Bud Scheller & Tracey Martiney with Wyoming Welcomes The Wall That Heals stepped into the SVI Radio studio on Monday, May 18 to discuss the need for volunteers and donations. The Wall That Heals is 3/4 size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and will be on the football field at Star Valley Middle School July 9-12.

(0:00) Heading into the first guest interview segment (0:03) of this eight o’clock hour this morning (0:04) and the wall that heals less than two months away (0:08) and that’s coming of course in July to Afton (0:11) at Star Valley Middle School (0:12) and Wyoming welcomes the wall committee. (0:15) Two members in studio today for a report (0:17) that includes Tracy Martini who oversees volunteers, (0:20) Bud Scheller who oversees fundraising as well. (0:23) Good morning you guys, countdown’s on.

(0:25) You feeling ready or feeling the pressure a little bit here? (0:27) A little bit of both. (0:29) Yeah, a little bit of both. (0:30) Good morning.

(0:30) I can imagine. (0:31) I encourage our listeners to go to (0:33) the wall that heals Afton WI 2026. (0:36) The wall that heals Afton WI 2026.com (0:39) and that’s where we can find information on this (0:42) but Tracy let’s start with you and remind us again.

(0:45) I just, before we get into some of these aspects, (0:48) tell us about the wall because if people are expecting (0:51) to see this little tiny exhibit, that is not what this is. (0:56) It is not. (0:57) It should consume most of the football field (0:59) at Star Valley Middle School.

(1:01) It’s 375 feet in length and it is impressive (1:05) with the 58,000 plus members that have died (1:10) or killed in action serving in Vietnam. (1:14) So it’s a way to recognize those members and families (1:19) that made the ultimate sacrifice (1:21) and so it’ll be held at the Star Valley Middle School (1:24) from 2 p.m. on the 8th of July (1:27) through 2 p.m. on the 12th of July. (1:30) Perfect, so that’s when it’s going to be (1:32) at Star Valley Middle School (1:33) and Tracy, in order to make this happen, (1:36) it takes not just a little committee of people, (1:39) it takes a whole community to pull this thing together (1:42) and so you’re looking for some more volunteers (1:46) to come help, correct? (1:47) Yep, this event takes more than 300 volunteers (1:51) to make it happen.

(1:52) From those that set up, we need about 30 to 40 volunteers (1:56) to help put that together and then take it down. (2:00) And then we have four hour slots (2:02) that start from 2 p.m. on that 8th (2:05) going through the close of it (2:06) and we have roles that you can be at the wall (2:09) helping find names, wall rubbings, (2:11) help with education center, (2:13) which you help give information (2:16) in regards to the Vietnam War (2:18) and the era that’s associated with that (2:20) and then a welcome center. (2:21) But then there’s also things like supporting parking, (2:24) supporting photography, (2:25) supporting the ceremonies and things like that.

(2:28) So there is lots of need for those in the community to serve (2:33) and provide your hearts and hands (2:37) to be there for those veterans that come in. (2:39) Absolutely, and it’s gonna be an incredible experience (2:42) for those that attend. (2:43) I can assume it’s going to be (2:45) an even more meaningful experience (2:47) for those that volunteer.

(2:48) Maybe touch on why someone should consider volunteering. (2:50) Well, one thing is to give back to the community. (2:53) When you serve, you are actually filled up (2:56) and you can see what those sacrifices meant (3:00) and you can honor that for those family members (3:04) and the names and recognize those names (3:06) and be like, hey, I can give the four hours (3:08) when they ultimately sacrificed (3:10) for a lifetime of memories.

(3:12) So it is very important. (3:14) You will fill your heart (3:15) and you will feel valued giving back. (3:18) And you’re looking for all kinds of volunteers.

(3:20) I know that there’s some school groups (3:22) that are volunteering, some other youth groups (3:24) and some things like, (3:25) so you’re looking for individuals (3:26) and really anybody, right? (3:28) Anybody that would love to serve. (3:30) So yep, if you are under the age of 18, (3:33) we do ask that a parent or guardian be with you (3:37) at that timeframe. (3:38) But yeah, you can come as a group (3:39) or you can come individually.

