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‘The Wall That Heals’ to visit Whiteville April 20–28; organizers ask county residents for volunteers and support
Summary
Organizers told the Columbus County commissioners that a three‑quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be displayed in Whiteville April 20–28 with a mobile education center, ceremonies including an Agent Orange remembrance, and round‑the‑clock public access while on site.
Representatives for the Veterans Memorial Park of America told the Columbus County Board on March 17 that the traveling exhibit known as “The Wall That Heals” will be on display in Whiteville from April 20 through April 28 and urged county residents to attend and volunteer.
Organizer Angela Norris told the board the exhibit is a three‑quarter replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and that Columbus County was selected from more than 100 applications to host the tour stop. Norris said the display includes a mobile education center with memorabilia and a scrolling display of the names on the Vietnam Memorial; she recited the total of 58,281 names that will be represented in the exhibit’s educational material.
Norris outlined planned events: the wall will be escorted through downtown Whiteville on Tuesday of the installation week (expected during lunchtime) in a motorcycle escort; the wall will be open to the public 24 hours a day while set up and will close at 2 p.m. on Sunday for dismantling. A welcome home ceremony is scheduled the evening after installation; an Agent Orange remembrance will take place at sunset on Friday; and schools and groups will be able to schedule private tours.
Norris said volunteers are needed for setup (30–40 volunteers were requested for the morning of the installation) and encouraged residents to bring children and young people to tour the wall and the education center. She emphasized the emotional importance of the visit for Vietnam veterans and Gold Star families and discouraged eating, drinking, smoking, or bringing pets near the wall while ceremonies are underway; she said the organization expects a large public turnout.
Ending: Organizers asked county residents to turn out for ceremonies and to help with setup and volunteer duties; the board heard the presentation as an informational item and no formal county funding decision was made during the meeting.
