Altoona is lucky to have a replica of the Vietnam Wall at the Van Zandt VA Medical Center.

Recently, I made a trip to the wall to visit with my cousin and friends who are always there on the wall. I could not find my cousin’s name, so I asked a man who was working on the Wall. He brought me to the office and searched panels stacked in a corner. He found the panel, one of a number that had been removed for repairs and re-cementing.

We talked and I found out the VA provided the ground for the Wall, but no funds for upkeep or improvements.

With all the American Legions and VFWs in Blair and Bedford counties, I thought volunteers would exist in large numbers. The gentleman I talked to apparently digs into his own pocket to do what repairs he can.

Before the Wall becomes lost in history, local veterans organizations need to find out what needs to be done to preserve it.

Time for folks in this area to realize the thousands of names on the Wall are Americans who lost their lives fighting for this country; they came from all over the country, many from this area.

It is in need of better lighting, a new drainage system, routine maintenance, upkeep and most of all, volunteers.

Perhaps our local and national political leaders might do something to assist.

This is a responsibility of not just veterans but everyone. If you never served, now is your time to honor those who did.

Jim Greenwald

Bedford County