WESLACO, Texas – Remember. Honor. Heal.
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., is coming to the Rio Grande Valley.
Presented by UT-Rio Grande Valley and the City of Edinburg, the traveling memorial will be on display at Ebony Hills Golf Course, on Freddy Gonzalez Drive and 9th Avenue in Edinburg, Thursday thru Sunday, April 20-23.
The memorial honors the men and women who gave their lives in Vietnam or later died as a result of their service. It also serves as a mobile education center.
The traveling exhibit spans 375 feet in length and rises to seven and one-half feet tall at its apex. The wall’s 140 panels contain the names of more than 58,000 service members.
News that the mobile memorial is coming to Edinburg was revealed by Manuel “Manny” Cruz, executive director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council.
“There is a special event taking here in the coming months. I was contacted about it by UTRGV, by Richard Sanchez,” Cruz told his board of directors.
“Just to make everybody aware… on behalf of several veteran organizations, UTRGV and the City of Edinburg, it is my honor to announce this upcoming event. The Wall That Heals, as you might know, is the traveling Vietnam War Memorial. It is coming to the RGV in the coming months. The location of which you can see now on your screen.
“The location will be at the Ebony Hills Golf Course on Freddie Gonzalez Drive and 9th Avenue. The wall will arrive Tuesday, April 18. It will be set up on Wednesday, April 19, with the help of volunteers. It will be open to the public at no cost starting on the morning of Thursday, April 25.
“An opening ceremony is being planned. This will be an opportunity for elected officials to be there. Again, this is on Thursday, April 20.
“The wall will remain in place from Thursday, April 25, to Sunday, April 23 and be open 24 hours a day, come rain or shine. The LRGVDC is coordinating with various groups to help get the word out of this upcoming event.
“We’re going to try to reach far and wide to make everybody aware. The goal is to draw between 20,000 to 30,000 visitors to the event. We’re looking get the assistance of at least 125 volunteers.
“It is likely there will be a candlelight vigil the evening as of Saturday, April 22. And Taps will played every evening at sunset.
“So again, I highly encourage you all to participate and visit the wall. We will send out this information this month and it will be presented again at our March board of directors meeting and constantly advertised through our social media.
“So please help us to spread the word and try to get as many people to attend The Wall that Heals war memorial.”
Editor’s Note: Here is official video, courtesy of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum:
Video
Editor’s Note: Click here for more information about The Wall That Heals coming to the Rio Grande Valley.
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