Wildcats Basketball Team On the Road, Lady Cats at Home on Game Day Friday
The Wildcats Basketball Team will be traveling to Royse City to face a former district opponent on this game day Friday (December 11). The schedule calls for a freshmen game at 5 p.m. A JV contest is scheduled to start at 6:15 p.m. The varsity game will begin at around 7 p.m. The Wildcats varsity comes into Friday’s game with a 5-4 record. They will be trying to get a bad taste out of their mouths after a heartbreaking loss at Garland Naaman Forest Tuesday night. A Ranger three point basket right at the final buzzer left the Wildcats with a one point loss. The Wildcats are 3-2 in road games so far this season.
Meanwhile the Lady Cats Basketball Team begins district play at home Friday evening against Mount Pleasant. The varsity game is scheduled to start at around 6 p.m. A JV contest is scheduled at 5 p.m. The Lady Cats varsity has a 3-3 season record. They are coming off of a good road win Tuesday evening at New Boston. The Lady Cats trailed at the half by five points before going on a 22-0 run in the third quarter on the way to a 47-24 win. The Lady Cats are 1-2 on their home court this season. KSST Radio will bring you the Lady Cats and Lady Tigers contest beginning at around 6 p.m. The game is expected to have streaming video and audio. The contest will be videotaped for replay at a later date on Suddenlink Cable Channel 18.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
DSHS Reconfigures COVID-19 Dashboard To Improve Functionality
Probable Cases, Antigen Test Positivity Rate Added To Reports
Just when you get used to the where and how the state reports COVID-19 information, they switch things up. Another COVID-19 reporting change was announced by Texas Department of State Health Services on Friday. The latest update revamped the COVID-19 data dashboard with a goal of posting additional information and improving functionality.
The updated COVID-19 dashboard (which at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 11 still showed the Dec. 10 case counts) consolidated several areas of the dashboard to provide multiple cases for each county in one location, as well as filters for sorting categories by maps and demographic tabs. COVID-19 dashboard users can toggle between confirmed and probable cases, fatalities, and active and recovered estimates by county on a single tab. Case and fatality demographics are also be consolidated onto one tab.
A link on the DSHS COVID-19 page and at the bottom of the case counts dashboard still has be clicked to access testing and hospital data, however.
DSHS added to the testing and hospital dashboard tabs and sorting filters for case counts of probable cases statewide and by county. Probable cases are those identified through antigen testing or a combination of symptoms and a known exposure without a more likely diagnosis. DSHS notes that reporting probable cases provides a more complete picture of how COVID-19 is affecting Texas since both confirmed and probable cases represent active infections. Thus, both will be included in the estimates of active and recovered cases.
In addition to the probable case counts, DSHS is adding a positivity rate for antigen tests. This positivity rate, based on when people were tested, aligns with the most reliable positivity rate for molecular tests, according to DSHS. These positivity rates, which show the percentage of tests taken in a given period that are positive, provide a view of the severity of the pandemic over time, closely reflecting the conditions when people were tested.
“These dashboard refinements are part of our effort to continually improve our insight and response to the ongoing pandemic,” said Dr. John Hellerstedt, DSHS commissioner. “The development and increased use of antigen testing to detect current infections prompted the inclusion of probable case counts and the antigen test positivity rate in the data we post daily. The trends in this and other data shape our understanding of the course of the pandemic in Texas.”
After several months of posting three positivity rates for molecular tests, DSHS will retire the rates based on when lab results were reported to the state and the legacy rate which used the number of new confirmed COVID-19 cases over seven days divided by the number of new molecular test results over the same period, the DSHS announcement stated.
GSC Enterprises Acquiring Selected Brenham Wholesale Grocery Assets
December 11, 2020 – Mickey McKenzie, Chairman of the Board of GSC Enterprises, Inc., Friday announced the acquisition of selected assets of Brenham Wholesale Grocery Co., Inc., located in Brenham, Texas. The anticipated closing is scheduled for January 29, 2021.
“Brenham Wholesale has been in the grocery business for over 100 years, and we are excited to carry the torch forward from their rich legacy,” McKenzie stated.
Brenham Wholesale Grocery Co. was established as a partnership in 1905 and was later incorporated in 1909. They currently service and provide over 12,000 items to over 1,200 convenience stores, food service, grocery, institutional, and warehouse clients.
