Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the founders of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is bringing its ¾ traveling replica of the national monument to the Iron Range next week.
The Wall That Heals will arrive in Eveleth at 1 pm June 21st and will travel through multiple Iron Range communities, led by a local motorcycle escort, before reaching its final destination for the week: the Chisholm Football Field. It will take a full day (June 22nd) to be erected but will fully open to the public at 12 am June 23rd and will stay open 24 hours a day until it closes at 2 pm June 26th.
United Way of Northeastern Minnesota (UWNEMN)’s United for Veterans committee originally applied to host The Wall in Chisholm in 2020, but the arrival was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, led by a steering committee of local veterans, UWNEMN and United for Veterans have partnered with community leaders across the region to make The Wall’s stay in Chisholm as meaningful as possible.
The week-long tribute to local Vietnam veterans kicks off Monday June 20th with a free community concert: The Fabulous Armadillos presents “What’s Going On? Songs from the Vietnam Era.” This family-friendly experience combines live music as well as firsthand accounts from Vietnam veterans; the show routinely sells out venues across the Midwest but is being offered at no charge June 20th at the Hibbing High School Auditorium. No RSVP or registration is required; doors open at 5:30 pm, and the concert begins at 6:30 pm.
“Committee members who have seen this show felt it would be the perfect way to set the stage for The Wall’s arrival,” said UWNEMN Executive Director Erin Shay. “We are so thankful for the support of sponsors to make this highly sought after concert free and open to the public for our local audience!”
The following day, local motorcycle riders are invited to escort The Wall That Heals across the Iron Range. The public is invited to watch the escort and welcome The Wall to the Iron Range. Viewing locations have been arranged in Cherry, Chisholm, Eveleth, Gilbert, Hibbing, Mt. Iron, and Virginia, where American flags will be available for onlookers. Click HERE the full escort route and list of viewing locations.
The Wall That Heals is under construction June 22nd at the Chisholm Football Field and will open to the public at 12 am Thursday June 23rd. From the moment it opens, The Wall will be fully staffed by volunteers 24 hours a day until it closes at 2 pm Sunday June 26th.
“It was a tremendous undertaking to keep The Wall open so people can come at any hour– we’ve been told Vietnam veterans in particular usually prefer to come late in the evening to be alone with their thoughts at The Wall,” said UWNEMN Community Impact Coordinator Michelle Lampton. “We are incredibly grateful for the volunteers that have signed up to help to make this possible.”
Once The Wall is open to the public, sunset Taps will be played at 6 pm each night by a different musician.
An opening ceremony is scheduled for 11 am Thursday June 23rd at the Chisholm Football Field. A flyover is tentatively scheduled for this time.
An honor ceremony is scheduled for 10 am Saturday June 25th at the Chisholm Football Field. The program will feature the Mid Range Honor Guard, Bois Forte Black Eagle Drum, local Vietnam veterans reading the Honor Roll (105 names of local soldiers whose names are on The Wall That Heals), former Special Forces Green Beret veteran of three tours with MACV-SOG (the Vietnam War’s covert operations unit) Maj. John Plaster, a 21-rifle salute, and more.
A brief closing ceremony is scheduled for 2 pm Sunday June 26th at the Chisholm Football Field. After the ceremony, deconstruction of The Wall will begin.
Organizers purposely kept activities while The Wall is in Chisholm to a minimum.
“The focus is meant to be kept on The Wall and what it means,” Lampton said.
In addition to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall replica, The Wall That Heals tour includes a resource tent, local In Memory program (featuring the names and photos of local Vietnam veterans who returned home from war but have since passed away), and a Mobile Education Center.
Local volunteers are still needed at this time, especially for deconstruction. To sign up to volunteer, learn more about the week’s events, and plan your visit to The Wall, click HERE.