James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center opens fund for Wall That Heals
Community-wide fundraiser aims to repair 72-plaque wall
Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation President Allan Hancock walks with his wife, Judy, past the Wall That Heals at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Tuesday morning. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow
Volunteer Jack Clay looks at the Wall That Heals, which he has repaired this summer alongside Ken Tedora of Central Pennsylvania National Guard and Veterans Association. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow.
Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation President Allan Hancock walks with his wife, Judy, past the Wall That Heals at the James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center Tuesday morning. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow
Volunteer Jack Clay looks at the Wall That Heals, which he has repaired this summer alongside Ken Tedora of Central Pennsylvania National Guard and Veterans Association. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow.
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While the Wall That Heals at James E. Van Zandt Veterans Administration Medical Center was installed 26 years ago, it has since worn down with weather and time.
Ken Tedora of the Central Pennsylvania National Guard & Veterans Association noticed the deterioration and advocated for repairs in July.
Since then, the VA medical center partnered with the Central Pennsylvania Community Foundation and started a community-wide fundraiser to repair the 72-plaque wall and ensure its longevity with an endowment.
Intending to raise more than $200,000, local supporters of the wall gathered Tuesday morning under the center's pavilion to mark the fundraiser's meaning and encourage community members to contribute.
Vietnam Navy veteran and Wall That Heals committee co-chair Paul Johnson said the wall means a lot to him, as 20 soldiers on the wall, including his best friend, died from a ship blowing up the year after Johnson left the Navy.
"This is a fine memorial to not only our state, but to the world," he said.
Tedora said he and VA Voluntary Services Supervisor John Clay began looking at the wall and searching for the problems behind its deterioration. During periods of rainfall, water would enter behind the plaque, destroying the joints and sitting on the back of the plaque behind the wall.
Over the years, he said the heat and cold -- and the small screws -- pushed the plaques from the wall. The VA hospital continued to conduct small repairs over time, using cement or glue to hold the plaques against the wall.
After removing the plaques from the wall, Tedora realized they must clean them first, chipping off the cement and glue before coating them to eliminate the moisture issue.
They also dropped the holes on top of the wall by an inch and a half while raising the holes on the bottom by an inch and a half, he said. Tapcon, or concrete screws, will be used to hold the plaques to the wall.
"And if something happens in the future, they should be easy to take off and repair," he said.
So far, Van Zandt has received two painted and clear-coated plaques from Vince's Auto Body Shop, Clay said.
He said the biggest issue is where the screws were located on the wall and how they were installed, because wind blowing through the Wall That Heals caused damage to many panels. To avoid these issues in the future, they need to reset the anchor points.
"To secure this and make it what it was 25 years ago, that's what this is about, and giving our people that, with the resources that we have available," he said.
Funding for the wall's future
CPCF President Allan Hancock went into planning mode after hearing about the wall's current state from Tedora and Clay's son and volunteer, Jack.
As they celebrated $20,000 in funds on Tuesday, Hancock said they want to raise more.
"I want ten times that number, so that we have perpetuity on this wall, we can pay for some of the more extensive costs that take place," he said, adding that funding will care for future erosion and plaque deterioration.
He also announced the wall's name change to "The Veterans Wall That Heals" to emphasize the sacrifice veterans made for their country.
CPCF CEO Jodi Cessna said the foundation is more than excited to partner with the VA medical center to restore the wall.
She said it would be great to have the community come together to recognize all the local veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
"If it's $2.50, that's great; if it's $20,000, that's great. If it's $100,000, we'll take it all because this is the type of thing you don't ever want to forget," she said. "We always want to remember our veterans, so this is a perfect way to especially celebrate our Vietnam veterans."
For those interested in donating to the wall, she said donations are accepted in person at the CPCF office, 1616 E. Pleasant Valley Blvd., and online through their website.
Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.