Traveling Vietnam Veterans Wall stops in Lawton

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LAWTON, Okla. - They call it "The Wall That Heals" and Tuesday the traveling Vietnam Veterans Wall made its way into Lawton.

The Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club and police escorted the wall to Elmer Thomas Park. The wall has 58,000 names of veterans who died in Vietnam, just as the original wall does in Washington D.C.

Organizers say the number of Vietnam Veterans is getting smaller and that is why it is important they get to a chance to experience the wall. They will get the chance on Wednesday.

The wall is an exact replica of the one in the nation's capitol and, because the veterans are getting older, they may not ever have a chance to get to D.C. to see the wall. They say this is the next best thing.

"I think it will bring a lot of tears to a lot of people," said Vietnam Veteran Elliot Nash.

Nash was an aircraft mechanic during Vietnam.

"It's just nice to see a memorial of all the people we lost over there. We lost 58,000 people over there," said Nash.

Gary Rice led Tuesday's escort of motorcycle riders. Rice says it is called "The Wall That Heals" because, for the people who lost sons, daughters, or children in the Vietnam War, it can be a comfort.

"This wall just helps them put something at peace," said Rice.

It not only helps Veterans like Nash, but also the younger generation who may not know much about Vietnam.

"We'll have children come up to us and say, ‘what's POW/MIA?' and some people laugh and they think it's funny and it's not because they are not being educated and that's what part of this is all about to educate the younger generation," said Rice.

"They don't teach it in school anymore, what's happened over there. Very few kids can even tell you about Vietnam," said Nash.

The Vietnam Veterans of America could use some help in putting up the wall. Volunteers from the community and Fort Sill will begin putting up all 24-panels in Elmer Thomas Park Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. If you would like to help, stop by.

There will be a ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday at Elmer Thomas Park. The wall will stay in Lawton until Sunday afternoon.

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