Ryan McKenzie, Chief Operating Officer of GSC stated, “We are excited to welcome the Brenham team into the GSC family. With over 250,000 square feet of warehouse space, Brenham will serve as a strategic distribution point for our company and will provide us with several operational efficiencies. We are thankful for the continued growth in our existing service area and see the acquisition of Brenham Wholesale as a perfect fit with both companies sharing similar values and cultures.”
Stephen Miller, President and CEO of Brenham Wholesale Co. stated, “We are excited about the opportunity to be part of the GSC team which will bring growth and additional jobs to Brenham. The synergies between the two companies with deep Texas roots and strong community ties will provide resources to better serve our customers and employees in the future.”
GSC, headquartered in Sulphur Springs, is a family owned and operated business, founded in 1947, with two operating companies — Grocery Supply Company and Fidelity Express. With a coverage area of over 10 states, Grocery Supply Company is making strategic growth strides despite the difficulties of 2020.
GSC is not only devoted to its employees and customers, but also, its community. A desire to serve all stakeholders is at the heart of GSC’s core values, a press release for the company stated.
In addition to the forthcoming Brenham acquisition, GSC operates out of Meridian, Mississippi, as well. The acquisition of selected assets of Long Wholesale, Inc. in Meridian, Mississippi by GSC was announced last month. The 144,000 square foot space in Meridian was designated to serve as a strategic distribution point in the Southeast for GSC.
“Meridian and Brenham, are wonderful communities, and we are delighted to be a part of them both,” said Mickey McKenzie.
GSC offers special thanks to Bulkley Capital for their assistance with this transaction. Bulkley Capital also assisted with the Long Wholesale acquisition.
Cumby Man Allegedly Caught Stealing Cooler
A 23-year-old was allegedly caught stealing a cooler Thursday, according to police reports.
Cumby Police Chief Paul Robertson reported spotting the Cumby man around 11 a.m. December 10, 2020 outside a West Main Street residence struggling to remove a cable attaching a cooler to the bed of a pickup.
Robertson in arrest reports wrote that he recognized the man as a “known thief and drug user.” The police chief noted the man was at a residence that was not the man’s address and in which the resident is typically not home at that time of day.
After contacting the 23-year-old, Robertson confirmed the man not only did not have permission to remove the cooler from the truck bed, but he didn’t have permission to even be on the property. Based on those findings, Robertson concluded the 23-year-old Cumby man was committing a vehicle burglary.
Robertson alleged in arrest reports that during a conversation with the burglary suspect, the man “admitted he was in the commission of stealing the cooler to trade for dope.”
Consequently, the 23-year-old Cumby man was arrested on a Class A misdemeanor burglary of a vehicle charge. He spent the night in Hopkins County jail and was released Friday on a $1,000 bond on the charge.
Thursday was the 23-year-old Cumby man’s third time to be booked into Hopkins County jail this year. He was also arrested July 5 for public intoxication (his third Hopkins County PI arrest in 3 years) and Aug. 11 for possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana.
KSST does not publish the names or photos of people charged with misdemeanor crimes in staff-generated reports, only those accused of felony offenses.
Blue Santa Receives $2,000 Boost From BT Medical, District 7 Masons
Blue Santa received a $2,000 boost from B.T. Medical Supplies LLC and District 7 Masons and to ensure all Hopkins County children have gifts to open Christmas morning.
“The needs this year are greater. The response that we get through our normal toy collection and means has not been the same. We’ve had a downturn the past several years. As the needs are great, the funds are less. It kind of puts us in a situation,” said Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy/Law Enforcement Association member Tanner Crump.
District 7 Deputy Grand Master Clay Bartley Friday morning explained that in the past Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and Law Enforcement Association members have been a big help to the Masons’ annual Help A Child benefit for children, not only staffing and working the event but also cooking in the contests as well. The $1,000 donation is a way to help give back to the law enforcement officers who so often support the Masons but also another means to help children in the community.
“We as a District felt that this year has kind of been a rough year for everybody. I think the Blue Santa program is a little short this year too. We just want to reciprocate this year and present the Blue Santa program with a little donation ourselves just to give back, and its also helping the children. We just want to say thanks for all that you do. You have helped us and we’d like to help you back,” Bartley told sheriff’s office employees present for the Friday morning check presentations.
