The Wall That Heals at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
It was with great honor that the Texas Veterans Land Board hosted The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, from March 7— 11. The Wall remained open 24 hours a day, starting at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7 until 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 11. The opening ceremony was held on Thursday, March 8 at 10:00 a.m.
The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery was 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, visitors were able to experience The Wall rising above them as they walked 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 were able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.
“We are thrilled to share the new The Wall That Heals exhibit with the public this year,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “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.”
The exhibit included 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.
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.
“Bringing The Wall that Heals to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery served to continue the healing process for those affected by the Vietnam War,” said Eric Brown, Deputy Director for the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries at the Texas Veterans Land Board. “The display of the wall ensured the memory of those that perished will never be forgotten.”
Many thanks go out to the Central Texas Patriot Guard Riders and the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department for escorting The Wall That Heals from Cedar Park to the Veterans Cemetery in Killeen.
We are also extremely grateful to those who volunteered their time to help set up and break down The Wall That Heals. A special thank you goes to the Ellison High School JROTC for posting the colors and Patrick Christ, LTC (ret.) for speaking at the opening ceremony.
Nine residents from the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home visited The Wall That Heals on Thursday, March 8. Some of them found the names of those they had served with and one resident found a family member.
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 the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
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.
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) has four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries across Texas in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen and Mission. These cemeteries are hallowed grounds exclusively for Veterans, their spouses, and dependent children. They are special resting places, close to home, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. For more information please call 1–800–252–8387 or visit TexasVeterans.com.
