A significant event is set to take place in Alexandria, Virginia, as The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will be on display from June 12 to 15 at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.
This presentation is particularly poignant this year, as the traditional military parade on June 14 caused the largest annual gathering at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to be displaced.
Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), noted the last-minute efforts to ensure that families and friends can continue to honor their Vietnam veterans in a fitting manner, stating, “Fortunately, the George Washington Masonic National Memorial eagerly stepped forward to bring the sanctity and peaceful nature of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the thousands of family and friends gathering to honor their Vietnam veterans.”
The exhibit will be accessible around the clock and free to the public, featuring a heartfelt tribute to the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.
The Wall bears the names of 58,281 individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice.
In addition to the replica wall, the accompanying mobile Education Center will be displaying digital photos of local service members, educational exhibits, and artifacts from the original memorial found in Washington, D.C.
Cynthia Long, co-chair of the local hosting committee, expressed gratitude for the local residents’ ability to connect with powerful remnants of the past.
Long emphasized, “We are blessed to have the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in our backyard, but locals never get the opportunity to see representative examples of the 400,000 items left behind at The Wall.”
She highlighted that the mobile Education Center will provide a reflective experience where visitors can consider the implications of both the war and the memorial.
The replica stretches 375 feet long and rises to 7.5 feet at its highest point, allowing visitors to feel the effective design of being ascended as they approach the apex.
In this serene setting overlooking the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, guests will have the unique opportunity to make name rubbings from individual service members inscribed on The Wall.
Special events are also planned throughout the exhibit duration including an Agent Orange Awareness candlelight vigil on June 12, an In Memory 2025 Induction Ceremony on June 14 to honor 774 Vietnam veterans who returned home but later passed away, and a Father’s Day Rose Remembrance on June 15, where visitors can sponsor roses in memory of fathers who served during Vietnam.
The planning for this event, typically requiring six months to several years, was expedited due to the circumstances surrounding the military parade.
The local community is actively participating, with over 200 volunteers expected to assist with setup on June 12 and takedown on June 16.
Furthermore, dozens of volunteers will be needed around the clock to engage with attendees and answer questions during the exhibit’s continuous display.
For those interested in contributing or seeking further details, the VVMF website offers information about volunteer opportunities and event specifics at www.vvmf.org/The-Wall-That-Heals-Alexandria.
This initiative serves as a touching reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans and ensures a space for reflection and commemoration right within the local community.
image source from：https://thezebra.org/2025/05/27/vietnam-veterans-memorial-replica-the-wall-that-heals-coming-to-alexandria-june-12-15/
