For families nationwide, being unable to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. is a tale of heartbreak.
But now, these families have a chance to pay their respects.
On Wednesday, Brooklyn, Iowa welcomed The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. You might have noticed a record number of bikes escorting the Wall as it passed through Grinnell. The replica, which is now standing at the BGM High School Football Field, will be open and free to the public through August 2, 2 PM.
Capt. William "Hawk" Albrach, a Vietnam veteran who returned home back in 1970, was yesterday’s keynote speaker for the Wall’s Welcome Home Ceremony.
“It was a difficult time to be a veteran,” recalled Albrach. “The media was against us. Public opinion was against us. Universities and schools were against us. But we hunkered down and tried not to dwell on the horrible things of war.”
The Wall That Heals features a Mobile Education Center and a replica of the In Memory plaque at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C. Community members are encouraged to visit the wall, open 24 hours a day for early morning or late night visitors. The traveling Wall That Heals has visited many locations across the U.S to give families a chance to heal. Read the official press release with more information.
Chamber Ambassadors from left to right:
- Nikki Armstead — Grinnell Chamber
- Yesenia Mozo — Grinnell Chamber
- Fran Conn
- Jennifer McAlexander — JM Consulting & Hawkeye Lock & Security
- Marcus Brandenburg — Anthem Heating & Cooling
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