Traveling Vietnam Memorial Coming to Carteret

Carteret, NJ - The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Memorial Wall will be visiting Carteret from April 23 through May 1.

This will be a special 4-day exhibit open for display around the clock at the Carteret Park. It opens at 3 p.m. on April 28, and closes at 3 p.m. on May 1.

The Traveling Vietnam Wall is an 80% replica size of the original monument in Washington, D.C. Across its 360-foot length, the Wall bears the names of all 58,307 U.S. Military personnel who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. The Wall stands 8-feet tall at its apex. The wall begins small, rises to a peak, and then tapers off small again.

An honor escort is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m. Riders from several veteran organizations will escort the Wall from NJ Turnpike Exit-12 around town and then to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Carteret Park. There will be an opening ceremony on Thursday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m.

A Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Ceremony will take place Saturday, April 30, starting at 3 p.m. and will feature a day-long tribute of activities. There will be a special performance by the elite Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, including rifle spins and exchanges. There will also be a fixed-wing aircraft fly over. A special candlelight vigil will be held at 8 p.m. to remember those who sacrificed their lives and to honor those who fought in the Vietnam War. All military veterans and U.S. military service personnel and their families are encouraged to participate in the ceremony.

The Vietnam Traveling Wall is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Carteret during that period. If the park's parking area is full, there will be shuttles from the: Carteret Public Library (100 Cooke Avenue and the Carteret VFW Post 2314 (289 Pershing Avenue). Shuttles will run from 2:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, and are ADA accessible.

The exhibit will be open to the general public free of charge.

Photo: Vietnam Memorial/Wikimedia Commons