Jerry Mollohan
THE MOVING WALL JUNE 2026 - Marines
"In every battle, there comes a time when both sides consider themselves beaten. Then he who continues the attack wins.”
Ulysses S. Grant wasn’t talking about monuments or community events when he said that — but his words fit what we’re doing here with The Moving Wall.
Because bringing The Moving Wall to St. Albans isn’t just another project, it’s a commitment to honor more than 58,000 names. It’s a promise to families who will walk this site in search of someone they loved. It’s a responsibility to create a place of dignity, healing, and remembrance.
And like every meaningful mission, there will be a moment — maybe during setup, maybe at 2 a.m. during the overnight watch, maybe when the weather turns — when the work feels heavy. When we’re tired. When we wonder how we’re going to get through the next hour.
That moment is exactly what Grant was talking about.
Because the people who make history in their communities aren’t the ones who never get tired, they’re the ones who keep going anyway. They’re the ones who understand that service isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
Every panel we carry, every name we help someone find, every shift we cover, every quiet moment we protect — it all matters. It all adds up to something bigger than any one of us.
You’re not just volunteers. You’re guardians of this memorial while it’s here. You’re the reason families will have a place to grieve, to remember, and to heal.
So when we hit that tough moment — and we will — remember why we’re here. Remember the names on that Wall. And remember that continuing the effort, even when it’s hard, is how we honor them.
Thank you for stepping up. Thank you for serving. And thank you for helping bring this sacred tribute to life for our community.
