Citizens, veterans greet Vietnam Memorial Wall replica as it rolls into town

Flags and fanfare greeted the Vietnam Memorial Wall replica as it arrived in Garland, Texas on Tuesday. 

The Vietnam Memorial Wall replica, nicknamed ‘The Wall That Heals,’ is a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the memorial in Washington D.C. that stops in cities across America, allowing veterans, children, and those looking to simply pay their respects, the opportunity to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 

Many residents of Garland and the surrounding areas gathered along a stretch of road, flags waving, to salute the wall as it was hauled to its next destination at Audubon Park.  

“I just wanted to be able to see it and salute it as it goes by,” said Garland resident Lanny Jones to CBS DFW News.

“It is the least that we can do,” added Jim Meehan, a member of the Garland Elks Lodge #1984. Lodge. “I consider it a milestone to have it in town. Our youth and our veterans can appreciate the situation.”​

Set up by volunteers, “The Wall That Heals” opened for visitors Thursday and will remain open 24 hours a day through Sunday, March 1st in Audubon Park at 342 W. Oates Road. 

“There was a lot of turmoil in the country at that time,” said Mayor Scott LeMay, who was among the crowd welcoming the wall into town. 

 “Veterans who came home were not treated with the respect that they deserved… so it’s never too late. It’ s never too late to thank them. It’s never too late to show them our appreciation.”​

“Those names mean sacrifice, they volunteered like I did,” shared veteran Kevin Thomas. “They went over there and gave the ultimate sacrifice.”​