The Wall That Heals made its way into Dahlonega on Tuesday, escorted by a motorcade of veteran bikers and local law enforcement.
This replica of the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., bears the names of more than 58,000 men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It will be on display at the University of North Georgia through Sunday, November 3.
“This event is an opportunity for our community to pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our brave soldiers and to learn more about the history and the aftermath of the Vietnam War,” says UNG President Mike Shannon.
A testament to courage
The Wall That Heals spans more than 375 feet in length and rises to 7-and-a-half feet tall at the apex.
Shannon says, “It’s not just a memorial; it’s a powerful testament to courage, sacrifice, and the enduring cost of freedom.”
Cadets in the Reserve Officer Training Corps at UNG helped assemble the wall Wednesday morning. Shannon will host an opening ceremony for the exhibit at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30.
The public is invited to attend the ceremony and to visit the wall where they can make rubbings of people’s names on the wall. Also, there will be a mobile education center where visitors can learn more about the war and its impact.
The wall is on display on the Plaza at the UNG Dahlonega campus. For a schedule of events, see below:
The last time a replica of the moving wall visited Dahlonega was in the 1990s.
UNG presents The Wall That Heals in partnership with the Dahlonega City Council, Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Council, Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau, and the Lumpkin County School District.
