Jan Scruggs, decorated veteran and the driving force behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony for The Wall That Heals, at 10 a.m. on October 25 on the grounds of Ford Motor Company World Headquarters.

The traveling half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall will be available for viewing by the public around the clock from 10 a.m. on Thursday, October 25 till 8 a.m. on Monday, October 29. It is free.

“The Wall That Heals transcends the Vietnam War to help our great nation renew its relationship with veterans of all wars,” said Scruggs, founder and president of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF). “It helps veterans from all of America’s conflicts to find healing and a powerful connection through their common military experiences.”

Scruggs was a wounded and decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade of the U.S. Army.

In 1979, Scruggs conceived the idea to build a tribute to those who served during the Vietnam War.

He launched the effort with $2,800 of his own money, gained support from other veterans, and together persuaded Congress to provide a location on federal government property. The story of that effort is told in the book and movie To Heal a Nation.

Scruggs continues today as president of the VVMF, the nonprofit organization created to build and maintain the Memorial, now in its 30th year.

Scruggs will see the groundbreaking in November for a companion Education Center to be located near the Vietnam memorial.

A big part of bringing awareness of the men and women who were lost in the war is the display of the replica Wall coming to Dearborn.

 Oct. 25 Opening Ceremony in Dearborn

Tributes, including music, will be provided at the October 25 opening ceremony at Ford World Headquarters.

Also offering remarks will Dearborn Mayor John B. O’Reilly, Jr. and Mike Bannister, chairman and chief executive officer for Ford Motor Credit Company and executive vice president of Ford. Bannister is an Army veteran and executive champion for the Ford Veterans Network.

The Dearborn Allied War Veterans Council (DAWVC), with new Commander Phil Smith, will lead the service.

Organizers are encouraging representatives from nearby communities to attend and lay a wreath in honor of their residents who never came home from Vietnam.

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The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 6 presidential election is Tuesday, Oct. 9.

If you are a Dearborn resident and unsure if you are registered, or to find out your precinct, please call the Dearborn City Clerk’s Office at 943-2032.

You may register to vote at the Clerk’s Office during business hours 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. through Tuesday.

Residents who are registered may pick up an absentee ballot application at the City Clerk’s office during those same business hours.

The Clerk’s Office will accept absentee ballot applications until Saturday, Nov. 3. The Clerk’s office will be open that day from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov 6.

Government issued photo ID is required at the precinct in order to vote.

The West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority is sponsoring the first annual West Dearborn “Oktoberfest” event today, Oct. 5 from 5-11 p.m. The event includes children’s activities, food trucks, vendors, beer, live music, a Vegas Tent, and more.

The “Oktoberfest” is just one in a series of events the West Dearborn DDA and local businesses are partnering with to put on to generate business in downtown West Dearborn.

The West Dearborn DDA says the idea for “Oktoberfest” originated out of collaboration with the West Dearborn DDA and the Parking Advisory Commission.

The participants of the committee were: West Dearborn DDA, Dearborn Chamber of Commerce, Dearborn Exchange Club, Double Olive, Moose’s Martini Pub, The Well, Merchant’s Fine Wine, Reborn Magazine.

The event is also being sponsored by many of our West Dearborn sponsors who will participate as vendors at the event advertising their businesses by selling food, products, etc. These sponsors are:

• Double Olive
• The Well
• Moose’s Martini Pub
• Detroit Dogs
• Pizza Kitchen
• Catering by Ed
• Le Cigar
• Edible Arrangements
• Dearborn Animal Shelter
• La Pita
• Salon West of Dearborn
• Reborn Magazine
• Powerhouse Gym
• East Town

Also two food trucks: Green Zebra and Treat Dreams. The Dearborn Exchange Club is also hosting the “Vegas Tent.”

An antique appraisal clinic will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Dearborn Historical Museum’s McFadden-Ross House, 915 Brady Street.

The antique appraisal clinic is open to the public and is sponsored by the Museum Guild of Dearborn. All proceeds will be used to support the Museum.

The clinic will operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You must register at the event in order to participate, and you must register by 3:30 p.m.

Robert Du Mouchelle from Du Mouchelle Art Galleries will evaluate your antiques and collectibles. The cost for appraisal is $10 per item and there is a limit of five hand-carried items per person. No musical instruments, furniture or weapons will be appraised.

For additional information about the antique appraisal clinic, call 313.565.3000.

Mark your calendars for this Tuesday to learn more about the candidates running for Dearborn School Board.

The League of Women Voters of Dearborn – Dearborn Heights is hosting the forum at Dearborn City Hall in the Council Chambers. The forum begins at 7 p.m. on Oct. 2.

There are three candidates running for two open seats. Incumbents Aimee Blackburn (first elected in 2000 and serving her third term) and Mary Lane (serving her third term) are working to keep their positions, while Mary K. Petlichkoff is throwing her hat back in the race after being defeated in 2011.