For What It's Worth
From time to time this space will feature a handful of items I have found interesting in the recent past that I have felt worth expanding on. This is one of those times when a variety of activities have taken place, and so I’ve chosen to title this article “Buffet time,” as we all know that you find a variety of items in the buffet at a restaurant.
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall: I hope you took the time to take the short drive up to Olive Branch to visit the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, which was set up at the Soccer Complex off state Highway 305 and Church Road. The wall, a replica of the actual Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., was available for viewing 24-hours a day from June 4-8. The three-fifths size wall, which is 300 feet long and six feet high at the center, contains the names of the 58,311 American servicemen who died in the Vietnam War. In addition to the Vietnam wall display are similar displays honoring first responders to the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and Operation Desert Storm.
The original Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin and dedicated in 1982, featuring the iconic Vshaped black granite walls.
The purpose of the Traveling Wall is to help veterans heal, to educate younger generations, and to give families and friends a chance to visit the names of loved ones close to home. When I visited the wall last weekend, I saw someone with a piece of paper shading the name of a loved one they found who fought and died in the conflict. That reminded me of seeing the same thing take place when I went to the actual memorial in the Nation’s Capital about 11 years ago.
I’m sure we all are aware of veterans, either alive or gone, who were part of the conflict. American soldiers were deployed in 1965 and the United States was involved until leaving South Vietnam in 1975. However, the United States was part of the war as early as 1950, when President Harry Truman sent advisors and financial aid to support the French in their fight against the Viet Minh.
I do not have any relatives whose names are on the Vietnam wall, but the Vietnam years were a big part of my youth. My draft year was the first year the lottery was held but young men were not taken. Two family members, both uncles, did fight in `Nam and both came home alive. One is still alive but the other, only two years older than me, survived the conflict but was killed in a car crash on my high school graduation night, shortly after he had returned home from Asia. The moment my mother got the call that her brother had died is a moment I will never forget.
If you missed the Olive Branch stop of the wall, I think it would be a little longer to visit, but worth the trip to Millington, Tennessee when it will be erected at Abandoned Antiques at 8323 Highway 51, between July 2-6.
Plein Air Painting:
I must admit that before this past week I had never heard of “Plein Air Painting.” If you were out and about in town on Saturday you likely saw artists at various spots and street corners with easels out, sizing up a scene or subject, and applying color to a canvas.
The artists were part of the fourth annual Plein Air Holly Springs with the Kate Freeman Clark Art Gallery. I was told artists from as many as six states descended on Holly Springs, where they spent the day selecting a location or subject and then painting it, all while outdoors on site. The works were returned in the afternoon to the art gallery where they were on display, available for sale. A judge determined winners in a competition and a reception followed for all of the participants.
Plein air painting is the practice of creating art outdoors, on location, capturing natural light, weather, and atmosphere in real time. It’s rooted in the French Impressionists, but Southern plein air traditions have their own character — slower rhythms, long shadows, and a focus on community landmarks. Holly Springs is especially well known as a subject for plein air artists because of its historic architecture, street scenes, and rural edges.
I read where Kate Freeman Clark trained under William Merritt Chase, a major figure in American plein air painting, which may be another reason Holly Springs attracts artists.
Anyway, I learned about plein (as in plain or plane) air painting and enjoyed finding out more about it.
Relay for Life:
Friday was the Marshall County for Life event at the Multi-Purpose Building. Survivors of cancer or friends and family members of cancer victims I was told about $50,000 to aid the American Cancer Society fight against the disease was raised upfront ahead of the walk around the building’s floor with more expected. It was great to see the community support the effort, support that has gone on over 27 years.
About 618,000 Americans died of cancer last year, based on the American Cancer Society’s latest nationwide projections for 2025. This estimate reflects approximately 1,700 cancer deaths daily in the United States. The State Cancer Profile pegs Marshall County with an average of 11 cancer deaths a year
So much for buffet time this time. That’s what I have for now…for what it’s worth.
Bob Bakken is Editor of the South Reporter