Scott Shumway, chair of the Education Committee for The Wall That Heals, joined the Weekday Wake-up to help promote the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica that will come to Afton, July 9–12.

Shumway said the Education Committee’s mission is to ensure the community not only sees the memorial, but also has the opportunity to learn from it in meaningful ways, especially through schools, churches, and youth groups.

“Our job is to spread the word, spread the word to the schools,” Shumway said. “We’ve reached out to the churches in the community organizations…”

Shumway pointed to the Vietnam War Memorial’s widespread impact in Washington, D.C., citing its popularity as a destination for visitors who seek remembrance and understanding. He said bringing a replica to Star Valley offers a powerful opportunity to revisit the sacrifices behind freedom and to help residents reflect on the cost of war.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for everyone in the community to refocus on the sacrifices… and appreciate more of the blessings of freedom we enjoy every day resulting from those sacrifices,” he said.

Shumway said his committee is actively preparing for the event by working with educators and schools. He noted that April is a key time, since state exams have typically concluded and teachers may be looking for resources.

“We have a sample curriculum we’re sending out to all the schools in this area and the surrounding area,” he said.

He also mentioned outreach to BYU–Idaho, saying the committee has contacted the institution and may coordinate a bus opportunity for instruction and student involvement during the memorial’s visit.

One of the Education Committee’s biggest highlights is the presence of a Mobile Education Center at the memorial site. Shumway said that the feature will allow visitors to learn through interactive exhibits and guided storytelling, offering context that many visitors may not get when they see the memorial only in Washington, D.C.

Shumway described an exhibit item from the national memorial’s history: a small package, wrapped and left as a remembrance. He explained how a mother packaged a keepsake to send her son as a reminder of home, and how—after the son was killed—the package was returned and later left at the wall by her family as a symbol of love, loss, and memory.

“You’ll be able to see that package here at the Mobile Education Center,” Shumway said, calling it an example of the personal stories that visitors can connect with during the visit.

Shumway encouraged residents of all ages to attend, stressing that the event is accessible and designed to be experienced in real time.

“It’s right here, and it’s free,” he said. “Maybe 45 minutes to an hour of your time you can experience this same deep reverential feeling…”

He also noted that while younger children may not fully understand everything in the moment, the experience can become meaningful as they grow older and reflect on the visit later in life.

The Wall That Heals is set for July 9–12 at Star Valley Middle School. Shumway urged community members to mark the dates, plan for school participation and encourage churches and organizations to participate in the educational opportunity.

Details are available at TheWallThatHealsAftonWY2026.com.