Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall Makes Appearance in Perryton

By Cathy Smith
for The Hansford County Reporter-Statesman

The Hansford County Reporter-Statesman/STPNS

March 06, 2008

SPEARMAN, Texas (STPNS) -- The City of Perryton is proud to sponsor the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC (replica scaled to 80%) American Veterans Traveling Tribute.

The City of Perryton and surrounding counties are pleased to announce a tribute and celebration of our Veterans from our Revolutionary War to the Soldiers of today.

A parade escort of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. as it is brought into Perryton. The escort route will be up Highway 83 (Main Street) and on to the Ochiltree County Expo Center. A reception will be held at the Expo for those escorting the Wall into Perryton.

The Presentation of Colors each day will be conducted by branches of the Military and the Boy Scouts of America.

The Celebration will continue from Thursday, March 6th at 6 p.m. through Sunday, March 9th at the closing ceremony, which will begin at 4 p.m. (and will continue until the visitors decide to quit celebrating). This celebration will be held at Whigham Park on SE 9th Avenue and Main Street (Highway 83). The location in case of inclement weather will be in the Ochiltlree County Expo Center, 402 Expo Drive.

The Wall and other Tributes will leave Perryton on Monday, March 10th.

LaDonna Gatlin, a famous personality of the Texas Panhandle and sister of the famous Gatlin Brothers Band will sing the National Anthem on Friday at noon.

On Saturday at 1 p.m., there will be a Laying of POW and MIA and Gold Star Mothers' Wreaths. After the ceremony, a plaque will be presented to the parents of Seth Huston.

Lance Cpl. Seth Huston, 19, of Perryton died Aug. 21 in the Al Anbar province in Iraq. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, First Marine Division of the First Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Seth enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 2002, and after graduating from Perryton High School in 2003, officially joined the USMC. He was the son of Steve and Renee Huston, both of whom served in the United States Navy.

On Saturday, March 8th, at 6 p.m., a POW/MIA Table Ceremony and Tribute to those killed in action from our region. One hundred and twenty-three soldiers (the most current information we have on casualties) from our area who have been lost in war will be honored.

An open Church Service will be held on Sunday, March 9th at 10 a.m. The Riders of the 6th Annual Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway Motorcycle Run will participate in "The Ride of Honor" and will head down Highway 83 to their destination of Brownwood. At 4 p.m., State Representative Warren Chisum will give a keynote address. This wonderful celebration will end with the Retrieval of Colors and a Rifle Salute.

The American Veterans Tribute committee and Volunteers would like to extend an invitation to everyone in the area to join in this celebration of freedom and tribute to those who have made this freedom possible.

For more information, contact the Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce at 806-435-6575.

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