La Pine Band of Brothers seek to honor Vietnam veterans

A group in La Pine is working to honor veterans by bringing The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to the community, and could use your help to make it happen.

The memorial wall, a 3/5th size replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C., lists the names of those who fought and died in the Vietnam War, and travels around the country.

The La Pine Band of Brothers wants to bring it to La Pine, but needs to raise money to do so.

La Pine Band of Brothers President Bob Seidenberg, who is a Vietnam War veteran, said Tuesday the group is in the process of applying to bring the memorial to La Pine.

They want to raise $20,000 to do it, and have already raised half that amount from the community.

Seidenberg said he’s grateful for the support, and wants to be able to honor those that fought in the Vietnam War.

“We didn’t get the recognition that the current veterans are getting when they come home,” Seidenberg said. “When I came home, my brother made me change my clothes and put on civilian clothes before he would take me home, because he didn’t want me in the uniform.

“And that’s the way the Vietnam vets were treated, and it’s about time that we got the recognition for what we’ve done, and for the lives that were lost.”

Seidenberg went on to say it’d also be a great attraction for the community.

The Band of Brothers estimates around 10,000 people would come to see this wall, boosting the local economy.

Seidenberg said the application opens on Memorial Day, and selections are made in November.

If La Pine is awarded the memorial, Seidenberg said they also will need volunteers to help make it happen.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to the cause, you can reach out to Michele Hoffman at Thehoffmans@yahoo.com.