The Wall That Heals

 

 

 

On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund 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 visited more than 350 cities and towns 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, known as The Wall That Heals, allows the many 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.


Three components of The Wall That Heals

 

The Wall Replica


The Wall That Heals exhibition features a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  It is approximately 250 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 panels join together to form a nearly 250 feet wide structure.

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 ending of the conflict at the center.

 

The Traveling Museum

The exterior sides of the trailer that carries The Wall That Heals open to become a mobile museum.  Information cases display photos of service members whose names are found on The Wall, along with letters and memorabilia left at The Wall in D.C. The Museum also includes a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict in Vietnam.

Exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.

 

The Information Center


A 20’ x 20’ white canvas tent is attached to the trailer and serves as an Information Center, where visitors can find names, either in a Directory of Names or by asking one of the volunteers working the computers.  A variety of other useful materials are also available to assist visitors in their search.

The Wall That Heals 2012 tour is generously sponsored by:
 

 

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    The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund takes our stewardship of your donations seriously. The programs we fund are designed to help us achieve our mission of preserving the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, promoting healing and educating about the impact of the Vietnam War.