Masons in District 7, which includes Sulphur Bluff Masonic Lodge No. 246, Sulphur Springs Masonic Lodge No. 221 and Hopkins Masonic Lodge No. 180 (Cumby), contributed $500 for Blue Santa and received a $500 Grand Lodge Of Texas funding match to help Blue Santa. Masons presented a $1,000 check to the Blue Santa program to help stretch the program dollars to provide for more children.
B.T. Medical Supplies LLC Friday morning went a step further, by matching the Masons’ donation with a $1,000 check to help the program provide for all 309 children on Blue Santa’s list this year.
“This year we’ve had businesses, groups, organizations come through with checks such as this opportunity that you are helping us with that have really met those needs. So, we are going to be able to do what we need to do for the kids,” Crump said. “The good thing about this is we partner with CANHelp. It really goes to the people that need it. That’s what makes us feel good, especially from the law enforcement perspective. There are measures in place to make sure it’s not abused. Every dollar you give, every toy you give, is going to those people that really need it not just people who say they need it.”
That need has been seen at BT Medical Supplies. The business’ Linda Drive location allows them to see the increased need among local families. As lines of vehicle waiting to receive help from nearby organizations have spanned blocks, appearing to be three times as many seeking assistance this year than in the past 13 years the medical supply business has been at the current address.
Blue Santa barrels are being collected from partnering locations in the community Friday, and volunteers will be able to use the funds contributed to do some additional shopping Friday to see that the needs of the 309 children on Blue Santa’s list are met.
“There are some older kids especially that we need to buy for. We just don’t have the stuff yet, but it will be taken care of,” Crump said.
“We also set aside money to take care of last minute stuff too,” said HCSO Sheriff’s Investigator Dennis Findley. “When something comes up that we don’t foresee, we have the funds to take care of that as well.”
While toy distribution is scheduled Saturday, Dec. 12, the sheriff’s office will continue to accept toy and monetary donations for Blue Santa through Christmas. The funds and toys go to families who would not be able to provide Christmas gifts for their children any other way.
“We know that they would not have anything. It’s not a choice for their parents. They can’t even make that choice. This is the only opportunity they get,” Crump said.
“We are still taking toys right up to the last minute. We will have families that come in at the last minute with items. We are not going to turn them away,” said Angela Price with HCSO. “We are going to continue to take in donations because families that didn’t get registered at the deadline, the sheriff’s office will still work to help those. We helped quite a few last year after the distribution date that didn’t get signed up.”
Any donations made this year that are not needed will be stored for use by the Blue Santa program for Christmas 2021.
“We have a great opportunity for storage with Grocery Supply. They are able to help us keep those toys, keep them itemized so we keep up with what we have as things come in we’ll take them all year long,” Price said. That’s not a problem for us. We will continue that.”
Price said Blue Santa will be making a few changes over the next year to make it even easier to donate to the program through the year. As details about those changes are firmed up in 2021, they will be communicated to the community.
“We are excited and enthusiastic about what we are going to do throughout the year to be more prepared for next year because of the downturn we have experienced. We are going to try to do more so that when it comes to crunch time we are not in a bind, where we might be this year. Things are working our really well. Thank you so much,” Crump said.
Shop Delicious Variety of Cheese Gift Crates from SW Dairy Museum thru Dec. 18
Christmastime calls for delicious Cheese Gift Crates from the SouthWest Dairy Museum in Sulphur Springs. These personalized gift crates come in several sizes for gifting or for keeping all for yourself! Select from cheeses of all types made by SW dairy farmers, add in sausage, cheesecake mixes, mulling spice and drink and dip mixes packaged to fill your personalized order. Pick up your cheese crates in person or have the staff ship your order to the recipients on your gift list, whether personal, business or corporate. Make plans now to include people-pleasin’ SouthWest Dairy Farmers Cheese Gift Crates as a delicious part of Christmas 2020! You can drop by through December 18, 2020 at 1210 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Or you can place your order by phone by calling 903-439-6455, or view the selections online at www.southwestdairyfarmers.com. The final day to ship for Christmas arrival is December 18, 2020. Hurry! Christmas isn’t complete without a Gift Cheese Crate under the tree! As the SouthWest Dairy Museum of Sulphur Springs, Texas prepares to close for the holidays at 5pm on Friday December 18, a Merry Christmas and a bright, healthy New Year is wished to you from the staff!
