22,000 Attend Patriotic Memorial
Event Held At Local Area Church

Click to view sponsors GRASS VALLEY, CA - During the dates of May 23-26, 2003, Christian Life Center of Grass Valley, CA, was host to the Vietnam Memorial Wall "Traveling Tribute," a 378 foot replica of the national memorial in Washington D.C. Dale A. Robbins, Senior pastor of the church, who also serves as the President of the Nevada County Ministerial Fellowship, says that the event was a joint outreach of more than twenty churches and over one hundred businesses to honor the service and sacrifice of military men and women during the week of Memorial Day. The four-day event featured a 24 hour display of the Memorial Wall, special military memorial ceremonies, a military vehicle display, free services for veterans, and a nightly drama outreach in the Christian Center.
     Extensive news coverage was provided by the Sacramento television and print media. Robbins reported that more than 22,000 persons attended the various memorial festivities, with nearly 2,500 attending the nightly dramas. "We were very pleased with the interdenominational cooperation of our churches, business and the nearly two-hundred volunteers who helped make this happen," said Robbins. "I especially appreciate the vision of my colleague, Pastor Mike Dillman of Grass Valley Assembly, whose passion for veterans helped inspire us all to rally our efforts together for this special recognition of our nation's heroes. This was originally his vision, and we were so pleased and honored to work toegther to make this all happen!" View the complete list of organizers and sponsors. Click on photos below for a larger view.
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A memorial left by a visitor at the foot of the wall, in memory of Michael Ketch, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968 at the age of 18. Thousands came to see the Memorial Wall, during its four day exhibit. The event was widely reported by local and regional media. Free meals, along with free services such as haircuts, memorial dog tags, hats were given to the more than 2,000 veterans who registered.
 
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Bob Gutierrez, a Vietnam War veteran, and guest speaker, was interviewed on TV. Sacramento TV News from KQCA Channel 58, KCRA Channel 3, KXTV Channel 10, covered the event. The Memorial Event was hosted on the 15+ acres of Christian Life Center. The nightly dramas were conducted in the church auditorium
     
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Scores of volunteers from Grass Valley Assembly, Christian Life Center, and other churches help assemble the traveling wall. Steady streams of visitors jam CLC's parking facilities. Special thanks to special units of CHP and CalTrans who helped direct traffic. The Traveling Tribute is a 4/5th replica of the National Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC, and bears the 58,215 names of soldiers who died.
     
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Many military veterans and their families brave the unusually hot weather to attend the opening ceremony of the Memorial Wall. Flanked by Pastor Dale Robbins and Chairman Pastor Mike Dillman, and the county board of supervisors, Nevada County Supervisor Sue Horne addresses the crowd. A flag and tribute letter is left beneath the name of a loved-one on the wall. The background panel reads, “Freedom is not Free. You will never be Forgotten.”
     
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People came from the local community, as well as from others states, to view the names of friends or loved-ones inscribed on the wall. Many brought flowers, cards and other tributes to leave at the wall beneath the names of loved-ones who died in the war. Marty and Sue Main, among the scores of volunteers who gave their time to help make this event successful.
     
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This panel is displayed at the center of the wall, above the names of soldiers, with the words, “The Price of Freedom is Written on This Wall.” The nightly dramas featured the patriotic music of Fred and Donal Meeks. Sarah Wynn portrays Abigal Adams, in a historical presentation of patriotic personalities.
     
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A dramatic scene that shows the reflection of deceased soldiers from the memorial wall.  More than 2,500 persons attended the three dramatic performances. A two-acre replica of the Arlington National Cemetery was created, displaying hundreds of crosses and flags.
     
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A 90 foot crane displays a 40x50 foot Vietnam MIA/ Prisoner of War flag, the largest in existence. Various venders, including the Nevada County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, operated booths during the event. The Vietnam War memorial art exhibit by Norm Bergsma was an added inspiration to all who came by to visit the gallery under the tent.
     
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Rev. Dale A. Robbins, Pastor of Christian Life Center and President of the NCCMF speaks to a meeting of the local pastors. Officer Chal DeCecco of the Placer County Sheriff's Department, watches the closing ceremonies, as he supervises security over the event. Visitors walk a trail toward the memorial area tent which housed name-locator computers, along with a Vietnam War art exhibit.
 
Nevada County Christian Ministerial Fellowship
Christian Life Center of Grass Valley