KSPS Public Television and partner organizations will welcome The Wall That Heals to Mirabeau Meadows at Mirabeau Point Park in Spokane Valley, August 24-27. The Wall That Heals is a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., along with a mobile Education Center. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day and is free to the public. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 9am on Thursday, August 24. The event closes at 4pm on Sunday, August 27.
The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is one of the most visited memorials in Washington, D.C. with more than 5.6 million visitors each year. However, many Americans have not been able to visit what has become known to many as “The Wall.” The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the organization that built The Wall in 1982, wants to give all veterans and their family members all across America an opportunity to see the Memorial.
Volunteers Still Needed
Since the wall is open to visitors around the clock for the four days of its stay, nearly 100 volunteers are needed to staff shifts around the clock. Dozens have already signed up via the KSPS web site, but overnight volunteers are still needed. They will greet visitors, help locate names in The Wall directory, guide visitors to locations on The Wall, listen to a story or lend a shoulder when needed. Fairchild Air Force Base will provide Airmen for set-up and take-down of the Wall. More information: www.ksps.org/thewallthatheals
Help from Spokane Vet Center
The Wall That Heals will be strategically located across the street from the Spokane Vet Center whose clinicians specialize in working with combat Veterans and their families. Its staff will be ready with support resources for local combat Veterans and family members as they visit the Wall.
Escorting The Wall That Heals Through Spokane
Between 10am and 11am on Wednesday, August 23, the large Mobile Education Center tractor/trailer rig (which also carries The Wall That Heals) will make its way through downtown Spokane and east to Mirabeau Meadows, escorted by Spokane County Sheriff’s deputies, other regional law enforcement officers, and members of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association. Residents are encouraged to watch it drive past. Visit www.ksps.org/thewallthatheals for the schedule.
Media Briefing
Media members are invited to attend a briefing on Wed August 23, 11am at Mirabeau Meadows in Spokane Valley, immediately following the escort to the park. VVMF staff will be there to take questions.
Recognizing Those from Our Region who Lost Their Lives
253 service members from eastern Washington and northern Idaho lost their lives during the Vietnam War. Each will be recognized by name following the opening ceremony at 9am on August 24th, and a field of small flags representing each casualty will be placed on the park grounds. Visitors will be able to see many of their pictures on display at the Mobile Education Center.
Group Tours Available
Students and community groups are encouraged to come for tours of The Wall That Heals. Contact Shawn Claypool at KSPS (shawnc@ksps.org; 509-443-7724) to reserve a spot on the tour schedule.
10-Part Documentary Series Coming to KSPS Public Television in September
KSPS will air a 10-part historical documentary series produced by acclaimed documentarians Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, THE VIETNAM WAR, premiering Sunday, September 17. More information about the documentary series: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/films/vietnam
Documentary Preview Screenings
Spokane County Library District will provide preview screenings of the documentary. More information and schedule: http://www.ksps.org/community/thevietnamwarproject/screenings/
EWU Forums on The Vietnam War’s Impact in Our Region
Eastern Washington University is developing three public forums on the subject of The Vietnam War. The first was held in May with the others scheduled for early fall. More information about the forums: http://www.ksps.org/community/thevietnamwarproject/forums/
Thank You!
The Wall That Heals in Spokane Valley is made possible thanks to the generous support of a growing number of partner organizations, including:
Eastern Washington University City of Spokane Valley MacKay Manufacturing IRS Environmental A grant from WETA Global Credit Union | Walker’s Construction Power City Electric Uncle Sam’s Flag and Gift American On-Site Services Spokane Veteran's Center | Vietnam Veteran's Association Combat Vet Riders Fairchild Air Force Base Airmen |
The 2017 national The Wall That Heals tour is hauled through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) and generously sponsored by: USAA, PBS, and GEICO.
About THE VIETNAM WAR documentary series:
THE VIETNAM WAR is a production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington D.C. Directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick. Written by Geoffrey C.Ward. Produced by Sarah Botstein, Lynn Novick and Ken Burns.
These Funders have made national production of THE VIETNAM WAR possible:
Bank of America; Corporation for Public Broadcasting; PBS; David H. Koch; Blavatnik Family Foundation; Park Foundation; The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; National Endowment for the Humanities; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Ford Foundation Just Films; Rockefeller Brothers Fund; and Members of The Better Angels Society:
Jonathan & Jeannie Lavine, Diane & Hal Brierley, Amy & David Abrams, John & Catherine Debs, Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, The Montrone Family, Lynda & Stewart Resnick, The Golkin Family Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, The Roger & Rosemary Enrico Foundation, Richard S. & Donna L. Strong Foundation, Bonnie & Tom McCloskey, Barbara K. & Cyrus B. Sweet III, The Lavender Butterfly Fund
Support for the KSPS broadcast is provided by Eastern Washington University, MacKay Manufacturing, IRS Environmental, a grant from WETA, Northern Quest Casino and Abba’s Catholic Bookstores.