LEXINGTON – Local Girl Scouts are honoring North Carolinians who were killed or deemed missing in the Vietnam War by restoring their memorial in Davidson County.
The names of hundreds of veterans engraved into the monument at the North Carolina Vietnam Veterans Memorial had faded since the park was dedicated on Memorial Day, 28 years ago.
“The monument was originally built in 1991, so pressure washing and age took a toll on the names over time,” said N.C. Department of Transportation Engineering Technician Mike Lineberry, who oversees the rest area where the memorial is located along Interstate 85 South. “You have to get really close just to see there are names there.”
Lineberry reached out in the local community hoping a group might take on restoring the brick wall monument as a community service project. Members of Lexington Girl Scout Troop 41495 responded, and “by providence, everything fell together,” Lineberry said.
Twelve-year-old troop members Hannah Hicks, Bailey Hicks, Maddie Hinkle and Emma Hinkle and their mothers, Beth Hicks, Carrie Hicks and Anna Hinkle, began repainting all 1,620 veterans’ names in early June.
Bailey Hicks said seeing the size of the project was a bit overwhelming at first, but then she was reminded of what the wall represents.
“It is important to remember these veterans of the Vietnam War because they died serving our country,” Hicks said. “I am excited about painting the wall to help out the community.”
In part, the project is helping the Scouts satisfy the 50 hours of community service needed to earn their Silver Awards.
It’s also their way of thanking all veterans for their service to the nation.
“When I paint each name and look at the wall, I can be reminded of all who served in North Carolina for our country,” Emma Hinkle said.
Maddie Hinkle hopes the fresh coat of paint will draw attention to the wall and names on it.
“I hope others will see and remember the lives that were lost for our country and for those who are still missing,” she said.
The group hopes to complete the project by the fall.