Mobile Vietnam Memorial Makes Stop in Santa Fe, New Mexico
On Tuesday, The Wall That Heals was trucked into Fort Marcy Park in Santa Fe. The mobile, half-size replica of the National Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial will be viewable 24 hours a day until Monday morning. Over the weekend, the park will host multiple events to honor those who have served and are listed on the wall. Mayor Javier Gonzales and other city officials will be present at an opening ceremony on Thursday morning.
The 250-foot-long wall is much smaller than the original, located in Washington, D.C., but bears all 58,286 service members who lost their lives in action during the Vietnam War. Included in that number is the names of the 398 New Mexicans who died while serving. Early on Saturday evening, the names of those individuals will be read during a candlelight vigil by the New Mexico chapter of the American Gold Star Mothers.
The Wall That Heals was originally created in 1996 by the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Fund. It features 24 powder-coated panels that all feature six columns of names. In addition, it opens up to showcase a mobile museum complete with photos, letters, and memorabilia contributed by the public.
Its purpose is to honor those who were killed in action, educate people about the war itself, and encourage veterans who have not been able to find the strength to visit the full memorial “find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.”
Since being built, the wall has visited more than 350 locations across the United States. It was located in San Diego last week and will make its way to San Antonio next. There is never a charge for public viewings.
Anyone that comes to see The Wall That Heals will find an abundance of other attractive local points of interests as well after they have paid their respects.
“Santa Fe is so much about history, and we have innumerable museums,” says Nobel Davis, Owner and Broker at Santa Fe Exclusives. “There is an area in Santa Fe called Museum Hill. That would be my first choice for anyone who wants to learn about what makes Santa Fe so unique.”
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