'The Wall That Heals' Vietnam Memorial Coming To Lindy Next Month

LINDENHURST, NY — A mobile memorial will soon come to the Town of Babylon, to honor those lost in the Vietnam War.

"The Wall That Heals", a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be showcased from Oct. 5 to Oct. 8 at Tanner Park in Lindenhurst.

Two ceremonies will take place at the site as well: the Welcome Home Ceremony on Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. and Purple Heart Ceremony, in which a Purple Heart will be buried, and a candlelight vigil held, on Oct. 6 at 6 p.m.

The Town of Babylon is fundraising in coordination with the event and already surpassed its $20,000 goal, now exceeding $40,000, a release said.

The traveling exhibit is a three-fourths replica of the D.C. memorial, that pays tribute to over three million Americans who served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to continue supporting our veterans and provide access to this powerful piece of history to all of our residents,” said Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer. “We hope that this monument not only provides solace and strength but learning and growth as well."

A smaller replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall similar to this exhibit drew thousands to Town Hall back in 1995, a release said.

The Wall That Heals has already aided thousands of veterans in their healing process, empowering them to encounter The Wall in the familiarity of their own communities. It also serves as an important source of peace for family and friends of veterans, as well as an educational tool.

The exhibit will be escorted from Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to Tanner Park on Oct. 3 and assembled on Oct. 4.

It will then be open from the morning of Oct. 5 to 1:45 p.m. on Oct. 8, when it will be deconstructed.

“Our Town is incredibly proud to host The Wall That Heals,” said Chair of the Town of Babylon Veterans Advisory Council and Councilman DuWayne Gregory. “I would like to give a special thanks to Charles Spencer as co-chair for his key role in bringing the exhibit to our community, as well as to everyone who made this possible. I encourage all of our residents to experience this impactful monument and all of the meaning it holds.”

Community groups who wish to receive an educational tour of the exhibit should learn more here and contact Mary Cascone at historian@townofbabylon.com or 631-587-3750.

Volunteers are also needed from Oct. 3 to Oct. 8, a release said.

To learn about volunteering opportunities and sign up, click here. For more information on The Wall That Heals at Tanner Park, please visit the website found here.