WAKE FOREST, N.C. -- The Wall That Heals is in Wake Forest, now through this weekend, giving Vietnam War veterans and their loved ones a moment to reflect, heal, and support those who didn't survive the war.
- The wall is located at E. Carroll Joyner Park
- It's a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
- 58,318 names are on the wall
Harold Williams is a Vietnam War veteran who visited The Wall That Heals Thursday morning.
"Without the service of a few, many wouldn't be able to appreciate the freedoms that they have here in this great country," Williams said. "I didn't look for no names, because some things, I feel, is best not known."
Williams is one of hundreds of veterans who will visit the wall at E. Carroll Joyner Park. The wall is a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Some who visit look for their fallen brothers in arms or family members. Others say just seeing the wall from a distance is all they need.
"We consider this area sacred ground," said Vietnam War veteran and member of the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation David Martin. "For the older veterans, such as myself, you'll see some of the guys will come up, and they'll stand down out of the side. They won't come to the wall. They just, it brings back memories they just don't want to have."
58,318 names are on the wall. When visiting it, one can't help but feel the gravity of the cost of war, and the sacrifices made for this country.
"I feel a little bit of gratitude that it's here, and for the folks who made the ultimate sacrifice," wall visitor Jim Harris said.
"Vietnam veterans were not accepted coming back," Martin said. "It was not a very popular war. And as veterans now, we are ensuring that any service member coming back is appreciated, understood, taken care of. So that's our job. You know? We're still serving."
"This makes coming home even better, because I could've been on that wall," Williams said.
The Wall That Heals will be on display 24 hours a day through Sunday.