By Brett Callwood
The Wall That Heals, a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. accompanied by the Mobile Education Center, returns to Gardena on Thursday, April 4, until Sunday, April 7.
The Wall will be located at Johnson Park, 1200 W. 170th St. Gardena 90247, and will be open 24hrs a day.
Amber Suit, Recreation Supervisor for the City of Gardena, said that the exhibit honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
“The 53-foot trailer that carries The Wall That Heals transforms to become a mobile Education Center,” Suit said. “The exterior of the trailer features a timeline of ‘The War and The Wall’ and provides additional information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits give visitors a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The Wall.”
The Wall is being coordinated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the City of Gardena, and Sponsored by LAX Auto and Charitable Funds Benefiting Gardena. It’s open to anyone.
Volunteers are no longer required, but Suit and the organizers are keen for as many people as possible to visit the Wall That Heals while they have the chance.
“There are education opportunities and name rubbing from the Wall That Heals,” Suit said. “We are also offering Group Guided Tours that are available to schools and community groups.”
The Wall was escorted from El Segundo to Gardena with police and motorcycle riders on Tuesday, April 2. For more information, visit www.cityofgardena.org/thewall
