BRANDON, FL -- The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, a three-quarter-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be on display October 29 - November 1 at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 West Brandon Boulevard.
It is a source of pride for those who've served.
"Being a Vietnam Veteran and knowing what we went through, it is important for folks to see this," said Ken Malone, who helped escort the wall into the gardens Tuesday morning.
"You know you can hate the war, but at least support the troops."
Ken was not alone in his support as the replica wall arrived.
More than 150 vets helped construct the replica which is eight feet high and 240 feet long. Its black, reflective surface is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 servicemen and women who died or are missing in Vietnam.
"It's well worth it," said veteran Rick Karczewski, who has helped build other replica walls during their Bay-area visits. "Every minute of it."
Created by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers in 1990, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is dedicated to all Americans who served in Vietnam and honors all veterans of the U.S. military. The exhibit is sponsored locally by Hillsboro Memorial Gardens and the Dignity Memorial Providers in the Tampa area.
The exhibit is free and open around-the-clock from Thursday, Oct. 29 at 7:00 p.m. through Sunday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m. Highlights include:
* An Education Day on Wednesday, October 28 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. will make the replica available to local high school classes studying the Vietnam War. The Vietnam Helicopter Association will have a Vietnam-era helicopter on display that students will be allowed to sit inside.
* At 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 29 there will be a candlelight memorial service beginning with a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony presented by the Veterans Museum of Hillsboro County. The Marine Corps League will perform Taps after the POW/MIA ceremony.
* Opening Ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. Jerry Klein, a Vietnam veteran who served with A Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Calvary, 1st Division, will deliver the keynote address. Klein was awarded the Silver Star, the Air Medal and the Combat Infantryman's Badge for his service in Vietnam and now serves as National Chair of the Veterans Benefits Committee for Vietnam Veterans of America. A missing man formation flyover will conclude the opening ceremonies.
* Closing Ceremonies will take place on November 1 at 2 p.m. The Last Patrol will perform a special "Ceremony of Remembrance" to honor and remember the country's fallen heroes. The ceremony will end with a time capsule rededication and a moment of silence.
