The Tama American Legion held a small banquet Monday night with food and cookies generously prepared by volunteers to help thank everyone involved with The Wall That Heals exhibit. Photo by Vanessa Roudabush.

On Monday, Sept. 12, the Tama American Legion held a banquet to thank the 400+ volunteers for helping with The Wall That Heals, where an estimated 16,900 visitors attended the exhibit this past August.

An unprepared yet heartfelt speech was given by Randy Zimmermann.

“We just wanted to have a time we could have a thank you [and] express our gratitude for everything everyone has done to bring The Wall to Tama. It was a great experience for everyone involved,” he said.

Zimmermann recounted a comment from a Washington D.C. representative of The Wall, “the volunteers get more out of it than the visitors.”

The following donors were also thanked for the funding they generously donated that helped bring this exhibit to Tama County: Shomo-Madsen Insurance, Tri State Lock, Rumor’s Sports Bar & Grill, Hogeland Auto Plaza, State Farm Insurance Jeff Linton, Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard, The Flying Elbow, Hy-Vee Marshalltown, Hy-Vee Fresh Tama, Meskwaki Print Shop, Elite Sports, Hardee’s Toledo, Arby’s Marshalltown, Fareway Marshalltown, Minuteman Inc. Marshalltown, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 46 Marshalltown, Culver’s Marshalltown, Marten Brothers, Don Paustian, Pat & Kathy Petit, Elliot Hartman, Gatr Truck Center, Deimco, Iowa Premium, Hiniker, Truck Center, State Bank of Toledo, Top Line, Hardons, Hrabaks, Pinnacle Bank, Duff Coleman, Mi Ranchito Mexican Grill, Killduff Supply, Ann’s Alterations, Family of Steven Clair, Tidy Turf, Sam Berman & Sons, Denise Bacon/BLT Produce, American Legion Post 46, Freedom Rock, Pepsi, Garwin Lions Club, Meskwaki Bingo & Casino, Dysart American Legion Post 335, VFW Auxiliary Post 839, Tama American Legion Post 73 and Sons of American Legion Post 73.

The remainder of the proceeds will be distributed by the Tama Legion to relief programs for Tama County Veterans and Meskwaki Veterans, along with funding to Meskwaki School District and Marshalltown Combined Honor Guard. The remaining balance will be given to Stand Down, a veterans relief organization in Des Moines that provides clothing, haircuts, and other basic needs for Iowa Veterans.

Zimmermann ended his small speech with a final thank you.

“Thanks to everyone that volunteered. Your help was unbelievable that we could have that kind of community support,” he said. “[This] was an amazing experience, and we’ve developed friendships that’ll last the rest of our lives.”