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Wednesday September 24, 2025 | Volume 150, Issue 39

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Wall That Heals stirs emotions in Independence By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

Benny Williams was there in Washington, D.C., not long after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was opened 43 years ago. He traveled from Salem Sept. 18 to bring his great-grandson Benjamin George to see the replica Wall That Heals when it made a five-day stop in Independence last week. Williams said it was especially important to bring Benjamin during tumultuous times, here and abroad. “I was telling Benjamin, I wanted him to be able to see this wall. Literally, for more grandchildren, and now my great grandchild, to understand the contrast that is in place today, understanding how this country has been able to be the beacon of the world because we’ve had people step forward to preserve peace and rights here in the United States,” Williams said. He took the opportunity to get an etching of the name of his nephew on his wife’s side of the family who was killed in 1967. “We found his name, got it traced on paper, and will be able to let my wife, who was unable to join today, to have for her records,” Williams said. “Many of the names on this wall are African Americans. We enlisted and served at a greater ratio of our population than the rest of society.”

PHOTOS BY DAVID HAYES

Cathy Miller and Adam Arbogast of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund organization, give training to the local volunteers who will be interacting with visitors to the Wall That Heals during its stay in Independence. According to official records, more than 300,000 Black Americans served in the Vietnam War, and while they were about 12% of the U.S. population, they made up a larger percentage of the military, particularly among enlisted men. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated in 1981, paying tribute to the 58,281 service members killed in the war, including 1,581 who remain missing. Built by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization created a three-quarter scaled replica in 1996

to tour around the United States for those who could not get to Washington, D.C. Since, the Wall That Heals has traveled to nearly 800 communities. The replica wall, designed in a chevron shape, is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. The names on The Wall That Heals are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand

side) and working their way back in to the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center. The wall travels with a 53-foot mobile Education Center, that features donated items from the Vietnam War and a Hometown Heroes screen that highlights the service members from the community the wall is visiting. Polk County had seven service members killed in the war (see sidebar). The Wall That Heals and Mobile Education Center were met in

Salem and led rumbling into Independence by veteran motorcyclists on Sept. 16. Organizers were amazed by the turnout of volunteers to help set up the display - 40 regional managers from Les Schwab centers around the state helped set it up in near record time. Independence Mayor Kate Schwarzler welcomed 369 attendees to the opening ceremony Sept. 18.

See HEALS, page A2

Forge Fest debuts blacksmithing Debut novel competition and showcase

birthed in 30-day writing challenge

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

On Sept. 20, a large barn on a Rickreall farm was cleared of all its horses to make way for blacksmithing forges. A new fundraising competition had moved in - Forge Fest. It was the brainchild of Josh Navarrete, who has parlayed his success on the cable TV show Forged in Fire to expand his growing niche empire helping veterans with PTSD. Navarrete first started blacksmithing in a small workshop in his backyard. A case coordinator for Marion County with a background in supportive employment, Navarrete has been helping people with disabilities and disadvantages to find jobs since 1999. Navarrette continued working with those in need, including veterans. The idea came to him to offer knife making as an outlet, a simple treatment for their PTSD. Thus, Artistic and Creative Therapy (ACT) was born, a free, one-day class where he guides them to crafting their own knife. Navarrete said for many vets, there was really nowhere to go, to blow off steam and unplug. The therapy program has since grown to non-profit status and renamed IACT, Industrial Artistic and Creative Therapy. Navarrete figures he helped nearly 80 veterans last year. For the last eight years Navarrete had been wanting to produce a big showcase for both IACT and a fundraiser to help expand the program.

IN THIS ISSUE

By DAVID HAYES I-O Editor

PHOTOS COURTESY GREGORY DEAN PHOTOGRAPHY / GD STUDIOWORKS

Marine blacksmith Wes Hall (right) goes up against Air Force veteran Tyler Haase during Forge Fest Feb. 20 at Acres of Hope. Hall’s forged barbecue steak turning tool was declared the winner in the veteran’s competition. Thus was born the idea for Forge Fest. “We have never had a forging event, or something related to blacksmithing, in this area. Maybe we had, but I don’t know of it,” Navarrete said. The main goal was to bring the community together. The other was expanding IACT to involve at risk youths being mentored in blacksmithing by vets.

“Our vets are one of the most underutilized resources we have,” he said. “What’s better than to train them, provide them with resources to become mentors for kids, who many of them lack the father figure and were not so lucky to have a dad like me. And also, help them learn transferable skills.” Navarrete needed a venue big enough to support several forges safely operating all at once.

After discarding several other venues, Navarrete approached Justin Arana, Co-founder of Acres of Hope in Rickreall, which he’d heard may have a barn big enough for Forge Fest. “So, I came to him and said, ‘Hey Justin, I have an idea for an event…” Navarrete recalled.

See FORGE, page A2

After teaching English for middle schoolers at Abiqua School in Salem for 12 years, Olivia Sykora retired to have kids. Sykora jokes she became “one of those English teachers” who sought to become a published author. Around 2019, she participated in the National Writing Month Challenge (NaNoWriMo) where authors write a 50,000 word novel draft in 30 days. A procrastinator by nature, Sykora said the NaNoWriMo challenge forced her to tap into the mathematical side of her brain to map out the writing process to finish her rough draft within the 30 day timeline. “I really loved it. It was temporary, so I didn’t have to kill myself for more than a month, especially with kids,” She took the challenge four times during her retirement. One of those transcripts turned out to be the See NOVEL, page A2

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