Replica Vietnam wall comes to state
Escorted by the Patriot Guard Riders, The Wall That Heals traveling memorial arrived Wednesday morning for a four-day display at the state Capitol complex.
The wall — a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. — lists the names of more than 58,000 American service members who died in the Vietnam War.
"It's humbling when you look at it for sure," said Dick Clark, who served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1967.
Clark was among those who escorted the tractortrailer from Norman to the Oklahoma History Center. It was just his third ride with the Patriot Guard.
"It meant a lot. All these who gave everything," Clark said. "Too many" of the names on the wall belong to people he knew.
Clark and his twin brother, who lost a leg, both survived the war and received the Purple Heart medal. The Oklahoma City Fire Department suspended a 50-foot American flag between two hookand-ladder trucks to welcome the caravan to the Oklahoma History Center campus, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive.
The tractor-trailer carrying The Wall That Heals also serves as an education center. The exterior sides open to reveal display photos of service members whose names are found on the Wall in D.C., along with letters and memorabilia left there. 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.
Members of Honoring America's Warriors were on hand Wednesday to help construct the replica wall and will provide security throughout its stay in Oklahoma City.
"Somebody has to stand watch," said Scotty "Dee" Deatherage, executive director of the nonprofit. About a dozen members of the group were expected to help over the four days, from construction through breaking down the display, he said.
A formal opening ceremony for the display will be at 11 a.m. Thursday. The 145th Oklahoma National Guard Band will provide music and retired Rear Admiral Greg Slavonic, chief of staff for Sen. James Lankford, will be the featured speaker.
The Wall That Heals will remain open to the public free of charge 24 hours a day until 2 p.m. Sunday. From Oklahoma City, it will leave for San Angelo, Texas.