**UPDATE: The deadline for submissions for the "In Memory" display has been extended to July 31, 2021. For family members of Vietnam Veterans who'd like to submit an application for the ceremony in Washington D.C., the deadline is March 29, 2021.**

Spreading the healing legacy and the impact of the Vietnam War, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Wall, The Wall That Heals, and Mobile Education Center will be coming to Brighton Sept. 2 - 5, 2021. The Wall will be located at Carmichael Park, just behind City Hall (500 S. 4th Avenue), and will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,279 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

“I first learned of the program three years ago through a friend I served with at the V.A. Hospital,” Council Member Tim Watts said. “From that point, I knew I wanted Brighton to be able to see this replica of an important piece of history and sacrifice, right here in our community. I then reached out to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund while I was in Washington D.C. this past March to see how we could apply to be a part of the schedule. I am beyond thrilled that Brighton was chosen to be one of the stops for The Wall That Heals.”

 “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Brighton, Colorado to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall. We will work carefully with the host to provide a safe opportunity for the community to experience the healing and educational aspects of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers will be required to wear masks. Visitors will be encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing to safeguard the staff, volunteers and other visitors. 

“Nothing is more important to VVMF than the health and well-being of our Vietnam veterans and their families. We will work closely with the host to make certain that all health and safety protocols are met in order to provide the best visitor experience while keeping the safety of our staff, volunteers and visitors at top of mind,” said Knotts. 

The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer.  When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile Education Center telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American history. 

The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall. 

The mobile Education Center exhibit includes: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.

The 2021 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country. 

Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in nearly 700 U.S. communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at: www.thewallthatheals.org.

About VVMF:

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C. in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies and education materials. To learn more about VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.