Paul Geigle said that as a veteran, he “went into hibernation” and didn't want to get involved in the community. He kept to himself, which he said most Vietnam War veterans chose to do.

On Tuesday night, his application to become a member of the Veterans Council passed unanimously through the Board of Selectmen.

Though he wanted seclusion at first, he changed his mind after reading an article about Vietnam veteran, Grand Marshal of several Veterans Day parades, and Memorial Day master of services Jim Bruce. Geigle was inspired to march in a parade.

He said he went right into the parade and met both Bruce and council president Bob White that same day.

Geigle has been a part of the Veterans Day Committee for several years now. He wanted to join the Veterans Council last year, but said he didn't get his application in on time.

He's been appointed this year, just as the council is putting together what Geigle called “a monumental task.”

Quite literally, since the veterans are bringing in “The Moving Wall,” a half-size, portable replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.

“I'm very excited about jumping into the project they're jumping into,” he said.

Geigle hopes to become involved in the information and marketing aspect of the project, but he said his overall goal as a member is to get other veterans to come out to meetings and gatherings, and “rub elbows with their fellow veterans.”

“[In war] you see things you should never have to see. And most of the time, you don't even tell your family members about them,” he said. “It's good to talk sometimes.”

The Moving Wall is expected to come to Wareham in August of next year. Read more about the project here.