Traveling Memorial Scheduled to Visit Okaloosa County
June 17-20, 2010
The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida (HMNF) will host The Wall That Heals, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in Fort Walton Beach from June 17-20, 2010.
Located at the Northwest Florida Fairgrounds, the exhibition will feature the dramatic replica- stretching nearly 250 feet in total length-as well as an Information Center and Traveling Museum displaying memorabilia left at the Wall in Washington, D.C.
UWF students Sara Richardson of Fort Walton Beach and Michael Weech of Niceville interview Pace resident and WWII vet Larry Holmes. Local students are conducting interviews with local veterans of WWII, Korea and Vietnam for a multi-generational oral history project related to the museum’s efforts to host the Vietnam Veterans Wall and Traveling Museum in 2010.Special activities planned include: Opening ceremonies on Wednesday, June 16 at 4 p.m. with VIP and veterans’ reception; onsite lecture series with guest historians and scholars; reading of the names; special guided tours; the Veterans’ Heritage Oral History Project; and closing ceremonies on Sunday, June 20 (Father’s Day).
The Wall is one of a series of exhibits, education programs and events planned by the HMNF in honor of the 75th Anniversary of Eglin Air Force Base in 2010.
The Wall exhibition is organized by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the organization charged with preserving The Wall in Washington, D.C. and its vast legacy. National sponsors of the tour include Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Trust, Federal Express, Geico, New Century Transportation, Harley-Davidson Foundation and Target Corporation.
Local community sponsors include:
- Air Force Association (Eglin Chapter)
- Carriage Hills Realty
- C.H. “Bull” Rigdon Fairgrounds
- City of Fort Walton Beach
- Cox Communications
- Cumulus Broadcasting
- Destin Interactive, Inc.
- Eglin Federal Credit Union
- Emerald Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Emerald Coast Detachment #915 Marine Corps League
- Emerald Coast Military Affairs Council, Inc.
- ERA American Realty
- Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
- Heritage Cycles Harley-Davidson of FWB
- Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
- Image Printing
- InDyne, Inc.
- Jacobs Technology
- Joseph and Joann Pascarella
- L3 Communications
- Laura Roesch, CPA, PLLC
- Lee Gouthro
- Magnolia Grill Restaurant
- Niceville United Methodist Church
- Niceville Valparaiso Tea Party
- Northwest Florida Daily News
- Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS)
- Okaloosa County
- Okaloosa County Democrats
- Okaloosa County Republican Executive Committee
- Phillip and Frances Hoge
- Pioneer Technologies Corporation
- Snap On Industrial
- Starbucks
- Tybrin
- Waste Management Inc. of Florida
- William and Inez Hall
- Woody’s Hog Heaven
The Wall That Heals will be open 24 hours a day beginning on Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 7 a.m. There is no charge for admission.
