NORRISTOWN PA – Three coming events scheduled for October and November – in Collegeville; on Montgomery County’s Perkiomen and Green Lane trails; and in Oaks – all will be open for public participation, the county Veterans Affairs Department said.
Planned are:
- A visit by The Wall That Heals, over four days (Oct. 26-29; Thursday through Sunday) for around-the-clock (24 hours) visits at Anderson Farm Park in Upper Providence Township, 499 Hopwood Road, Collegeville PA;
- A PACT Vets & Pets run-and-walk event, on Nov. 11 (Saturday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the county’s Lower Perkiomen Valley Park, 101 New Mills Rd., Oaks PA; and
- A Veterans’ Bataan Memorial Team Ruck, Nov. 10-12 (Friday through Sunday) at various times along the Perkiomen and Green Lane trails, which cover about 33 miles of the county.
The Wall That Heals
“The Wall That Heals” is a traveling exhibit that honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. As a three-quarters’ scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The exhibit operates 24 hours a day from Oct. 26 (Thursday) at 8 a.m. through Oct. 29 (Sunday) at 2 p.m. in Anderson Farm Park. It is free to attend and open to the public.
For 28 years the exhibit, sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, has been annually brought to all parts of the nation accompanied by a mobile education center. This year’s exhibit journey began March 16 in San Luis Obispo CA.
For more information, send an e-mail to teamveterans@montgomerycountypa.gov.
PACT Vets & Pets
Those who enjoy a good run, or just a simple walk with their pet, are encouraged to participate in what PACT for Animals calls “one of (its) biggest and most fun fund-raisers,” at Lower Perkiomen Valley Park in Oaks. Proceeds benefit the organization’s work. It places pets in temporary foster homes until the owners – military personnel who are hospital patients – and their animals they can be reunited.
To date, PACT estimates it “has saved the lives of more than 6,000 pets.” It is the sole organization in the nation with its mission, the group added. PACT was founded in 2011, and is headquartered in Montgomery County.
Vets & Pets is a hybrid event, offering a 10-K run, a 5-K run, and a mile-long “patriotic puppy” walk with your dog. All start at different times. They can be completed on race day at the park, 101 New Mills Rd., Oaks, or virtually. Hosting the event are the county Sheriff’s Department, county Veterans’ Affairs Department, the county Hero Fund, The Kennel Club of Philadelphia, and The National Dog Show.
Registrations are now being accepted online.
The day includes race t-shirts, medals for fastest runners, a pet costume contest, and other activities.
Bataan Memorial Team Ruck
VetLife4Life, a South Carolina-based non-profit, will sponsor the “Veterans’ Bataan Memorial Team Ruck.” It’s a three-day hike, with some or all participants carrying weighted rucksacks or backpacks, over a length of 65 miles.
The exercise is intended in part emulate a 1942 march in which Imperial Japanese soldiers forced American and Filipino captives to walk up to 69 miles to a prisoner of war camp. Thousands died en route, and more after their arrival.
Participating marchers will travel the route over the Perkiomen and Green Lane trails from Nov. 10-12. They intend to raise funds to assist veterans dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and thoughts of suicide.
Donations are being accepted online, or by check at the Montgomery County Human Services Center, Office of Veterans Affairs, Attn. Jamie Washburn, P.O. Box 311, Norristown PA 19404. For more information, send an e-mail to teamveterans@montgomerycountypa.gov.
Photo by Caleb Fisher on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
Graphics provided by Montgomery County Veterans’ Affairs
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