Lady Cats Soccer Team Drops First Scrimmage At Home, 2-1 to Royse City
The Lady Cats Soccer Team scored first in their scrimmage game with Royse City Thursday night, December 10, at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Lady Bulldogs answered with two goals of their own in the second half to take the scrimmage game, 2-1.
Lady Cats sophomore Rebekah Stanley scored the Lady Cats goal at the 24:14 mark in the first half. Senior Janine Yamaguchi assisted on the goal. The Lady Cats went into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead. It held up for a little more than 14 minutes into the second half.
The Lady Bulldogs dangerous scorer, junior Trinity Hernandez, scored at the 25:49 mark of the second half to tie the score 1-1. Royse City scored another goal at 18:34 in the second half to take a 2-1 lead. The Lady Cats had several near misses as they attempted to get the equalizing goal. Yamaguchi hit the crossbar with a shot at 14:26. Stanley had a shot go just wide 18 seconds later. Yamaguchi also had a shot go just wide at 13:09.
After the game, just for the practice, each team took five penalty kicks. Royse City made all five and the Lady Cats netted three of five. Scoring on the PKs for the Lady Cats were Yamaguchi, sophomore Isabelle Thesing and Stanley.
Lady Cats Coach Javier Aguayo said it was a good game and, as you might expect from two former district rivals, both teams played hard and with intensity. He said he was pretty pleased with his team’s defense. Coach Aguayo said they needed to do a better job of communicating with each other. He said the Lady Cats seemed to get a little comfortable in the second half. He said the young team has a lot of growing to do but he said the skill is there.
The Lady Cats next scrimmage will be against Paris next Thursday at Prim Stadium. Coach Aguayo said the scrimmage was originally scheduled for next Tuesday but was moved to next Thursday so some of Paris’ soccer team members could play in the Paris band at State Competition.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Dec. 10 COVID 19 Update: 1 Fatality, 5 New Cases
Another COVID-19 fatality was reported for Hopkins County on Thursday, along with five new COVID-19 cases and an increase in the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs, according to the Dec. 10 Texas Department of State Health Services COVID-19 dashboard and Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials’ Dec. 10 COVID-19 update.
Dec. 10 COVID-19 Case Counts
Recoveries continues to outpace new cases this month, despite the fact that there were no new recoveries reported Thursday. In fact, in only four of the first 10 days of December have recoveries been reported: 80 on Dec. 2, two each on Dec. 4 and Dec. 5, and 32 on Dec. 9.
A total of 104 new COVID-19 cases have been reported for Hopkins County so far this month, which is 12 fewer new cases than recoveries reported this month, including 23 this week.
The 104 new cases for the first 10 days of the month is still ahead of the pace for the first 10 days of November when 10 new cases were reported and October when only 51 cases had been reported through Oct. 10.
Because there were no new recoveries Thursday to offset the new cases, the active case count rose to 66 on Dec. 10. That’s 66 Hopkins County residents who have been lab-confirmed via molecular tests and currently have the virus.
Hospital Reports
Hopkins County/Sulphur Springs Emergency Management officials in the Dec. 10 COVID-19 update reported the patient count in the COVID-19 unit at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs is 23 for the third day this week and the fifth time this month. (CMFHSS patient counts are only reported by HC/SSEM on weekdays). The patient count in the COVID unit has not been higher so far this month and has only been lower on three days in December: 21 patients on Dec. 2, 20 patients on Dec. 3 and 22 patients on Dec. 9. The last time the patient count in the COVID unit was below 20 was on Nov. 25, when 19 were reported.
COVID-19 hospitalizations increased from 157 to 166 on Thursday, although total hospitalizations declined from 621 on Wednesday to 604 on Thursday. Overall, COVID-19 hospitalization account for 15.36 percent of the total hospital capacity in Trauma Service Area F which includes most of Northeast Texas, including Hopkins County and CMFHSS. This follows a week in which COVID-19 hospitalization remained below the 15 percent threshold.
Also on Dec. 10, TSA F had 1,081 total staffed hospital beds, six less than on Wednesday, and 990 total staffed inpatient beds, 14 less.
