Garland

The Wall That Heals

February 27 – March 1

man stands at vietnam memorial wall replica
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Join NBC 5, Telemundo 39, The City of Garland, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) as we honor those who served in the U.S. Armed Services during the Vietnam War. Visit The Wall That Heals February 27 through March 1 at Audubon Park in Garland.

The Wall That Heals was escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders through Garland on Tuesday afternoon.

"Losing my friends was hard," Vietnam Veteran Sam Elizalde said. "I ride for them. That's our motto. We ride for those who can't."

On Veterans Day 1996, the VVMF unveiled a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to communities throughout the United States. Since its dedication, The Wall That Heals has been displayed at nearly 600 communities throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial’s healing legacy to millions.

"You realize just looking at all those names that every one of those guys went and served their country and didn't come back home," Patriot Guard Rider Captain Bill Kushnir said. "It comes to life when you read a name. You're not looking at an engraving. You're looking at what's representing a human being, a soldier, or whatever branch they happened to be in."

Bringing The Wall to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings.

The Wall That Heals exhibit features a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C.

Like the original memorial, The Wall That Heals is erected in a chevron-shape and visitors can do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall. The replica is constructed of Avonite, a synthetic granite, and its 140 numbered panels are supported by an aluminum frame. Machine engraving of the more than 58,000 names along with modern LED lighting provide readability of The Wall day and night.

The names of over 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country are on The Wall That Heals and are listed by day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back in to the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center.

"We never got the parade. We never got the welcome home," Elizalde said. "When this wall come in, that's when you get everybody together."

The Mobile Education Center
The 53-foot trailer that carries The Wall That Heals transforms to become a mobile education center. The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall” and provides additional information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits give visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall.

For more information about The Wall That Heals, click here.

The Wall That Heals
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica & Mobile Education Center
February 27 – March 1
Audubon Park
342 W. Oates Road
Garland, TX 75043
Admission is Free
www.garlandparks.com

About The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the non-profit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C., in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies, and education materials. To learn more about VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.

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