Visiting the Moving Wall

Visitors are encouraged to utilize the satellite parking lot at the former Newport Grand lot. Shuttles will be provided on Friday by Viking Tours, and Saturday and Sunday by Durham Bus Services. Shuttles are expected to run 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., and may be extended as needed.

The map below shows the parking lot at Newport Grand.

There will be some street parking around Touro Park for visitors, available on a first-come firs-served basis. Parking in Newport is limited. Click here for a map of public parking lots available throughout the city.

Handicapped parking placard holders will have access to spaces near Touro Park, donated by the Newport Elks Lodge #104. Public handicapped parking spaces are also available on Pelham Street and Bellevue Avenue, across the street from the park.

Thank you to the Carpionato Group, Viking Tours of Newport, and Durham School Services for assisting with these parking options.

Schedule of Events

To download the program and schedule of events, click on the button below.

TMW Program (pdf)

Unless otherwise indicated, all events will take place at Touro Park, on Bellevue Avenue between Mill Street and Pelham Street, Newport, RI.

Thursday, September 19, 2019

9:00–10:00 a.m., Arrival of The Moving Wall

Emcee: Reverend Bill Zelazny
Police and veteran motorcycle escort to Touro Park
Patriotic musical selections, performed by Tiverton High School Marching Band
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Debbie Kane
Posting of the Colors, Newport Police Department
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Patrice Tiedemann
Blessing of the Wall, Reverend Everett Greene
Moment of Silence
“Amazing Grace,” performed by Debbie Kane
Retiring of the Colors, Newport Police Department

10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., Installation

Building of The Moving Wall

7:30–8:30 p.m., Candlelight Vigil

Emcee: Capt. (Ret.) Mark L. Turner, USN
“Armed Forces Salute,” performed by Newport Navy Choristers
Opening Prayer, Pastor John Owens
Missing Man Table, Captain Anselm T.W. Richards, with Linda Beall
Old Glory Ceremony, Captain Mark L. Turner and Newport Navy Choristers
“America (My Country ‘tis of Thee),” performed by Newport Navy Choristers
Candle lighting in memory of those who died after the war from Agent Orange and other injuries
Reading of the Names,* Brian Carn and Vietnam Veterans of America, Post 273
Moment of Reflection
Benediction, Pastor John Owens
“Echo Taps,” performed by Aidan Languedoc and Andrew Chenier
“Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn),” performed by Newport Navy Choristers

Friday, September 20, 2019

10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m., The Moving Wall Opening Ceremony

Emcee: Paul A. Croce, Vietnam Veteran
Posting of the Colors, Rhode Island National Guard
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Edward King Singers
Newport Proclamation, Susan D. Taylor, Vice Chair, Newport City Council
Invocation, Wayne Smith
Guest Speaker: Former Rhode Island Chief Justice
Frank J. Williams, Vietnam Veteran
“Battle Hymn of the Republic,” performed by “The Governor’s Own” 88th Army Band Brass Quintet
Guest Speaker: U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
“America the Beautiful,” performed by Edward King Singers
Laying of the Wreath, Barbara Carnes and Newport F.O.P. Lodge 8
Benediction, Wayne Smith
“Echo Taps,” performed by “The Governor’s Own” 88th Army Band Brass Quintet
Retiring of the Colors, Rhode Island National Guard

6:30–6:45 p.m. Reading of the Names,*

Rick Kelly, Tom Devine, Bill Murphy, and Ray Chestnut • “Taps,” performed by Carl Cobb

Saturday, September 21, 2019

12:00–12:45 p.m., Lecture by Paul A. Croce, “Army Corps of Engineers Construction Activity in Central South Vietnam, 1966–67,” Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham Street

1:00–2:00 p.m., The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Recognition

Emcee: Kasim J. Yarn, Director, Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs
Honor Guard, Middletown Police Department
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Newport Community Band
Invocation, Chaplain Walter J. Foster
Middletown Proclamation, Paul A. Croce
Soldier’s Cross Ceremony, Rolling Thunder Rhode Island Chapter 1
Guest Speakers: LTC (Ret.) Margaret R. Zarek, USN, Vietnam Veteran, introduced by Kim Shute
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Newport Community Band
Guest speaker: Daniel K. Thurston, Vietnam Veteran
Guest speaker: Daniel Evangelista, Vietnam Veteran
Moment of Reflection
Benediction, Chaplain Walter J. Foster
“America the Beautiful,” performed by Newport Community Band

6:30–6:45 p.m. Reading of the Names,* Paul A. Croce

“Taps,” performed by William Chilton

Sunday, September 22, 2019

1:00–2:00 p.m., The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Recognition

Emcee: Col. (Ret.) Joseph McGraw, USA
Honor Guard, Portsmouth Police Department
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus
Invocation, Chaplain Rotunda East
Portsmouth Proclamation
Guest speaker: Frank L. Grzyb, Vietnam Veteran
“You Raise Me Up,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus
Guest speaker: John L. Ciummo, Vietnam Veteran
Benediction, Chaplain Rotunda East
“God Bless America,” performed by Narragansett Bay Chorus

6:30–6:45 p.m., Reading of the Names,* Stephen Ferris

“Taps,” performed by Don Chilton

Monday, September 23, 2019

9:00–10:00 a.m., The Moving Wall Closing Ceremony

Emcee: Kenneth “Buzz” Riley, Vietnam Veteran
“Armed Forces Medley,” performed by Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
Color Guard, Artillery Company of Newport
Welcome, Kenneth “Buzz” Riley
The Pledge of Allegiance
“The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
Invocation, Chapel of Hope
Guest speaker: Rodrego “Rudy” S. Borgueta, Vietnam Veteran
“America the Beautiful,” Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band
“Welcome Home” Quilt Dedication, Flora Jo “Peaches” Dunn
“Ragged Old Flag,” performed by Captain Roger Barnett
Guest speaker: Wayne Smith, Vietnam Veteran
Benediction, Chapel of Hope
“Taps,” performed by Navy Band Northeast’s Ceremonial Band

10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Disassembly

Break down of The Moving Wall

The Moving Wall is a two hundred forty three feet long replica, about half the size of the original on the National Mall.

The replica has a unique modular design that allows for portability. It has been touring the cities and towns across the US for 34 years leaving an imprint of education, healing, acknowledgement and inspiration.

Below is an image of the anticipated placement in Touro Park.