MONROE -- With a procession of dozens of motorcycles, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall made it's journey from Rayville Wednesday evening.
It greeted giant flags hanging on the overpasses of Interstate 20, and rolled into the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum led by the Patriot Guard Riders.
Museum director Nell Calloway was one of those riding along on the motorcycles. While alongside veterans, she remembers the impact the wall made when it was last in Monroe two years ago, particularly on one veteran.
"The day it left, he looked at me with tears in his eyes and said 'Thank you so much. It's the first time in 40 years I felt like I could do something for the ones I left behind,'" she said.
The "Vietnam Traveling War Memorial" is a three-fifth scale model of the Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C. It's six feet tall and 300 feet long, showing the names thousands of soldiers that died during the war - including 133 names from north Louisiana.
"It does bring a lot back up for them but it also makes them feel like they're doing something for the guys whose names on the wall," Calloway said.
The wall will display in an exhibit called "Reflections of the Vietnam war."
It's open 24 hours with round the clock security until November 14th.
Calloway says along with saying thank you, this wall can help bring healing and closure to veterans.
"Being able to bring the wall here, I feel like this is something we can do for them," she said.
Here is a list of the events for the memorial wall this week:
Here is a list of the events for the memorial wall this week:
Thursday, November 8th:
Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be erected by Vietnam Veterans on Museum grounds.
The Wall is open 24 hours a day with security provided.
7:00 p.m. "A Night of Heroes Dinner" at The Kings Palace, North 18th Street and Hudson Lane, Monroe. Featuring Congressional Metal of Honor Recipient, Sammy Davis and Pat Waters, Grandson of Gen. George Patton.
Friday, November 9th:
Patriotic Parade begins at Monroe Regional Airport.
City and Parish school students will be represented at the parade and program that opens the Wall.
10:30 a.m. Ceremony opening the Wall featuring our special guest.
Sunday, November 11th:
1:00 p.m. Winners of the four 25-minute flights will fly in North American T-6G Texan aircraft.
3:00 p.m. "Missing Man Formation Fly-over" with four North American T-6G Texan aircraft; Veterans Day ceremony
4:30 p.m. Veterans Freedom Tree will be lighted
For more information, click here.
