‘The Wall That Heals’ Vietnam War Memorial to Appear in New Milford

The Wall That Heals is coming to New Milford and each of the 58,000 names on this traveling Vietnam War Memorial has a story.

The Wall That Heals is a 250 foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which rests in our Nation's Capital and is the most visited of all memorials with 4 million visitors each year. From the website newmilfordevents.com. comes the announcement that the traveling replica, The Wall That Heals will arrive in New Milford at Young's Field this Wednesday, October 26 around 11:30am. It will be escorted by the CT Patriots Guard and will be open and free to the public from Thursday, October 27 - 30.

I can not even imagine what it must have like fighting in jungle terrain layered with booby traps, intense heat, and torrents of rain, and in many cases ,watching your friends and comrades being blown to bits. Back in 1971, my birthday February 26, was chosen as #89 in the Vietnam draft. I was scared to death when we were bused from Rochester, NY to Buffalo to take our army physicals. We were told to strip down to our underwear and get in line. When it came time for the doctors to get a blood sample, they had a difficult time locating a vein in my arm, so they told me to move on. One month later I received a medical deferment excusing me from service. That entire process was repeated 6 months later with the same result. I often wonder what direction my life would have taken if I had passed that physical.

According to uswings.com, 70% of the men who fought in Vietnam were volunteers and 91% of all men who fought said they were glad they did. The Wall That Heals honors the more than 3 million Americans who served during the war. Every single name of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice are transcribed on the wall. The Wall That Heals will be open 24 hours a day while it sits on Young's Field in New Milford.

God Bless America!