In response to John Bean’s letter (Jan. 27) against bringing the Vietnam Wall to Lewiston, I want to say that sometimes the only way to heal old wounds is to reopen them.

Anyone who has placed his or her hand on the wall, (in Washington, D.C., or the dignity replica) will agree with me that it’s like reaching across time and space, touching the very souls of the men and women who died in Vietnam.

Because of the unpopularity of that war, men and women returned from serving their country to the jeers of war protesters. The wall is a way to show them the honor, dignity and gratitude they richly deserve.

Claudette Therriault, Sabattus