Neighbor News
Howell To Host All New Larger The Wall That Heals
New Wall replica is 375 feet in length, stands 7.5 feet tall, and travels with new educational exhibits
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Livingston County on August 23-26, 2018 at Spencer J. Hardy Airport, 3399 Country Airport Drive, Howell, MI 48855 and will be open 24 hours a day and is free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
Howell will be among the first to host the new, larger exhibit which includes a three-quarter scale Wall replica that is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. With the new replica at this size, visitors will be able to experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. For the first time in the history of The Wall That Heals, visitors will be able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall. This will be The Wall That Heals only stop in Michigan this year.
“We are thrilled to share the new The Wall That Heals exhibit with the public this year. Through The Wall That Heals, we are able to return the names home to communities across the country and allow Vietnam veterans and their family members who cannot make it to Washington, D.C. the opportunity to see The Wall. It gives communities a teaching moment for younger generations on why we should honor those who have served and sacrificed so much,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF.
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The exhibit includes The Wall replica and a mobile Education Center comprised of: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall and of the collection of items left at The Wall in D.C.; educational exhibits told through items in the collection; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most visited memorials in our nation’s capital, with more than 5.2 million visitors each year. However, many Americans have not been able to visit what has become known to many as “The Wall.” The Wall That Heals made its debut in 1996 and since then has been on display in nearly 600 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. Last year alone, more than 250,000 people visited The Wall That Heals. Hosting The Wall That Heals provides a community with a multi-day experience that includes an educational experience for local schools and organizations on the history of the Vietnam era and The Wall.
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VVMF coordinates local stops of The Wall That Heals and the accompanying mobile Education Center. The current schedule and more information can be found at: www.thewallthatheals.org. The 2018 national The Wall That Heals tour is hauled through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and the trucking industry and generously sponsored by USAA, FedEx and GEICO. Local corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available, email twthhowell@gmail.com for more information.
About The Wall replica
The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Like the original Memorial, The Wall That Heals is erected in a chevron-shape and for the first time in the history of The Wall That Heals, visitors will be able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.
The replica is constructed of Avonite, a synthetic granite, and its 144 individual panels are supported by an aluminum frame. Machine engraving of the more than 58,000 names along with modern LED lighting provide better readability of The Wall day and night.
The names on The Wall That Heals replicate the names on The Wall in Washington, D.C. As on The Wall, the names are listed alphabetically 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.
About the mobile Education Center
A new 53-foot trailer transports The Wall That Heals from community to community. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center. This unique educational experience gives visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall.
The mobile Education Center displays includes: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall and of the collection of items left at The Wall in D.C.; educational exhibits told through items in the collection; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.
About VVMF
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C. in 1982. VVMF is dedicated to honoring and preserving the legacy of service in America and educating all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies and education materials.
To learn more about VVMF or to make a donation, please visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090. If you are interested in helping out we have several volunteer opportunities available, please contact Anne Marie Coleman at annecm@umich.edu for more information.
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Disabled American Veterans Chapter 125
Auxiliary Unit 125
