The Wall that Heals, Vietnam Veterans memorial replica, is coming to American Canyon
For 30 years, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation (VVMF) has travelled across the country with a replica of the memorial found in DC. This October, the city of American Canyon will host the wall for 5 days, bringing in visitors from all of Northern California.
The wall itself honors over 3 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War. On its surface are the names of every brave man and woman who died in Vietnam. The wall remembers their sacrifice and gives those who visit an opportunity to heal and to learn.
In addition to the wall, the event will include the Hometown Heroes display, giving Californians a chance to celebrate veterans in their communities. Residents have the opportunity to submit photos of family members who served in Vietnam as well, as part of the VVMF’s effort to put a face to each name inscribed on the wall in Washington, D.C.
In American Canyon, the event supports the nearly 6,000 veterans who reside in Napa County. During 2024, approximately 200,000 people visited the moving memorial nationwide, across 29 different cities. This year, American Canyon is organizing buses to veterans’ homes and to schools across the county to make sure the site is accessible to those who may not otherwise be able to visit.
An event of this size needs a community behind it. Jeffery Freed, American Canyon’s Recreational Coordinator, is in charge of organizing the volunteer positions that make displaying this memorial possible. According to Freed, it is typically recommended that cities have about 180 volunteers to properly cover the event, which is no easy feat. This can include everything from greeting and directing guests, maintaining ADA accessibility, and fully setting up and taking down the exhibit. Freed mentioned that the event was also a great opportunity for students at ACHS to get the volunteer hours they need to graduate. Together, the community will be responsible for inevitably bringing this great memorial to life.
From volunteers to city officials, everyone is doing their part in welcoming The Wall that Heals to Napa County. In the words of U.S. Navy veteran and American Canyon Mayor Pierre Washington,
“This powerful memorial serves as a moving tribute to the brave men and women who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. Hosting the wall allows our community to reflect, remember, and express our deepest gratitude to those who answered the call of duty.
It’s not just an exhibit, it’s a place of healing for veterans, their families and all who visit.”
“We are humbled to welcome it to American Canyon and proud to stand with our Vietnam veterans honoring their courage, service and legacy.”
For more information about the event, and for ways to volunteer, go to https://www.americancanyon.gov/The-Wall-That-Heals.
Also, here’s a video glimpse of The Wall that Heals from the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Foundation.
