As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and West Point’s role as a commemorative community, The Wall That Heals will visit the U.S. Military Academy and the greater West Point community Oct. 22-25.
This traveling exhibit, also known as The Moving Wall, includes a 250-foot replica of the original memorial in Washington, D.C. and a mobile education center. Each year, millions visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which honors the millions who served their country during the Vietnam War. Tens of thousands gave their lives during the many years of conflict and their names are etched into the black granite. It will give those who have not been able to make the journey to our nation’s capital, the opportunity to renew their relationship with veterans of all wars, honor and respect those who have fallen, and reflect upon the contributions and sacrifices of the millions of Americans who have served. The exhibit is free and open to the general public. It will be located on Trophy Point, in the area just behind the Sedgwick statue. The opening ceremony will be held at 8:40 a.m. Oct. 22, and the regularly scheduled hours of operation are from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Oct. 22-24 and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Oct. 25. To help with the set up on Oct. 21, volunteers are needed. Volunteers need to be at Trophy Point at 1 p.m. to set up. Also, volunteers will be needed to break down as well on Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. For details on volunteering, contact Gus Fishburne at gfishburne62@aol.com or 845-446-4055.
Since its inception in 1996, over 2 million people have visited the Memorial Fund’s traveling exhibit. It has made stops in nearly 250 U.S. locales in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. For details, visit http://www.vvmf.org/twth.