Press Releases | Apr, 22 2016
Honoring Vietnam Veterans and Their Families
When: Friday, April 22, 2016, 10:30 a.m.
What: Press Conference opening The Wall That Heals at the LBJ Presidential Library
Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War
The Wall That Heals is free, open 24-hours a day from April 22-28, 2016
Where: Plaza, LBJ Library, 2313 Red River St.
Who: Remarks by: Mark K. Updegrove, LBJ Library Director
Greg Fenves, President, The University of Texas at Austin
John Miterko, Vietnam Veterans of America, Texas State Council
Visuals: Color Guard Presentation, Combat Cross Ceremony, Taps
AUSTIN, TX - On Friday, April 22, 2016, the LBJ Presidential Library and The University of Texas at Austin will open The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with a mobile Education Center and Information Tent. The Wall That Heals is free and will be open 24-hours a day through April 28, 2016.
The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces during the Vietnam War and its walls bear the names of the 58,307 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Bringing The Wall to the Austin area allows the souls enshrined on the Memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings. It is anticipated that approximately 800 veterans, their families, and the public will visit each day.
Volunteers will be on hand to greet visitors, answer questions about The Wall, help find names engraved on the panels, and provide historical context about The Wall and the Vietnam War. Additionally, volunteers may present a lapel pin to veterans. The pin is provided by the U.S. Commemoration of the Vietnam War to thank, recognize, and honor Vietnam veterans.
At the press conference, members of the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans Color Guard will post the colors, the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans Honor Guard will participate in a Combat Cross Ceremony, and Taps will be played. Six men in combat uniform will march toward a sandbag already in place at the apex of The Wall. On command, they halt, turn, and face the sandbag. The center man places a rifle in the sandbag. The next man places a helmet on the rifle. The last man will place boots at the base of the sandbag. In formation, the men step back and salute the “cross.”
The Wall That Heals is one part of a Summit on the Vietnam War held at the LBJ Presidential Library April 26-28, 2016.
