The Wall That Heals, a travelling Vietnam War memorial is coming to Audubon Labor Day weekend. Opening ceremonies will be held on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m. and the wall will be open for viewing, 24 hours per day, through 6:30 p.m. on Monday Sept. 2.
Prior to even opening, the display will garner more attention and appreciation, as the Patriot Guard Riders will escort the truck carrying the Wall, through Audubon County.
According to Margee Shaffer of Audubon County Tourism, the group spearheading the effort to bring the Wall to town, the caravan will start in Brayton.
“Old Glory Park, in Brayton, is the staging area for the escort to Audubon. The plan is to meet at 11 a.m. with safety instruction at 11:15 and departure at 11:30,” she said. “The escort will go to Exira where the Exira Fire Department will meet them and parade past the middle school and around the square in Exira. The Audubon Fire Department will meet the caravan near Hamlin and continue north. The escort will go by the west side of the elementary school before heading back to Market Street, then up Broadway to the City Park, arriving around noon.”
Shaffer said that it would take about three hours to put the wall up and that while people could see the display on Thursday night, information and visitor assistance begins on Friday morning at 8 a.m.
In addition to the opening ceremony, there will be daily “Awakening” ceremonies at 7 a.m., a ceremony at 12 Noon on Sat. Aug. 31 and a closing ceremony on Monday, Sept. 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Shaffer added that the organizing committee is still seeking donations and volunteers to aid with the event.
