Gibsonburg: Village to host Vietnam memorial wall

By: 
Staff Writer

A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will pay a visit to the Village of Gibsonburg Aug. 31 to Sept. 3 at Williams Park, E. Stone Street.
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C., will be open 24/7 during the four-day visit and free to the public, said Marc Glotzbecker, village administrator.
He said the replica honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
“Gibsonburg has an incredible history of honoring those who serve our country. The Veterans Memorial, Northcoast Veterans Museum, Public Safety Service Memorial and the Purple Heart Village Designation are all held in very high regard by the community. It is an absolute honor and privilege for the Village of Gibsonburg to partner with the Sandusky County Commissioners, Sandusky County Visitors Bureau, Gibsonburg School District, Sandusky County Communities Foundation, American Legion, and VFW to bring The Wall That Heals to our area,” Glotzbecker said.
The Wall That Heals is transported across the country in a 53-foot trailer that, when parked, opens to show exhibits that line its sides and tell the story of the war and the divisiveness it caused in the U.S.
The mobile education center includes photo displays of service members whose names are on the wall with their home of record within the area of a visit as well as photo displays of local veterans who returned home and later died. A map of Vietnam and chronological overview of the war are also included in the education center.
The replica of the wall is 375 feet long and stands 7 ½ feet high at its tallest point.
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Gibsonburg, Ohio to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,” Jim Knotts, president and chief executive officer of VVMF, said. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”
The 2023 tour of The Wall That Heals is sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truck Carriers Association, the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon the exhibit is able to travel across the country.
Local sponsors are the Village of Gibsonburg, Sandusky County commissioners, Sandusky County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Gibsonburg School District, American Legion and VFW.

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