Upcoming Nags Head Event Commemorating Vietnam Veterans

Images Supplied by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Outer Banks residents and visitors of all ages from Corolla to Hatteras Village enjoy countless ways to spend their time in this piece of Heaven we call home. Activity options run the gamut and celebrate our coastal heritage providing wholesome fun and new experiences and memories that last a lifetime. This year will be no exception, in fact it will be especially memorable as the Dare County Veterans Advisory Council will host for the first time here, ‘The Wall That Heals.’

This traveling three-quarter scale replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. journeys annually to nearly thirty communities across the United States. At this time ‘The Wall That Heals’ will be escorted by approximately 250 bikers and Jeeps to arrive into Dare County from the west, making its way through Manns Harbor, over the old Manns Harbor Bridge then through Manteo before it heads east where it will remain stationery at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head beginning Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 until Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. A special opening ceremony will occur Thursday morning Nov. 16 and from that point until its departure, its very existence will draw visitors to it for reflection, pause and peace as ‘The Wall That Heals’ has been known to help Vietnam Veterans feel a sense of healing.

The 53’ truck transports 140 panels featuring over 58,000 engraved names of service members who died while serving in Vietnam. It travels across the U.S. annually and transforms into a mobile Education Center once onsite. Displays include Vietnam War artifacts, videos etc. Group tours are available.

The 53’ trailer that transports the precious cargo, once emptied onsite, will transform into a mobile Education Center that will feature videos about the Vietnam War, artifacts from that period and items left at the Memorial in D.C., just to name a few, will be on display.

Once constructed it will be V-shaped, 375’ long and 7.5’ tall at its highest point. The 140 synthetic granite panels list more than 58,000 names of the brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. Because the ‘Wall’ is lit, visitors will be able to make rubbings of the names of their loved ones who died while serving in Vietnam at any hour, day or night.

Many who attend will likely relive that unforgettable period in our nation’s history, when so many were at odds about the war itself. Authentic teachable moments about true sacrifice will no doubt be front and center as well, and recollections of the shameful way our Veterans were treated once they came home will be in the hearts of many and hopefully forgiven.

What will it be like to stand before the ‘Wall’ and see our own reflection in this haunting work of art? Names of those who sacrificed their lives are engraved one after the other on the stunning masterpiece and standing in its presence will likely bring tears to many of us. Some Vietnam Veterans are hesitant to face their past, but the never-ending hope is that they will come; that they will feel comforted and that they will realize their extreme importance in our lives.

THE WALL THAT HEALS offers an opportunity for rubbings of loved one’s names who made the ultimate sacrifice. It is lit nightly allowing visitor access 24 hours and Veterans have described the powerful structure to have a healing effect on them.

Four decades had passed from the time a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran came home from his tour from what many refer to as “Hell.” It was a misty, dark night and as he walked to the original Memorial in Washington, D.C. his stride seemed almost robotic, perhaps due to dread. He searched the seemingly endless panels of names attempting to find the name of his best friend, but he could not. Thinking he might have missed it, he walked directly to the nearby ‘Vietnam Veterans Memorial Directory of Names.’ He was focused on one thing only. Suddenly, his eyes became fixed on a page in the huge book, then tears rolled down both of his cheeks. Asked if he was okay, he responded in a barely audible voice; silent for several minutes then asked if he had found his friend’s name, “No, it’s not there.” In essence, the aging soldier’s tears were tears of joy realizing that his buddy had not died in Vietnam after all. After believing for nearly four decades his closest friend during that tumultuous time in his life had perished, he now knew for sure that his ‘brother’ had also made it out alive.

Unlike other affairs that draw thousands of people, this exhibition will not permit any items to be sold on the premises. The surroundings will feel much like respected, hallowed ground. There will be no booths that offer T-shirts, food, beverages, or the like. ‘The Wall That Heals’ will be a memorable display that will conjure deep emotions and it will be presented in an intense atmosphere of respect and reverence.

The Veterans Advisory Council and Planning Committee members are extremely proud to host this event. It will remind our communities and our visitors of the deep gratitude Outer Bankers’ feel for our United States veterans. And perhaps ‘The Wall That Heals’ will give everyone a chance to embrace our Vietnam Veterans, many of whom will come from near and far, and ‘welcome’ them home. They are all heroes you know…every single one.

THE WALL THAT HEALS’ a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be located at the Soundside Event Site at 6800 South Croatan Hwy., Nags Head, N.C. Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2023 — Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023. Open 24 hours a day. Free admission.

For more information about how to volunteer or contribute see: DareNC.gov/Wall.

Also, Patty O’Sullivan, Dare County Veteran Service Officer/Event Organizer can be reached at 252-473-7749 (cell), 252-475-5604 (office) or by email: patricia.o’sullivan@darenc.gov.

Author: Marsha M. Brown