COMING TO BUTTE, MONTANA
Wednesday 8/28/2024 - Sunday 9/1/2024
TOURING WALL REPLICA AND MOBILE EDUCATION CENTER
THE WALL THAT HEALS
On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) unveiled a 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 700 communities throughout the nation, spreading the Memorial’s healing legacy to millions.
Bringing The Wall home 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 traveling exhibit provides thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.
The main components of The Wall That Heals are The Wall replica and the mobile Education Center.
The Wall That Heals exhibit was on the road for nearly 18,000 miles and visited 32 communities across the country during its 2023 season. We were escorted by nearly 3,000 vehicles into those communities, and we were able to spread The Wall’s healing legacy to more than 222,000 visitors. Guided tours of the exhibit were provided to more than 21,000 visitors.
THE WALL REPLICA
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.
As on The Wall, the names on The Wall That Heals 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.
THE WALL THAT HEALS
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.
Hometown Heroes
Photos of service members on The Wall who list their home of record from the local area.
The photos are part of The Wall of Faces, an effort to put a face to every name inscribed on The Wall in Washington, D.C.
In Memory Honor Roll
Photos of local Vietnam veterans honored through VVMF’s In Memory program, which honors veterans who returned home and later died.
Digital photos are of In Memory honorees from the state where the exhibit is on display.
In Memory Plaque Replica
A replica of the In Memory plaque that resides on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C. and reads:
“In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.”
Items Left Behind
Displays of items representative of those left at The Wall in Washington, D.C. in remembrance of those on The Wall.
Learn about the items on display with The Wall That Heals exhibit by clicking here.
Thank you to our local sponsors!
