Excellent. Thank you. (11:28) Gene, thank you so, oh, go ahead.

(11:29) I just have one thing that is kind of an appeal. (11:36) If every year since the war, (11:41) there are thousands of veterans who returned (11:44) and have since passed away for various reasons, (11:50) and they don’t have to be service-related, (11:54) but if you are a family member of a Vietnam veteran (11:58) who has since died, since their service, (12:03) the Vietnam Memorial Fund has a program, (12:06) it’s called In Memory, and there’s an online application (12:12) where you can apply and have your service member (12:16) remembered in an annual ceremony that they do (12:21) at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. (12:26) The main point that in order to have your veteran honored (12:32) and recognized at our ceremony here in Afton, (12:38) the deadline for that application (12:41) to the Memorial Fund is June 9th, (12:46) and that is all done online, and I have that. (12:53) The address for that is www.vvmf.org slash In Memory, (13:04) and if you go to that website, (13:06) it has all the details that you would need, (13:09) and essentially, you just need a copy of DD-214 (13:13) and a death certificate, and if you get that all (13:18) taken care of by the 9th of June, (13:20) then as part of our display, (13:24) those names will be included here.

(13:27) Excellent, perfect, thank you so much. (13:30) That’s, again, in the studio this morning, (13:32) Tracy Martini and Gene Bates, The Wall That Heals. (13:35) Find the details at thewallthatheals, (13:38) aftonwi2026.com. (13:39) It’s The Weekday Wakeup, this morning on SBI Radio.

(13:41) Time can be perplexing.