“The Wall That Heals” at the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in 2016.
“The Wall That Heals,” a one-half replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., is coming to Haverhill Wednesday, June 14 and will be assembled at Haverhill High School.
The Haverhill Veterans Council says The Wall That Heals will be escorted along Interstate 495 by Massachusetts State Police and the Veteran’s Motorcycle Club, Rolling Thunder, and then welcomed by flag-waving residents lining Monument Street. The exhibit opens officially the next day, Thursday, June 15, at 10:30 a.m. This is the only appearance of the exhibit in Massachusetts or New Hampshire this year. It will remain open to the public 24-hours-a-day until Sunday, June 18, Father’s Day.
The local Rolling Thunder chapters visit the Vietnam War Memorial every year on Veterans Day. Since June 14th is Flag Day, local residence will be lining Monument Street waving flags to honor the presence in our community.
The Wall That Heals will be supported by at least a hundred volunteers that will accompany the wall 24 hours a day while it is in our community. An 18-wheeler truck will have three large television screens explaining the significance of the wall. Families and friends may bring pictures of their loved ones whose names are on the wall and they will be displayed on one of the large format screens. Another will list all the people who have a birthday on that day. The third will portray why the wall is here.
The Haverhill Veterans Council is seeking sponsorships and donations from businesses and the public. Those interested in donating may email [email protected] or call Richard Borghi at 978-809-8036.
The Haverhill Veterans Council is comprised of VFW Post 29 Lorraine Post; Korean War Veterans, Massachusetts Chapter 294; AMVETS, Post 147; Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Hannah Dustin, Chapter 20; Marine Corps League, Captain William D. Glynn Detachment #128; American Legion Post 4; Haverhill Veteran Service Officer Michael Ingham; and American Legion, Nathan M. Webster Post 248.