A travelling memorial for the Vietnam War has returned to Brevard County.
- Traveling Wall is a 300-foot replica of the Vietnam Memorial
- Travels the east coast each year
- At Wickham Park in Melbourne through May 7
Vietnam veteran Tommy Blackwell served in the war with his friend. He remembers his friend and comrade’s death like it was yesterday.
“Cecile Eugene Little, he was 24 years old,” Blackwell remembers, “He left behind a wife and two young daughters.”
While those memories will always remain with Blackwell, he and other veterans have a place to visit fallen veterans' memories each year.
The “Traveling Wall” memorial is a 300-foot replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.
Constructed more than 10 years ago, the wall travels across the east coast each year, spending a week in Melbourne.
“This is the first step in the healing process for veterans' families that may have lost a husband or father or a dad. It’s a very emotional place for a week,” Wall Manager and Reunion Chairman Richard Russo said.
While the wall only spends a week in Melbourne, veterans said it’s something they’re very proud of. They hope the wall will educate the next generation.
“Before we are all gone, we would like people to know war isn’t a good thing, but you don’t blame the warriors. They did what they had to do. I answered a call,” Blackwell said.
It officially opened to the public in Melbourne at Wickham Park on Monday. You’ll be able to visit the memorial through May 7.