Over 8000 Visitors to The Wall That Heals Visiting Port Townsend

Since the closing ceremony at The Wall That Heals on September 13th, life has been a whirlwind of events. I’ve photographed a small wedding, family sessions, professional headshots & several community events. So I know I'm late in sharing some photos from the closing day & ceremony.

In just a short stay here in PT, The Wall welcomed over 8,000 visitors who came to honor their loved ones. I had the privilege of meeting so many incredible individuals who shared their heartfelt stories of loss—each one a testament to the love they held for their friend or family member. If the moment felt appropriate, I offered to capture their memories with photos, either alongside the wall rubbing they had created or next to the panel bearing the name of the Veteran they were honoring.

One story that truly touched my heart was from a friend who told me about her cousin. Michael Lee Parker, a Marine who, at just nineteen, tragically lost his life just nine days after arriving in Vietnam. I met another friend who was there to honor Byron G. Highland, someone his Father had known in Vietnam. Byron was a Marine Corps Combat Photographer killed in Vietnam in February of 1967 when his jeep struck a landmine. Alongside him was war correspondent & historian Bernard B. Fall, who was also killed during Operation Chinook II. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byron_G._Highland

These encounters reminded me of the profound impact of sharing stories and preserving memories. I believe these men & women honored on either the replica of The Wall, or the one in Washington D.C., will not be forgotten as long as we continue to say their names & tell their stories. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers & businesses that made it possible for The Wall to be here in PT. Visiting The Wall was an incredibly powerful experience. My partner, Donald Fauth, was seriously wounded on December 6, 1967, while on a River Patrol Boat & spent a year in a VA hospital. He celebrated two birthdays each year, one in May & the other on December 7th.