Palmerton Councilman Richard Nothstein gave an update on planning associated with the Vietnam War moving wall that will be on display in the borough in late July.

Work on preparing the site in the borough park for the wall will begin around July 13.The committee working on the project plans to install a walkway that will run in front of the wall and get some shrubbery lent to them for the display.When the wall arrives in town, "It will require 24-7 protection," Nothstein said. "We will need about 36 people each day" to help with security.Nothstein said the moving wall will be accompanied by a police and motorcycle escort into town.The opening ceremony will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 21. The time was moved to later in the day, so that people working during the day could come to the ceremony.The programs for the week-long visit with the wall are still being worked on, but the committee would like to have a candlelight service on July 23. They are considering lighting 18 luminaries for the 18 servicemen from Carbon County that died during the Vietnam War. The luminaries would then be let go into the sky."It's going to be a moving thing for most people," he said.The Palmerton Band will be playing one night.The closing ceremony will be on July 25.Although it might seem like Palmerton is behind bringing the Vietnam memorial to the area, it really was through the work of Carbon County veterans groups, Nothstein said.Veterans groups from McAdoo and Jim Thorpe, as well as Jim Thorpe National Bank have given substantial monetary donations to help with the costs associated with bringing the wall to the area, he said.Nothstein also told the council that the fundraisers at County Harvest and Subway raised about $5,000 for Gino Roberts last weekend. Roberts was injured in a car crash on June 4 that destroyed his van and left him with serious injuries. The funds will help him with medical costs or other costs resulting from the crash."This is a special place, this borough," Nothstein said, regarding the neighborly care shown in the community.Borough council members also lauded the accomplishments of five Palmerton Area High School graduates of the Class of 2016. The resolutions were passed to honor students who "exhibited a degree of excellence in academics along with school and community participation. The students honored were Brynn Boehler, Lila Goodhile, Tyler King, Devon Santos, and Gavin Scott.Nothstein read the entire resolution, while each councilman that followed presented specific information about one student at a time. Although they participated in different school clubs, sports teams and community activities, all five of the graduates were active in multiple organizations.Boehler, King and Santos were present at the council meeting to receive their framed resolutions. Goodhile and Scott were not present at the meeting.