The Vietnam Travelling Wall - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

chassisman · #1 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

Is coming for a stop in my small town. It will be set up at our civic center and as you might imagine, we are quite honored to have it! The estimate for visitors is 15-30K which is sure to turn this sleepy little town of 5000 upside down.
I really can't wait to see it, as I'm sure I'll never see the "real" one.

Steve · #2 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

I've seen both.

The one in DC will be one of the more emotional walks you'll have. I defy anyone to walk from one end to the other without tears welling up in their eyes.

We had the traveling wall here in San Diego a few years ago. It's much smaller, but the impact is similar.

I'd like to see it come back around here...

chassisman · #3 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

The article in our local paper said it is 80% of the originals size, so it must be pretty big as well.

Steve · #4 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassisman

The article in our local paper said it is 80% of the originals size, so it must be pretty big as well.

Hmmm... I don't recall it being that big. It's been a few years, though, so my memory may be a little fuzzy.

Either way, it's impressive...

Richyrich03867 · #5 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

Footnote.com has a virtual vietnam memorial wall on their website. You can add pics and leave comments.

AkDiesel · #6 (**permalink**) 3 Weeks Ago

The traveling wall has made it to the my area twice in the last 20 years or so.
I am with Steve, if one can walk from one end to the other with out feeling some thing, go straight to one's city Morgue.

RRAHH · #7 (**permalink**) 2 Weeks Ago

I've been to the one in Washington but I didn't feel anything! It's not that I don't care. It's just that this was before I was even born! Regardless, I have major respect for anyone that can throw themselves into such danger and die fighting for what they believe to be right!

Sunshine · #8 (**permalink**) 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by chassisman

Is coming for a stop in my small town. It will be set up at our civic center and as you might imagine, we are quite honored to have it! The estimate for visitors is 15-30K which is sure to turn this sleepy little town of 5000 upside down.
I really can't wait to see it, as I'm sure I'll never see the "real" one.

I think that wall is the mock up that was used in the move In Country, which was filmed in western KY.

If you ever get the chance, you should see the real thing. Perhaps the feel will be the same with the fake one, but it is truly unforgetable and indescribable at the real one. They have ladders out there so you can climb up and touch the names of your friends and family who died. It has to be one of the most emotionally intense experiences I have ever had.

Take a rose to lay at the base of it. Or a flag to stick in the ground.

Sunshine · #9 (**permalink**) 2 Weeks Ago

Quote:

Originally Posted by RRAHH

I've been to the one in Washington but I didn't feel anything! It's not that I don't care. It's just that this was before I was even born! Regardless, I have major respect for anyone that can throw themselves into such danger and die fighting for what they believe to be right!

There is a lot more to it than just honoring the war dead. That war cut a gash into the heart of America. Those of us who were there understand that statement. The architect, an Asian woman, who designed it understood that. The wall itself is embedded in a huge gash in a hill, a symbol she says for what happened in this country.

chassisman · #10 (**permalink**) 2 Weeks Ago

I was out front unloading a wrecked race chassis off the truck and the cops shut the side street traffic down for the arrival of the wall. I grabbed my camera.......check it out !