Anacapa Helps Assemble ‘The Moving Wall’ Vietnam Memorial

KEYT interview with Anacapa senior Douglas Throop
Facebook photo album

Since “The Moving Wall” first came to Santa Barbara in 1985, Anacapa students have visited it every time it has been to Santa Barbara to hear from local Vietnam vets and see the outstanding replica of the powerful Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. This time we had the unique opportunity to help assemble the Wall, polish it, and put up 12 flags representing the 12 nations who were allied in the war. Two seniors, Alex Carlson and Colin Lancashire, used their technology skills to help set up the computer system that is available to help visitors locate loved ones whose names are on the Wall. After their work was done, students enjoyed a free hot dog lunch provided by Surf Dog of Carpinteria. Just before we left to return to campus, Adelina Alva-Padilla, a local Chumash shaman, arrived to bless the Wall, and then she offered to bless our students and teachers with a traditional Chumash ceremonial blessing. After returning to campus, Gordon Sichi asked the assembled students, “What did you learn in school today?” Many excellent responses were offered. Henry Johnston’s was very powerful: “We were able to connect with the thousands of deceased Vietnam veterans.” The field trip to “The Moving Wall” was a good example of how “experiential” education at Anacapa works. When there is an opportunity to learn experientially in the real world, Anacapa is going to take it!