Wall That Heals exhibit that honors Vietnam War vets comes to Wake Forest

A traveling exhibit that honors military veterans who served, and in some instances died, during the Vietnam War came to Wake Forest Tuesday as dozens of well-wishers lined the street to get a glimpse of a motorcade that was part of the memorial procession.

The Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation is hosting the Wall That Heals tour, which is traveling to nearly 40 communities this year. The traveling wall is a replica of part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that serves as a permanent fixture to honor military vets who served during the conflict in Southeast Asia.

According to officials in Wake Forest, their town is the only municipality in North Carolina to host the traveling memorial, which was created to pay tribute to the more than 3 million U.S. military members who served during the Vietnam War.

The exhibit also includes the names of more than 58,000 veterans who were killed during the conflict, which began in November 1955 and lasted until April 1975.

E. Carroll Joyner Park, at 701 Harris Road, will host the memorial tour from Oct. 18 to Oct. 21, and the exhibit is open 24 hours a day.

Bill Crabtree, a spokesman for Wake Forest, said the town is honored to have the exhibit.

"With it coming to Wake Forest, it's an opportunity for people not only in ths area but throughout our state to honor the 58,000 men and woman (whose names) are on that wall," he said.

Officials are expected to erect the wall at 8 a.m on Wednesday, and it will open a day later to visitors.