Firefighter’s donate to The Moving Wall cause

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EAST LIVERPOOL - A donation was given by a union representing city firefighters to bring "The Moving Wall" back to Thompson Park for a visit next September.

The Moving Wall is the half-size replica of the Washington, DC, Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than 20 years.

It made its first and only appearance in East Liverpool in 1994.

Ron Simmons, president of the East Liverpool Veterans City Council, was on hand Thursday to accept the donation. The Veterans City Council is the main sponsor for the event, but Simmons said it will take members from throughout the community working together to make the event a success.

The union donated $250 toward the cause and the check was presented by International Association of Firefighters Local 24 union President William F. Jones.

"This donation is not only for The Moving Wall, but also in honor of Ron and all the hard work he's done to help us through the years and get the aerial truck."

Simmons wrote letters and contacted state and local officials to push the grant request along.

"A lot of people have been approaching me and asking when the wall would return. This will help," Simmons said.

So far, the group has raised $345. That amount has now jumped to $595 after Tuesday's donation.

Simmons estimated costs at roughly $10,000 in total expenses to bring the event to the park. It costs $4,000 in contact fees alone to get the Wall.

"We hope to raise funds for the $2,000 down payment," Simmons said. The other half of the money is due when the Wall is dismantled.

The recent donation will go toward fulfilling that $2,000 down payment.

"The main hump to get over is the $2,000 mark," Simmons said. The amount must be turned in by the first part of January.

Simmons said donations may be sent to the East Liverpool Veterans City Council at P.O. box 496, East Liverpool, Ohio, 43920. In the memo line of any check, Simmons said to simply write, "Wall."

The entire effort - including the construction and placement of the Wall at Thompson Park - will be handled by volunteers.