The Global War on Terror Wall of Remembrance will be on display in Charlie Brown Park in Flora for the Fourth of July. After spending the night in Kinmundy, the wall led by police, fire, ambulance, Freedom Riders, and a Gold Star Mother left just before noon for Louisville and then south into Flora.
The Romans Warrior Foundation owns the wall and raises money to allow it to tour around the U.S. Brian Romans says they began their mission when acquiring the wall in 2017.
“I have 28 Marines on the Wall. It is a personal endeavor and heartfelt mission to keep their memories alive and to keep their legacies going.”
Romans described the wall that includes twin towers that represent the Twin Towers brought down by terrorists in 2001 that started the war in Iraq.
“It is 120 feet long and it represents all the lives lost from the 1983 bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut Lebanon to the withdrawal of forces from Kabul in 2021. It has two applications to it. It has an honor side that has all the names. It has an educational piece. The education piece is something your children will not receive in any school system throughout the United States today.”
Romans works with Michael Gaspirini of Kinmundy in moving the wall around the country after the two served together in Iraq.
“The goal is to continue to travel and let people know that fallen heroes are to be remembered daily, not just on Memorial Day.”
Romans fears his generation is trying to forget the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Leading the wall on its trip from Kinmundy to Flora today was Betty Richards of Olney who lost her son ‘Levi’ in combat.
“He was killed in Iraq in 2005. He was in the United States Army. He’s been gone now almost 20 years.”
The Wall of Remembrance will be on display in Charley Brown Park in Flora from nine until dusk as part of Flora’s 4th of July program. If it is raining, there is a pavilion to stay dry while viewing the wall.
The Flora Chamber of Commerce 4th of July Celebration also includes an All American Boy/Girl Contest, face paintings and caricature drawings, a Patriotic Quilt Display, and Little Toot Train Rides all of which begin at ten. Food trucks will be available beginning at eleven. Extreme Inflatables will be available from one to seven with a $30 bracelet. The Van Waylon Band will perform on stage from four to eight. A pool party begins at six. The City of Flora’s fireworks display closes the evening at nine.
Explanation of the Wall of Remembrance. Photo supplied.
Close-up of a portion of the Global War on Terror. Submitted photo.
Gold Star Mom Betty Richards of Olney with Nancy O’Connell of the Olney VFW.
Part of the gathering of vehicles getting ready to leave the Kinmundy-Alma Fire Station for Flora. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Romans Warrior Foundation truck hauling the disassembled wall as it prepares to leave the Kinmundy-Alma Fire Station for Flora. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