(3:40) We need those that would love to serve overnight. (3:43) That’s when we’re gonna have our greatest, (3:46) probably the veteran population (3:48) that need that moment (3:49) and a little bit more empathy on that timeframe. (3:51) But we would love anybody that’ll come around.

(3:54) So yeah. (3:55) Now, what can someone expect if they volunteer? (3:57) I assume there’s gonna be a little training (3:58) and some help and assistance. (3:59) You’re not just gonna say, (4:00) hey, go take care of this, right? (4:01) Yes, yeah, I should say that.

(4:03) Do not be worried or anxious about serving (4:06) because all we need is your heart to serve. (4:10) And they will provide you with a training (4:12) and that comes from the VVMF (4:14) or the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. (4:16) Their staff will actually give you a one-hour training (4:20) and give you all the resources and the words that you need.

(4:22) They have the questions most asked (4:24) and they’ll give you the answers to go with it. (4:27) That will be the 8th of July at 6 p.m., (4:31) but a one-hour program for you. (4:32) So you should feel comfortable (4:34) in being able to do what they ask of you.

(4:37) Tracy Martini, the Volunteers Coordinator for Wyoming (4:40) welcomes the wall coming in July. (4:42) So if someone wants to get involved, (4:43) Tracy, how do they reach out to you? (4:45) They can give me a phone call at 907-854-6825 (4:49) and then they can go to the website (4:51) that we would just discuss, (4:53) the wall that heals, aftonwy2026.com (4:57) and then find the volunteer section (5:00) and from there you’ll be able to reach us. (5:03) And also if you have email, (5:05) it’s wywelcomestwth.volunteersatyahoo.com. (5:10) Perfect.

(5:11) Also in studio this morning is Bud Scheller. (5:13) Bud oversees fundraising for Wyoming Welcomes the Wall. (5:17) Bud, good morning.

(5:18) Tell us how things have been going so far (5:19) with fundraising needs for this event. (5:22) Actually, it’s going quite well. (5:24) We’re what, about two months out.

(5:27) We’ve been really pushing this hard for two months (5:29) and I would estimate we’re probably 60 to 70% (5:33) to where we want to be. (5:35) But we’ve taken on another dimension with this program (5:38) and it’s going to probably increase (5:41) our financial support requirements significantly. (5:44) And what I’m referring to there is (5:46) we’ve been to several veterans, (5:49) Vietnam veterans gatherings.

(5:52) One over at Dan Starks Museum in Dubois (5:55) and it struck us there that there were a number of veterans (5:59) at that event that had to have transportation (6:01) to get to the event. (6:04) And on the way home we got discussing, (6:06) said, you know, wouldn’t it be great (6:07) if we could reach out across the state, (6:11) several key locations, line up transportation (6:14) and bring the vets to us, bring them here. (6:17) They can’t get here.

(6:18) Some of these folks are in wheelchairs, (6:20) they’ve got service dogs, they’re hurting. (6:23) So that’s an added expense. (6:24) We’re gonna try real hard to raise the money to do that.

(6:27) Yeah, that’s fantastic. (6:29) And so when you donate to this cause, (6:32) it’s not going just for the wall, (6:33) it’s really helping veterans all across (6:35) the state of Wyoming come see this thing. (6:38) It really is.

(6:39) It’s, I mean, primarily for the wall, (6:41) but we’ve decided to bite off another chunk (6:43) and see if we can’t get those folks that, (6:45) they’re still hurting. (6:47) You will be surprised the number of people (6:48) we’ve met in the last two months (6:51) that are still suffering and they need to come. (6:54) This is gonna be a healing event for them (6:56) and we’re anxious to do it.

(6:57) Now I know you’ve, of course, reached out locally, (6:59) but it sounds like your fundraising efforts (7:01) have gone quite around the state of Wyoming as well, right? (7:04) My word, yes, yes, sir, they sure have. (7:07) I’m headed out tomorrow to go down (7:10) to Rock Springs, Green River, Evanston area. (7:13) We have contacts in Buffalo.

