I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude to the hundreds of community members, elected officials, Scouts and businesses, including the Thousand Oaks Acorn , that joined us in bringing the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience to Westlake Village over Labor Day weekend.

Words cannot describe the emotions evoked by a hand reaching out to gently touch the name of a fallen friend, brother or sister; by the personal remembrances left for a lost loved one at the foot of the Wall; by a lone individual standing in silent vigil; or by a lasting, healing embrace, one veteran to another.

More than 500 individuals–– many from Thousand Oaks––and 50 businesses dedicated hundreds of hours of time and donated products and services to make the event memorable and inspiring.

This extraordinary backing allowed us to support, educate, thank or welcome home nearly 80,000 families and veterans who visited from around noon Wednesday when the Wall arrived, for 24 hours a day until well after the closing event on Monday, which was Labor Day.

I’m extremely proud to be part of such a giving and thoughtful community. Tammy Eacker Westlake Village

Eacker is general manager of Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, Mortuary and Crematory.