High winds topple traveling Vietnam Wall in De Soto

This happened late Saturday night while we were in De Soto, Missouri & was part of the same storm system that spawned off all of the tornadoes killing so many in several states. Fourteen people died in Missouri during the storms.
I tend to agree with the last statement by Bill White Jr. & think that the many that still came out agreed as well "I realize there's more names and more wall. But the purpose of being here... this is still signifying it. And I still think it's good."

High winds topple traveling Vietnam Wall in De Soto
KSDK
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Strong winds caused problems in De Soto, Mo., toppling the traveling Vietnam Wall early Sunday morning.
Crews with the American Veterans Traveling Tribute have been touring the country since 1997 and they say this is the first time wind has ever knocked down the wall.
"It's such a special event and to have mother nature intervene like she did, it makes it a little more frustrating," said Steve Weinheld, who was visiting the wall.
According to KSDK News, the gusts were so strong, they knocked half the wall over onto the ground. And though the traveling wall is made of aluminum and steel, the wind bent several of the flat sections into curved arches.
"It was a big deal because we had people coming here this morning to see the wall," Todd Mahn said. He's one of the wall organizers. "We certainly didn't want anyone that had a relative to see these sections of wall laid over."
So crews worked quickly to repair the damage, hammering the metal flat and trying to straighten the frames. Meanwhile, volunteers helped load most of the wall, back in the truck that transported it.
Organizers call it a minor disappointment. "Like i've told several people, these soldiers fought in much harder weather and circumstances than what we've had to deal with here. So we'll make it happen," Mahn said.
And so they moved everything inside: All the exhibits, and part of the wall.
Sandra Null, the mother of a veteran, says, "I feel bad for the people that can't find the boys' names."
But for some, this small display was enough. Bill White Jr. was in that group. He says, "I realize there's more names and more wall. But the purpose of being here... this is still signifying it. And I still think it's good."

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