(7:15) We’re heading over in Buffalo. (7:18) I think Jay and I are gonna go (7:19) about the middle of early in June. (7:23) We’ve been as far as Soda Springs.

(7:25) We’ve been up to Idaho Falls, (7:28) been Lander, Dubois area. (7:30) We’re reaching out far and wide. (7:34) So if someone listening to this wants to donate, (7:37) I mean, especially now considering (7:39) you’re trying to transport veterans here, (7:41) I’m thinking even if someone has 20 bucks, (7:43) that helps cover a little bit of gas (7:45) for that type of thing, right? (7:46) It absolutely does.

(7:48) You know, people have asked me at different events (7:50) I’ve spoke at, well, how much do we have to donate? (7:52) I said there’s no such thing as too little, (7:55) no such thing, certainly no such thing as too much. (7:58) We had a gentleman put $2 in a kitty at one of our events (8:01) and I just, that $2 probably meant more to him (8:04) than 200 does to you or me. (8:06) And so every dime helps us.

(8:10) So how does someone make a donation? (8:11) What’s the best way? (8:12) Well, there’s a couple ways. (8:14) They can get ahold of me at 307-690-4475 (8:19) or email budscheller at gmail.com (8:23) or the links that Tracy has just mentioned, (8:26) the website, and that’ll lead you right to it, (8:30) fighter pilot sample. (8:31) Perfect, perfect.

(8:32) Now, you mentioned some events that you’ve gone to. (8:34) Do you have any events around Lincoln County (8:36) that you’ll be attending that people can donate at? (8:39) Yeah, we sure do. (8:40) We’ve got, what is it, Friday Night Lights? (8:43) We’ll be at just about every Friday (8:46) once they get kicked off.

(8:48) We’re gonna be setting up in front of Roland’s, (8:52) the three stores in the valley. (8:54) We’ll be having a table there and we’ll be very obvious. (8:58) Can I think of anything else? (9:00) We’ll have a presence at Mountain Days in Alpine (9:04) and then also the 4th of July celebrations (9:06) throughout the valley and things like that.

(9:08) Perfect. (9:09) We’ll be easily identifiable with the logo and- (9:13) A very big sign. (9:14) Okay, so it’ll be easy for people to donate then (9:16) at those locations as well.

(9:17) Very easy, very easy. (9:18) Perfect. (9:19) Or sign up to volunteer.

(9:20) Absolutely, absolutely, yes. (9:23) Tracy Martini in studio and Bud Scheller as well. (9:26) And Wyoming Welcomes the Wall.

(9:27) This upcoming July at Star Valley Middle School, (9:30) July 9th through the 12th, (9:31) visit The Wall that Heals Afton, wi2026.com. (9:35) Thank you so much for the efforts that you two (9:37) and the whole committee are putting into this (9:39) to make this thing happen. (9:40) Anything we missed that you’d like to mention today? (9:42) Well, I wanna say thank you (9:43) and I wanna say thank you to the community (9:45) for the consideration. (9:47) We are looking to fill those 300 slots.

(9:49) We need about 75% commitment. (9:51) We’re at 25 right now, (9:52) so I need that just about a week after Memorial Day. (9:56) So if it lays on your heart, come and sign up (9:58) and we’d love to have you there.

(9:59) Thank you. (10:00) And I personally would like to thank (10:02) the three major towns in the valley (10:05) that we’ve been to so far. (10:07) They’ve given us tremendous support (10:09) and we’re just looking forward to more.

(10:11) So give till it hurts and then give some more. (10:13) Fantastic. (10:14) Bud Scheller and Tracy Martini, Wyoming Welcomes the Wall (10:17) that Heals, July 9th through 12th (10:19) at Star Valley Middle School, (10:20) visit TheWallThatHealsAftonWY2026.com. (10:24) It’s The Weekday Wake Up on SVI Radio.