Local politicians, Fall River Police and Fire announce events to benefit Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall

The Vietnam Veteran’s Wall Committee, it’s President Joseph Marshall, Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch, Fall River Fire Union President Jason Burns, Fall River Police Chief Al Dupere, Fall River Police Union President Mike McConnell and State Representative Carole Fiola announce a series of events that will benefit the planned 80% scale Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall that will be built in Bicentennial Park, in Fall River.

“Tip the Helmet” for the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall will include a series of days where members of the Fall River Fire Department will be stationed throughout the city of Fall River to collect donations from the community. All precincts will be participating on Friday, May 24th and Friday, June 14th from 1pm to 3pm and from 4pm to 6pm. They will be accompanied by various members of the Vietnam Veteran’s Wall Committee and Young Marines. Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch, Fall River Fire Union President Jason Burns, and District Chief Jeff Bacon will be leading the effort.

Fall River Police Chief Al Dupere and President of the Fall River Police Union Michael McConnell, have announced their “Tip the Helmet” event will take place on August 4th from 1pm-4pm at St James Irish Pub located at 91 Purchase St Fall River with proceeds going to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall project. Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall Committee President, Joseph Marshall, stated “This outstanding collaboration between the fire and police departments is very moving. This wall will be built due to the outpouring of support from individuals, the business community, state and local officials, and these public safety organizations. I am so proud to work with these volunteers, especially State Representative Carole Fiola who came up with this idea and has been moving this project forward. I would also like to thank Bill Desmarais because without his vision we would not be here today. I would also like to take the time to thank the city of Fall River for their support”.

Fall River Fire Chief John Lynch stated that “We believe this project is one that will have a huge impact on the region and the many veterans and their families who will find comfort in visiting the memorial. Our members were eager to support this effort”.

Fall River Police Chief Al Dupere stated that “Many of our officers are veterans and we felt that we needed to be a part of such a significant addition to the memorials in our region”, Representative Fiola stated “As a proud member of the community I remember the fire department fundraising for their muscular dystrophy event, “Fill the Boot” campaign. When approached, our public safety officials responded as they always do to every call to action. The Fire and Police Departments were quick to support our veterans”.

This permanent 80% scale of Washington DC’s Vietnam Memorial Wall with all 58,282 names will be built on Fall River’s waterfront. Proprietary rights, granted by the national or encompass all of Massachusetts as well as a 50-mile radius from Fall River. There are only three other permanent replicas throughout the country.