TUNKHANNOCK, Pa. — During school hours, students had a chance to hear about the wall and what it means. Some of the students didn't know much about the Vietnam war but learning about it gave them a new perspective.
"Just not to forget, because like it's important, even if it is important to you, it's important to a lot of other people," said eighth-grader Brandon Mateus.
It was also a chance for students to interact with Vietnam veterans who made it home from the war, unlike the more than 58,000 names listed on the wall, and hear personal stories about what the homecoming was like for veterans.
"It's really upsetting they weren't respected when they came back, and I think that this is a really cool way to honor them, and I think it's really neat that we have it here in Tunkhannock," eighth-grader Sarah Demarco said.
Students have been learning about the Vietnam War in the classroom, but it's made much more of an impact seeing the wall in person.
"It makes it real. It's something that they can see and touch, and I explained to them how people will come up there and do an etching on the names," said Susan Allen, a navy veteran and teacher in the district.
"I didn't know that much. It's way more than I thought it would be," Mateus said. "It's just kind of sad."
Erin Van Ness says her grandfather fought in Vietnam and says he doesn't talk about it much because he lost his brother, whose name is on the wall.
"It's crazy that I know someone that's been involved in this, but it just makes me appreciate it that much more," Van Ness said.
More than 58,000 names brought hundreds of people to Tunkhannock Area High School.
Those names appear on the traveling Wall that Heals a scaled-down version of the Vietnam memorial in Washington DC that travels all over the country for people to visit and reflect on the lives lost during a controversial time.
"A lot of these guys didn't want to go and were drafted and had to had to go," said Norman Kahle of Dimock.
Norman and Lucinda Kahle wanted to see the wall to find the name of Norman's friend James Lynch who died in Vietnam.
"Overwhelmed, not just his name, all the other young guys that gave their life for our country, and it's about time they get recognized," said Lucinda.
The healing wall was supposed to come in 2020, but because of COVID, that wasn't able to happen in this last year has been difficult, especially for veterans.
So getting out here was just as important for them to heal.
"You've got to let out what you saw over there. The one thing that kept me going over there was my family. I got a letter every day, some days maybe two," said Robert Sharer, Vietnam War Veteran.
"A couple guys hurt bad stuff. I can't talk too much about some of that. But you do the best you can. I'm just grateful to be home," added Ricardo Morales, also a Vietnam vet.
Having a traveling version of the memorial was the perfect opportunity for many people to take in the somber memorial... so close to home.
"When we heard that it was coming to Tunkhannock and we're whatever 25 miles away, it was nothing for us to jump in the car and right up here and basically pay our respects, and it's amazing," said Steven Gedrich of Throop.
The wall is open to the public, and a memorial service is held each night at 6 p.m. while the wall is on display until Sunday.