Tribute to veterans — The Traveling Wall


Thursday, May 10, 2007
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Tribute to veterans — The Traveling Wall

Photo by Welsh Photography

Poignant scenes at “the Wall”
The Traveling Wall is a 3/5 scale of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C.; it stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The memorial Wall is sponsored by the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard (VVB). Work to build the Wall was started in April of 2005. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall was completed and first shown to the public April 24, 2006. This Traveling Memorial stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. It was made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships. The Traveling Memorial Vietnam Wall also allows people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their home town, who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.

A tribute to America’s military past, present and future, the fifth annual “Trail of Honor” will kickoff Saturday May 19, with an opening ceremony at 9 a.m.

The trail consists of historically accurate displays with re-enactors, uniforms/clothing and equipment of the era and the war. Some of the larger pieces of equipment on display include: M2A2 Bradley, M-109A6 Paladin, M1A2 Abraham, M557 Command and Control Vehicle and Civil War Cannons.

This year’s event will feature the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. The Wall opens to the public on Tuesday, May 15 and will be open to the public 24 hours a day through May 20. The Traveling Wall is a 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC, it stands six feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. The Traveling Memorial Vietnam Wall allows people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their hometown, who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.

The “Trail of Honor” event culminates with the ‘Run for the Wall’ on Monday, May 21.

This part of the event involves hundreds of bikers riding through Jackson on their way to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in our nation’s capitol. Many of these bikers are active or retired military personnel with a mission to promote healing among all veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), and to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA).

“The relationship this event has had with the military is one based upon respect and admiration,” said Earl Rottmann, owner of Harley-Davidson of Central Mississippi.

Dignitaries attending the event include Medal of Honor recipients, ex-Prisoners of War, Tuskegee Airmen, Navajo Codetalkers and more. Many of these military heroes will be available for photos, autographs and book signings.

The ‘Trail of Honor’ attracts an attendance of more than 10,000 visitors from all over the country and is completley free of charge to the public. Sponsored by American Legion Post 1, the event is located at Harley-Davidson of Central Mississippi. Parking for the general public is located at the Jackson Police Pistol Range on McDowell Road with shuttle bus service to the event site every 10 minutes.

Motorcycle parking and special parking for the handicapped will be available at/or adjacent to the Harley Davidson parking lot.

For more information about the event, go to www.trailofhonor.org or contact Earl Rottmann at (601) 372-5770.

For more information about the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, go to www.travelingwall.us.

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