Wednesday marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War, and local American Legion post 639 is presenting a unique chance to honor veterans with the display of The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
“We’re hoping to get, not only our veteran support from here, we’re hoping get our local community in behind them, just to honor our Vietnam veterans who weren’t treated well by the public when they returned. “
That’s Mike Goforth, commander at post 639, where months of preparation have gone into bringing the 300-foot long, six-foot tall replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Memorial to the Ozarks.
The memorial is operated by the VVB, or Vietnam and all Veterans of Brevard, which is located in Brevard County, Florida.
Commander Goforth hopes to see a large community turnout Wednesday as the wall passes through Springfield on its way to the American Legion. It will be escorted into the city by roughly 300 motorcyclists including the American Legion Riders, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association and Rolling Thunder. Local police and officials from the Missouri State Highway Patrol will also be escorting the monument as it moves from southern Missouri into Springfield.
The wall will be arriving in Springfield around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, travelling west on US 60, taking West Bypass North, Battlefield East, and then traveling north up Scenic to the American Legion.
The memorial will open this weekend with a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, and remain open until 6 p.m. Sunday. Viewing of the wall is free.