The Wall That Heals, a half-size, mobile version of the VietNam Veterans Memorial, will come to Chester County on July 28.
EAST BRANDYWINE — The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display in Chester County from July 28th to 31st at East Brandywine Community Park. Part of a national tour, the replica memorial wall and accompanying mobile education center can be visited, free of charge, throughout the day and night, at the park, located on 440 Dilworth Road, Downingtown.
“This is an exciting opportunity for Chester County residents to experience the impact of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall close to home,” said Sandy Lammey, Chair of East Brandywine Township’s Parks & Recreation Committee. “The Wall is the most visited memorial in Washington D.C. and bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.”
East Brandywine Township and Hopewell United Methodist Church (UMC), hosts of the event, applied to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to choose this region as one of the stops on the 2016 tour.
“It is a privilege to have been selected to host the Wall that Heals and to provide an opportunity for all residents – especially local veterans and their families – to see the memorial that honors the three million-plus Americans who served during the Vietnam War,” noted John Neider, Pastor of Outreach Ministries at Hopewell UMC. “East Brandywine Park is a great setting for Wall, and, because of the great response to our call for volunteers, the display will be open throughout the day and night.”
The Wall That Heals committee has coordinated a number of events to take place while the display is at East Brandywine Park. Beginning on July 27th, a police and motorcycle escort will follow the Wall and mobile education center from Uwchlan Township through to the Borough of Downingtown, and eventually out to East Brandywine Park.
On Thursday evening, July 28th, a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. brings together veterans, sponsors, elected officials and the public to mark the official opening of the Wall display in Chester County.
Wreath laying ceremonies will be held by the Downingtown VFW at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 29th, and by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 436 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30th. A brief closing ceremony will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 31st, before The Wall That Heals travels on to its next venue.
“We are also very grateful for the financial support provided by local businesses, organizations and private donations that covered the cost to host The Wall That Heals at East Brandywine Community Park,” added Sandy Lammey.
Since its debut in 1996, more than two million people have visited The Wall That Heals sites. It has made stops in nearly 400 U.S. communities in addition to a tour of Ireland and a visit to Canada. Hosting The Wall That Heals provides area residents with a multi-day educational experience on the history of the Vietnam era and The Wall. The exhibit includes a mobile education center comprised of: photos of service members whose names are found on The Wall; letters and memorabilia left at The Wall in D.C.; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict in Vietnam. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.
For more information about The Wall That Heals display in Chester County, and the activities supporting it, go to, www.ebrandywine.org.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) coordinates local stops of The Wall That Heals and the accompanying mobile Education Center. The current schedule and more information can be found at www.thewallthatheals.org. The 2016 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by: USAA, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Trust, FedEx, and Geico.
