ALBANY – To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will make a stop at Washington Park this weekend.
Opening ceremonies are on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. and the names of the fallen will be read continuously until 6 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 19.
The memorial will be at the east side of Washington Park near the intersection of Willett and Hudson streets. It will be open to the public 24 hours a day.
The Traveling Wall is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. It stands six-foot tall at the center and covers nearly 300 feet from end to end. It makes stops across the country for people who cannot make it to Washington DC.
“The Memorial’s last stop in Albany was 28 years ago,” said Joe Pollicino, president of the Tri-County Council Vietnam Era Veterans, the local non-profit that coordinated the memorial’s visit. “In commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, we are proud to recognize the service and sacrifice of our fellow veterans by having the Traveling Wall return.”
Anyone wishing to volunteer in reading the names or to help with other dailiy activities can visit www.tccvev.com to register.
“It’s a way to honor the sacrifices of veterans and their families, and I look forward to working with our local veterans organizations as we remember and reflect on their service,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
For more information or to donate to the Memorial visit, contact TCCVEV at 518-465-6829 or mail to: Tri County Council Vietnam Era Veterans, PO Box 11100, Albany, NY 12211.
