SPANISH FORK — When the half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall is set up in the city cemetery for a few days, city officials are expected to enter into a covenant during opening ceremonies on Sept. 9 to support military families.
The ceremony begins at noon.
"The covenant does not call for a specific plan or specific ways in which (Spanish Fork) will support the families; it simply calls for support," assistant city manager Seth Perrins said.
The Community Covenant, backed by the Utah National Guard, commits Spanish Fork to support all branches of the military and their families, particularly when they are deployed.
Military personnel are making their way throughout Utah and the nation setting up similar covenants. It launched April 17, 2008, with a signing ceremony in Columbus, Ga., with the Fort Benning community with the intent to knit communities together, including city halls, educators, religious leaders and other organizations.
The Moving Wall, which has traveled the country for more than 25 years, will remain in the Spanish Fork cemetery Sept. 8-13. Viewing hours correspond with cemetery hours, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Four Spanish Fork-area soldiers' names are on the wall, which is a smaller version of the memorial in Washington, D.C. They are U.S. Army Sgt. Marvin Leroy, Air Force Lt. Col. Franklin Angel Caras, Lance Cpl. Larry Lee Thornton and Army Spc. Blaine Joseph Shepherd.
The wall also lists the names of 35 other Utah County soldiers and other casualties from Utah and throughout the United States. It includes servicemen and women missing in action or held as prisoners of war.
On Oct. 20-24, the wall is scheduled to visit Washington County at Veterans Memorial Park, 25 E. Telegraph St., Washington City.
— Rodger L. Hardy