A three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu for a six-day exhibition starting Jan. 14.
The Wall That Heals has been displayed in more than 800 communities throughout the country. With the names of more than 58,000 service members killed during the Vietnam War etched on the wall, the exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the armed forces during the war.
The Wall That Heals is a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C., and includes the largest replica that travels the country.
“After 30 years, displaying in communities throughout the United States, few communities have worked as hard as Kapolei to host The Wall That Heals,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Our events in Hilo and Maui were incredible and we’re excited to bring the exhibit to Oahu.”
The replica, which was made in 1996, is 375 feet long and comprises 140 name panels made of synthetic granite.
Like the original memorial, The Wall That Heals is erected in a chevron shape and visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service members’ names on The Wall. The names are listed in order of date of casualty and alphabetically on each day.
This will mark the first time the memorial replica will be exhibited on O’ahu.
“In February 2024, we knew we had to help bring The Wall to Oahu, home to many veterans and families that share in that sense of loss. Hawaii, a place where many service members and refugees began new chapters, has a special role in this history,” said Sue Bauer, who helped spearhead the event. ”Now is the time to honor and remember those lost in the war, after the war and those who continue to share their stories. We strive to leave no one behind.”
The Wall That Heals will be displayed and open for 24 hours each day at the University of Hawaii-West O’ahu in Kapolei campus until 2 p.m. Jan. 18.
Below is a schedule of events for the exhibit:
Jan.14
10 - 11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony
5:50 p.m. – Taps
Jan.15
5 - 6 p.m. – Welcome Home Ceremony
Jan.17
6:30 - 7:30 p.m. – Light the Night event
Jan.18
5:49 p.m. – Taps
Jan.19
1:30 - 2:30p.m. – Closing Ceremony