Only five ICU beds were available in TSA F on Thursday, one less than on Wednesday, but two more than on Tuesday and one more than on Monday. The number of available ventilators throughout TSA F decreased by six to 64 on Thursday, the same as on Tuesday, but one more than on Monday, and three less than on Sunday. On Thursday, there were 386 available hospital beds in Area F, three more than on Wednesday, but nine less than on Tuesday and 12 less than on Monday; the least number of available beds this week in Area F hospitals wsa 352 on Dec. 4.
| Hospital Category | Dec. 7 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 9 | Dec. 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Staffed Hospital Beds | 1078 | 1072 | 1095 | 1081 |
| Available Hospital Beds | 398 | 395 | 383 | 386 |
| Available ICU Beds | 4 | 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Available Ventilators | 63 | 64 | 70 | 64 |
| Lab-Confirmed COVID-19 Patients in Hospital | 152 | 157 | 157 | 166 |
| Total Hospitalizations | 589 | 586 | 621 | 604 |
| Total Staffed Inpatient Beds | 987 | 981 | 1004 | 990 |
| Percent Capacity | 14.1 | 14.85 | 14.34 | 15.36 |
Testing
On Wednesday, Dec. 9, personnel at the free testing site at 128-A Jefferson St. performed 99 COVID-19 tests. That’s 380 tests conducted at the site in the last week and 681 in December. Since the Red Cross Building opened Sept. 25 as a testing center 5,212 molecular tests have been performed there.
Free molecular COVID-19 testing continues to be offered Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of December.
Testing is available for anyone, but registration must be completed by an adult age 18 or older in advance online at www.GoGetTested.com to schedule the oral COVID swab.
Those testing should bring the number with the QR code sent to them upon completion of registration and a photo ID to 128-A Jefferson St. at their designated time. This is not a drive-through location. The COVID-19 test will be performed inside the building.
Testers will be asked if they have consumed anything by mouth in the 15-20 minutes prior to arrival. Those who have will be required to wait the requisite time before testing to better ensure a more accurate result.
The Local Health Authority nurse recommends people getting the oral molecular swab test from the free state testing site refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, vaping, chewing gum or brushing their teeth for at least an hour prior to the test. Doing so, she reports, will make a difference in the outcome of the test.
COVID-19 Fatalities
The DSHS Dec. 10 COVID-19 Case Count Fatalities by County of Residence dashboard showed a 60th COVID-19 death has been confirmed for Hopkins County. The resident was confirmed by death certificate to have died from COVID-19 on Dec. 2. At only 10 days in, two Hopkins County residents have been confirmed to have died this month from COVID-19. The first COVID-19 death, announced Wednesday, occurred on Dec. 1.
That increases the fatality rate from 6.34 percent to 6.41 percent of Hopkins County residents who have tested COVID-19 positive since March, and 0.16 percent of the overall population. The latter is the higher than the other eight counties immediately surrounding Hopkins County.
One additional COVID-19 fatality each was also confirmed for Rains County and Titus County, and two each for Wood and Hunt counties. That makes 10 fatalities for Rains County, 42 for Titus County, 56 for Wood County and 67 fatalities for Hunt County.
Red River County’s fatality rate among COVID-19 positive residents continues to be the highest at 7.2 percent among the 9 county area; 18 of the 250 Red River County residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 since March have died from the virus.
Hunt County has had 2,961 residents test positive for COVID-19 since March, the most in the 9-county region, including 67 residents who died from COVID-19.
In Titus County, 42 of the 1,890 residents who have tested positive have died. Titus County’s 2.22 percent fatality rate among infected is lower than even Delta County’s 3.03 percent, even though the county has had only 2 COVID-19 deaths. Delta County has the smallest overall population, estimated at 5,331 in 2019, has had the fewest number of positive cases, 66, and fewest number of fatalities.
Lady Cats Soccer Opens Scrimmage Season Thursday, Wildcats Follow on Saturday, Both at The Prim
The Lady Cats Soccer Team opens the scrimmage portion of their season Thursday evening (December 10) against Royse City at Gerald Prim Stadium. Plans call for a JV scrimmage at 5:30 p.m. with a varsity scrimmage to follow at around 7:15 p.m. This is the first scrimmage of six planned for the Lady Cats this season. For the past several seasons, Royse City has been a top of the district type team. When the pandemic intervened last March, the Lady Cats had compiled a 6-3 district record and they were 10-9-1 for the season. They were scheduled to have one final district contest when the virus interrupted play. That game the Lady Cats lost was against Royse City on the road. Javier Aguayo is beginning his second season as Lady Cats Head Soccer Coach.
