MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — The Wall That Heals, a replica Vietnam War Memorial that travels the country, is making its only South Dakota stop for the year this weekend.
Built at 3/4 scale to the monument on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., it can be broken down, trucked across the country, and then set up in a new town in a matter of days. There is also an educational center as part of the exhibit that attempts to correct the wrongs experienced by troops when they returned home from combat.
The Vietnam War lasted for nearly 20 years with the heaviest fighting from the mid-1960’s to early-1970’s. An estimated 58,220 American troops died. Over 300,000 were wounded in the fighting.
The Wall That Heals will be available to visit 24 hours a day beginning on Thursday in Brookings. The monument will be in town until Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Sunday is also Flag Day, meaning this weekend carries extra weight for those who attend.
The wall is scheduled to be set up at the Fishback Soccer Complex at 1100 20th St. S. Mitchell Now has yet to be able to find any groups planning to make the trip from Mitchell. If you are organizing an outing to help veterans visit The Wall That Heals, please email news@mitchellnow.com.
