The Vietnam Veterans Organization of Carbon County conducted the ceremony Friday night at The Moving Wall in Palmerton.

Harry J. Wynn III, the senior vice commander of the organization, told the crowd about his own experience during the Vietnam War. He was in the U.S. Navy.In the beginning of his service, Wynn was stationed along the coast of Vietnam. In later fleets, he was off the Mediterranean and Guanténamo Bay. Wynn said there were really two wars going on at that time - the Vietnam War and the Cold War."I got to see both," he said.Wynn explained that while the land-based troops were in battle, some of the Navy's work was in reconnaissance."We followed Russian ships around," he said.The ceremony was also reflective of the ultimate sacrifice given by the people listed on the wall. Wynn read the names and rank of the 18 men who originated from Carbon County. He said he knew five of them. Some were friends or family, others were acquaintances.Airman 2nd Class George M. Bevich Jr. was his cousin. Wynn didn't know Pfc. John R. Earley, but he knew his mother. Col. Anthony Giannangeli's family lived one block from Wynn. He had been among the list of prisoners of war/missing in action. Pfc. Michael P. Pavlocak Jr. used to play baseball with him when they were kids. And Maj. William C. Whitehead Jr. was a graduate of West Point and went to Wynn's high school.But whether a person was a private or a major, volunteer or drafted, served on land, sea or air, "we all served with honor and distinction," he said.The veterans attending the ceremony were asked to stand when the flag of their branch of the military was presented."Every person has a story to tell. Ask him," Wynn said. "I think after 50 years, they're ready to tell it."Vietnam Veteran Stephen Carazo of Riverside, California, came home to Palmerton specifically to see The Moving Wall with his two older brothers. All of them served in the war."I think it is great that there is some recognition now," he said. "The lack of recognition we got this nation to change and really recognize guys like Sgt. Combs. That is what is greater."Sgt. 1st Class Justin Combs, of the Hazleton Recruiting Center, is currently serving in the Army and attended the ceremony with Sgt. Jonathan Ely."This is the reason why the wall is important," Carazo said. "They deserve the recognition."Combs said he and Ely came to the ceremony to pay their respects to the Vietnam War veterans who died and to those who came home."Some gave the ultimate sacrifice. I'm inspired by this," he said. "It motivates me to be better than I am today."Ely, who only just arrived to the area on Friday, said he has seen the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., but was glad to see The Moving Wall, as well."I think this is a good thing for the people who can't get out to see the actual wall," he said. "This gives them an understanding of what it really means."