Traveling Vietnam War Memorial

[Mosesatm]

One of the community service programs our company offers is that we take a 3/4 scale or 7/8 scale (can't remember which) replica of the Vietnam War Memorial Wall to various cities throughout the country. Here is the schedule for the rest of the year.

No matter what your position is on the present war or other wars I think you will find that visiting this wall is a powerful experience, especially since most of us know someone, or know of someone, who died over there. If you get the chance to see it I highly recommend it.

I had never been to the real wall in Washington so I never really understood the impact it has on people. I've still never been to the one in Washington but after visiting our replica I can now somewhat understand the power of the original.

BTW, our staff is strictly, strictly, strictly forbidden to try to sell anything to the anyone visiting the wall. I don't think donations are allowed either, except maybe to the local VFW or a similar group. We usually ask the local VFW to help us put the wall together, control traffic, and guard the wall at night.

If you really want to shed a tear visit it at night!

Dignity Memorial® Vietnam Wall
2006 SCHEDULE

June 30 – July 2
Valley Memorial Gardens
Mission, TX
(956) 686-8101

July 7 – 9
Brookside Funeral Home Lauder
Houston, TX
(281) 445-0050

Aug 11 – 13
Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home
Portland, ME
(207) 783-8545

Aug 18 – 20
Swan Funeral Home
Madison, CT
(203) 245-2488

Aug 25 – 27
James D. Barrett Funeral Home
Elmira, NY
(607) 733-4629

Sept 22 – 24
Evergreen Funeral Home and Cemetery
Louisville, KY
(812) 989-0409

Sept 29 – Oct 1
Woodlawn Memorial Park
Nashville, TN
(615) 383-4754

Oct 6 – 8
Evergreen Memorial Park
Bernstein Funeral Home
Athens, GA
(706) 543-6235


Oct 13 – 15
Culley’s MeadowWood Memorial Park
Tallahassee, FL
(850) 292-2550

Oct 20 – 22
Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home
Brandon, FL
(813) 689-8121

Oct 27 – 29
Greenlawn Memorial Park
Columbia, SC
(803) 776-1092

Nov 3 – 5
Sharon Memorial Park
Charlotte, NC
(704) 537-5011

Nov 10 – 12
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home
Raleigh, NC
(919) 863-9379 or (919) 282-4311

Nov 17 – 19
Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home
Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 671-1717

 

[Diesel Donna]

Thanks Arlie. I have always wanted to see the wall as well. I wish it had been in Elmira while I was nearby. I have a brother in Va. Beach, I'll let him know when the wall goes there.
Two of my brothers regularly perform honor/color guard duties for military and police funerals and special events, holidays. One plays the bagpipes in full regalia and the other plays taps.Both are policemen.
There is always a shortage of people needed to perform these sacred duties so if anyone of you can spare the time, please offer your services to your local AMVETS post or Veteren's association.
Thank you to all our men and women who served.


While I'm at it here.....I have to vent a pet peeve of mine. When you see our nation's flag in a parade or special event....please STAND and remove your HAT! Your hand on your heart or a salute would be a bonus too.

There I'm done, thanks for listening.

~~~~Donna

 

[Mustanglvr]

I totally agree Donna.

 

[Mustanger]

I also agree. Growing up in Royal Rangers (a boy's "scouting organization"), we had some good leaders that made sure that all of us boys knew how to properly respect and display the flag.

Check it out:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html

 

[Mosesatm]

Donna,
I hope you don't mind if I take this opportunity to brag about you.

Donna is escorting our replica Vienam Wall into Rose Hills Cemetery, in Whittier (Los Angeles) with her big flag-covered 18-wheeler next week. She'll be joined by around 700 motorcycles.


http://www.dignitymemorial.com/dm20/en_US/main/dm/veterans/vietnam-wall-tour.page

Here is the schedule, as of right now, for the rest of the year.
Whitter, CA March 22 - March 31, 2012
Augusta, GA May 25 - May 29, 2012
Babylon, NY June 21 - June 24, 2012
Danbury, CT September 21 - September 23, 2012
Fort Lauderdale, FL October 16 - October 23, 2012
Portland, OR November 9 - November 12, 2012

 

[somethingspecial]

Nice, what an honor!!!!!

 

[Ruppstang]

Too bad it will be no where near Omaha. My son went to the one in DC and thought it was great. Way to go Donna what a honor. Marty

 

[Mustanger]

That's awesome!! The tribute and the memorial to our American heros are great, and Donna's patriotic truck is a great escort for the procession into Rose Hills ... I hope someone is able to post some pic's ...

 

[Diesel Donna]

Ruben you should join me Friday night when we start reading 58,000 names! I will be reading at 8:30 pm. We need volunteers to read 24 hours a day.

This is truly an honor for me and I never imagined I would be so involved at this level.

Thanks to Arlie for his help in designing and buiding this wall and Dignity for keeping it rolling.

 

[robert campbell]

This whole thing so great it cannot be described in words!! Donna, right on, on your pet peeve. Some of the worst offenders are pro athletes and Hollywood stars....

Rob

 

[BigJim]

I saw the traveling wall some years ago. If it doesn't bring a lump to your throat something is wrong with you.

 

[Mosesatm]

I just received this photo from Donna.
She's ready to roll!

 

[joedls]

Beautiful trucks!! Even if one does belong to the Teamsters. :wink:

 

[Diesel Donna]

Beautiful trucks!! Even if one does belong to the Teamsters. :wink:

Oh Joe, I've missed you too!!

 

[Diesel Donna]

The escort went very well considering the distance we travelled and the amount of motorcycles and support vehicles. Trying to stay together in a miles long procession in Southern California traffic was a trick in itself but it looked absolutely awesome.
It was stressful at times but what an honor!
I read POW and MIA names the next night and then came back a third time for the POW/MIA candle light vigil. There are many images and videos showing up already on You Tube and Facebook.

I left my POW bracelet at the wall. I have had it for forty years and my POW did not come home. My brother is a Vietnam Vet and I asked him what should I do with my bracelet....he said it was time to let it go. It took me several days to talk myself into it but I did it.
All of the memorabilia left at the wall will be collected and cataloged,placed into a vault, blessed and buried in the rose garden of the memorial park.

Thank you so much to our Veterans, God Bless You.

 

[joedls]

Donna, you're a class act!!!