Bartlesville's 'Wall of Honor'

It was "standing room only" at a Bartlesville shopping mall Monday, where hundreds of people honored area veterans. <br/><br/>Washington Park Mall unveiled its "Wall of Honor", a permanent tribute to

Monday, May 31st 2004, 5:15 am

By: News On 6

It was "standing room only" at a Bartlesville shopping mall Monday, where hundreds of people honored area veterans.

Washington Park Mall unveiled its "Wall of Honor", a permanent tribute to about 1,500 Oklahoma service men and women. Veterans and family members gathered for the first public viewing of the wall. It displays the names and branches of service members from the Civil War to today's military operations.

Some of the honorees were overwhelmed with emotion. Desert Storm-Shield veteran Matthew Tonubbe: "I guess it really shows that the community supports the veterans. It really does, it means a great deal to me and to all the other veterans."

World War II veteran Gerald Bellmeyer: "Ooh. I couldn't believe it. We had a great feeling that we were capable of doing our job."

Gerald Bellmeyer is one of seven brothers who have served America from World War II to Vietnam.