The Wall That Heals is now available for viewing at the Manitowoc County Expo Grounds. The three quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall arrived on the Lakeshore on Tuesday, and people lined the streets to watch as hundreds of motorcyclists escorted it from Two Rivers to Manitowoc. There are a few ceremonies scheduled to take place while the wall is up, as Terry Johnson from the Manitowoc County Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America explains. Tonight there is a “welcome home ceremony at 6:30 PM, 50TH anniversary pin awards to ALL veterans in attendance. Then on Friday there will be a candle light vigil at 7:30 PM. Candles will be supplied and will be lit from the Eternal Flame.” And if the weather permits, there will be a Blackhawk helicopter landing at the site today as well.
Another Member of the VVA, Mike Flentje was on hand helping put the Wall up yesterday, and was very thankful for the many volunteers. He said that setting up the wall was “tedious” and the weather made things harder. “We went to WOMT and asked for some help, and the community rallied.” Flentje said if it wasn’t for the volunteer help “we would probably still be out there.” The VVA also thanked the community for funding the wall, as it cost $10,000 to get here. The wall will be available for viewing 24 hours a day through Sunday.
The Forst Inn is also celebrating the arrival of the wall with “The Beat Goes on, Sons of the Vietnam Era”. The show will begin at 7:30, and will include songs like “Run Through the Jungle”, “Purple Haze” and “Magic Carpet Ride”. Tickets cost $30 for the show.
