The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall®, a 244-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is coming to Oak Island, NC on July 2-6, 2015, at the Oak Island, Middleton Park and will be open and FREE for the public to attend. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall® honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces during the Vietnam War and its walls bear the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the most visited memorial in our Nation’s Capital, with more than four million visitors each year. However, many Americans have not been able to visit what has become known to many as “The Wall.” The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the organization that built The Wall, wants to give all veterans and their family members all across America an opportunity to see the Memorial.
Bringing The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall® to Oak Island – Southport area during the North Carolina State 4th of July celebration brings thousands more veterans and their family members an opportunity to see The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall® and honor those who have served and sacrificed so much.
The replica Wall is approximately 244 feet in length, and like the original Memorial is erected in a chevron-shape. The replica is constructed of powder-coated aluminum, supported by an aluminum frame, and is made up of 24 individual panels, each containing six columns of names.
The names on The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall® 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. Thus, the beginning and ending of the conflict are joined at the center, signifying an epoch in American history.
The 1600 plus names of the North Carolina names will be called out twice daily.
There are two local groups seeking to escort The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall®
to Oak Island. The Warrior Ride® – They are raising the $10,000.00 it takes to get the wall here, and over 100 volunteers will help as there can be 30-100,000 visitors through the 4 day event.
The North Carolina Patriot Guard – They will be participating and assisting with the volunteer groups to make this event a success. More information can be found at www.TheWarriorRide.org
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall® will be open 24 hours a day beginning July 2nd, 2015. There is no charge for admission.
