Monday, September 14, 2009

VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL EXHIBIT COMING TO AZ





"All Gave Some - Some Gave All"

A replica of "The Wall," as Vietnam vets refer to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display in Phoenix, Arizona at the Phoenix Memorial Park located at 200 W. Bearsley Rd in north Phoenix.

Free and open to the public 24 hours a day from Friday, Sept. 18 to Sunday, Sept. 20, the replica's black reflective surface is inscribed with the names of the more then 58,000 American who gave their lives or are still listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War.

The three day exhibit is sponsored locally by Phoenix Memorial Park and VFW Post 9400.

"The monument was created as a service to those who might never travel to the nation's capital to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial firsthand," said Dan Salter, director of Dignity Memorial providers in the Phoenix area. Our replica offers visitors a chance for healing and reflection, we are very pleased to be able to share it with the community." he said.

The exhibit will open to the public Friday, Sept 18. Opening ceremonies will begin at 9 a.m.

On Saturday, Sept 19. a sunset POW/MIA ceremony will include a candlelight vigil and the reading of the names of prisoners of war and those missing in action, MIA.

Closing Ceremonies will begin at 2:45 p.m. Sunday , Sept. 20 with a motorcycle salute to Vietnam veterans and will conclude with the burial of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vault of items and memorabilia left at the exhibit . The burial ceremony will include a 12-gun salute and the playing of taps.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington is the most visited National Park Service site.

Each year the replica crisscrosses the country , allowing millions of visitors to see and touch its black, mirror-like surface inscribed with the names of those who gave their all in Vietnam.

After Phoenix, the exhibit will be on display in Houston, Texas.

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