The Wall That Heals Coming To Butte
Author: Michael Taapken, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Wall that Heals Coming to Butte
Michael Taapken
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., will be on display at Father Sheehan Park in Butte from Aug. 28 to Sept. 1.
The Wall That Heals honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam, including 22 from Butte-Silver Bow County and 267 from Montana. The display and a mobile Education Center will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public to experience.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Butte, MT, to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the
Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”
Butte was selected one of 32 cities from 85 applicants to host the large traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Butte will be the only city within a thousand miles to host this special exhibit for the 2024 calendar year. Organizers are anticipating tens of thousands of visitors to visit the display, pay their respects and say, “Welcome home."
The Wall That Heals is 375 feet long and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of The Wall in D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.
The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history in a historical and cultural context. The Education Center exhibit also includes digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” – service members whose names are on The Wall and whose home of record is within the area of a visit. The Education Center also exhibits digital photos 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.
Gold and Silver Sponsors (as of May 31, 2024)
- Town Pump
- Freedom Ranch for Heroes
- Butte Broadcasting
- Tourism Business Improvement District (Butte)
The Wall That Heals History
Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 700 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at https://www.thewallthatheals.org.
About VVMF
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 continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies and educational materials. To learn more about VVMF, visit https://www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.
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PhotoCredit: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
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