Honoring heroes — Moving Wall coming to Newcastle
Image courtesy of Wyoming PBS U.S. Army Lt. Lee Alley, one of Wyoming’s most decorated veterans, is the subject of a Wyoming PBS documentary that will be screened Aug. 14 at the Dogie Theatre in Newcastle. Alley is expected to attend the 4 p.m. presentation, which coincides with the visit of The Moving Wall to Newcastle. The half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display next to Pinnacle Bank Aug. 13-17.
One of the nation’s most recognizable tributes to those who served in Vietnam will arrive in Newcastle next week, giving residents and visitors an opportunity to honor the more than 58,000 Americans who never returned home while also celebrating the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans.
The Moving Wall, a traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display Aug. 13-17 at the corner of U.S. highways 16 and 85, adjacent to Pinnacle Bank. The free event is open to the public 24 hours a day throughout its stay.
The 253-foot memorial is slightly more than half the length of the original wall in Washington, D.C., and is constructed from 74 individual panels standing 6 feet high
at the center. Like the
national memorial, it bears the names of more than 58,000 American service members who were killed, or remain missing in action, during the Vietnam War.
The Newcastle Wyoming Veterans Memorial Committee is bringing the nationally
recognized memorial to Weston County as part of the 2026 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally week. Organizers hope the display will not only provide a place of remembrance for veterans and their families but also introduce thousands of Rally visitors to Newcastle while raising awareness and support for the community’s planned permanent veterans memorial.
The project was made possible through partnerships with local businesses, organizations and government entities, including funding from the Wyoming Semiquincentennial Grant Program and the Weston County Travel Commission. The Wall will stand on the future site of Newcastle’s permanent veterans memorial, creating what organizers have called a once-in-a-generation opportunity to both honor veterans and build support for the lasting memorial planned for the community.
In addition to the memorial itself, organizers have scheduled several special events throughout the five-day display.
Opening ceremony
The public is invited to the official opening ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 13, at The Moving Wall site.
Col. Chris “Switch” Roness, U.S.A.F., retired will deliver the keynote address.
Roness retired in 2022 after nearly three decades of Air Force service, most recently serving as director of programs and requirements for Headquarters Special Operations Command Pacific, where he oversaw resources supporting special operations forces throughout the Indo-Pacific region. During his career, he served as a combat search-and-rescue and special operations helicopter pilot, accumulated more than 1,500 flight hours and commanded the 582nd Operations Support Squadron at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Since retiring, he has focused on helping veterans improve their quality of life through mindfulness and performance coaching.
Roness grew up in Newcastle, and is a 1989 Newcastle High School graduate, and graduated from University of Wyoming in 1993. He joined the Air Force in 1994.
PBS documentary screening
At 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, the Dogie Theatre will host a free airing of the Wyoming PBS documentary “Home from the Vietnam War.”
The film tells the story of Wyoming Vietnam veteran Lt. Lee Alley, one of the state’s most highly decorated Vietnam veterans. It explores his upbringing in Wyoming, his combat service, the difficult reception many Vietnam veterans faced upon returning home, and his lifelong struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. The documentary also highlights Alley’s continued work helping fellow veterans heal from their own wartime experiences.
Alley is expected to attend the screening and do a meet and greet with those in attendance.
Closing ceremony
The week’s events will conclude with a closing ceremony at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 16, at The Moving Wall site.
The featured speaker will be retired U.S. Army Capt. John O’Connell, a Custer, South Dakota, native and Vietnam veteran.
After earning a master’s degree from South Dakota State University and entering the Army through ROTC, O’Connell attended helicopter flight school before deploying to Vietnam in 1969. During the war, he flew more than 800 combat medical evacuation, or DUSTOFF, missions, earning numerous military decorations including multiple Air Medals, the Distinguished Service Medal and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Following his military service, O’Connell spent 45 years in the aviation industry, working in agricultural aviation, flight instruction, aircraft maintenance and aerial fire-fighting.
Time to reflect
The Moving Wall will remain open through Aug. 17, allowing visitors to experience the memorial at their own pace. Organizers encourage community members, veterans, families and Rally visitors alike to take time to visit the Wall and reflect on the sacrifices made by those whose names are etched into the memorial and by all who served during the Vietnam War. “Rubbings” of the names on the wall are encouraged.