The Wildcats Soccer Team, under third year Head Coach Alexi Upton, will open their scrimmage schedule playing matches against three teams Saturday at Gerald Prim Stadium. The Wildcats have invited North Lamar, Sabine and Mineola. The Wildcats scrimmage the Panthers at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sabine at 11 a.m. and Mineola at 2 p.m. All scrimmage action will consist of two 25 minute halves.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Sulphur Springs Among 28 Sites Selected To Host The Wall That Heals In 2021
Sulphur Springs has been named as one of 28 sites across the country selected to host the Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall and Mobile Education Center, in 2021.
County Judge Robert Newsom at noon Thursday issued a proclamation announcing the honor and encouraging citizens to join the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in continuing to pay tribute to Vietnam veterans and their families by honoring the legacy of service and sacrifice.
Members of Hopkins County Marine Corps League and Hopkins County Military Coalition were on hand to for the reading of the proclamation, which was presented to Hopkins County Veterans Memorial Committee Treasurer/Freedom Ball Committee Co-Chair Mandy Kennedy on the courthouse steps at noon Thursday.
“It’s an event that’s going to bring people to Northeast Texas, to Hopkins County to see the beautiful city and county we live in and also it’s going to honor America,” Newsom said, and expressed thanks to the many people such as Kennedy and Freedom Ball Co-Chair Danny Davis whose efforts made it possible to bring The Wall That Heals to Sulphur Springs.
““Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America,” Jim Knotts, president and CEO of Vietnma Veterans Memorial Fund, was quoted in a press release.
Host Selection
Kennedy expressed excitement at not only the only location in Texas selected to host The Wall That Heals, but to be able to do so the weekend before Veterans Day.
“It’s really unbelievable that we were selected on our first attempt – and that we were given our first choice of dates, November 4-7, 2021, right before Veteran’s Day,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy explained that to be eligible to apply, the applicants had to visit another location to see the wall and all that is involved in hosting it. They began information gathering in the fall of 2019. Applications were online and could only be submitted between a small window of time on one day. Applicants had to provide four different potential dates to host The Wall That Heals.
The Veterans Memorial Committee is partnering with Sulphur Springs ISD and the City of Sulphur Springs to host The Wall that Heals, as a means to “recognize our Veterans of the Vietnam War and offer our community’s grateful appreciation for their service during a difficult time in our nation’s history.”
“How fitting that we have this opportunity so many years later to commemorate the sacrifices they made by hosting this beautiful exhibit in their honor,” Kennedy said.
She credits those partnerships and community support as factors that likely put HCVM’s application to host The Wall That Heals ahead of others.
The cost to host the wall is $10,000, with additional funds going toward other costs associated with hosting it. Typically, the annual Freedom Ball raises funds which would be utilized for purposes to benefit and honor local veterans. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to postpone the Freedom Ball until 2021, as a precaution for the health and safety of the veterans and community members who would attend. The next Freedom Ball will be held on Armed Forces Day in 2021, with both years celebrated, but that means there’s funding available for such a project would be much smaller this year.
Kennedy said HCVM Committee is confident that the community would have come through with the funds needed to host this show of appreciation for Vietnam veterans. However, that was not necessary thanks to the substantial donation Carol Gunn Vernon made in honor of loved ones.
The Wall That Heals will arrived at Sulphur Springs High School Track Tuesday night, Nov. 2 in a 53-foot trailer, that opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center “telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history.”
Community volunteers will set the Wall up, with a ceremony scheduled afterward. The exhibit will then be staffed 24-hours a day Nov. 4-7, 2021, for all who wish to visit the Vietnam memorial wall to remember and pay respect for those who served during the war. School and other groups will be welcome. Entry to the wall if free to the public “in honor of the more than 3 million Americans who served in the US Armed Forces in the Vietnam War.”
The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals is a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers onsite, educate visitors to ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall That Heals, Newsom noted in the proclamation.
The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors will be able to do name rubbings of individual names from among those of the 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and are listed on The Wall.
The mobile Education Center exhibit includes:
- Digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” – service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit;
- Digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service;
- Video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall;
- Educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.;
- A replica of the In Memory plaque;
- A map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.
The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.
The 2021 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country.
Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in nearly 700 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005.
Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at: https://www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals/
