The phalanx of motorcycles roared down U.S. 31 on Tuesday, as dozens of riders toted American flags and honked at spectators watching from the side of the road.
They were there to escort The Wall That Heals from the southside of Indianapolis to Franklin. Inside a large semi trailer, 140 synthetic granite panels etched with the more than 58,000 names of those who died in the Vietnam War were destined for the county fairgrounds.
The touring replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial had attracted increased attention from the community since it was announced that Franklin would host it. Now, the exhibit had arrived.
“It’s great to see. There are a lot more people here than I ever thought there would be,” said Kathy Ballou, chair of The Wall That Heals Franklin 2021, the nonprofit that brought the wall to Johnson County.
Tuesday marked the beginning of an emotional and exciting week for veterans, local residents and anyone who had been touched by the Vietnam War. The Wall That Heals is being assembled today, and will open to the public once it is built, staying open 24 hours a day until Sunday.
The experience is one that everyone in the community — not just Vietnam War veterans — can take much away from, said Callie Wright, site manager for The Wall That Heals in Franklin.
“Part of the mission is to educate the local community on the Vietnam War and that era. This offers us an incredible opportunity to do that in communities,” Wright said. “We can share pictures of men who served in Vietnam. We can talk with them about their experience and their stories. That’s really where the healing comes in.”
Shortly after noon on Tuesday, semi-trailers emblazoned with The Wall That Heals logo pulled into Christ United Methodist Church on the southside of Indianapolis to rendezvous with their motorcycle escort.
The trucks had come from Columbus, Ohio, where The Wall That Heals had been on display at the National Veterans Memorial & Museum over the Memorial Day weekend. A huge group of veterans had come out to serve to guide the exhibit into Johnson County, something that the motorcycle community had made a priority, Wright said.
“This shows that people are dedicated to honoring Vietnam veterans, and veterans in general,” Wright said. “This offers them the opportunity to do this all year long, and say thank you, and give the welcome home that Vietnam veterans didn’t get but deserve.”
Steve Mathews watched the gathered riders intently. A member of Christ United Methodist Church, he had served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Having The Wall That Heals gather at his church was special.
“I’ve got some friends who are on there,” he said. “It’s great they’re doing something like this. I remember when I first came back from Vietnam, you just didn’t want to talk about it. So this is nice.”
The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that travels to communities around the country. Franklin is one of 26 communities chosen to host The Wall That Heals tour this year, and the only one in Indiana.
The significance of The Wall That Heals is to ensure everyone can experience the memorial, no matter where they are, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which organizes the exhibit as well as the memorial in Washington D.C.
“We realize that not everyone has come to D.C., or gets the opportunity to come to D.C. With The Wall That Heals, we can bring it all around to local communities,” Wright said.
Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk toward the apex, just like the design of the memorial in Washington D.C. Two paper directories list the names found on the Wall alphabetically. Visitors to the exhibit can do name rubbings of individual service members listed on The Wall, by day of casualty.
Along with the wall, a mobile education center helps teach about the Vietnam War and those who sacrificed for it. The Hometown Heroes exhibit includes photos of service members on The Wall who list their home of record from Johnson County and around central Indiana.
Jerry Bristow, another member of Christ United Methodist Church and a Vietnam War veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps, helped organize water and snacks for the riders who arrived at the church.
He plans to attend the exhibit in Franklin later this week.
“Me and my whole family will be there to see it. I have a couple of good buddies of mine who lost their lives over there. It’ll be kind of special for me,” he said.
Once The Wall That Heals is constructed today, it will open to the public. The wall will feature lights and be open around the clock to allow for those who want to visit when the exhibit is less crowded, offering a more private experience.
Organizers have planned a series of special events during the local run of The Wall That Heals, including a dedication ceremony Thursday, a candlelight vigil on Friday night and an honors ceremony Saturday by American Legion Post 205.
The exhibit is expected to attract thousands of people, including many who have indicated they’ll be coming from other parts of Indiana or regions of the country, Ballou said.
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The Wall That Heals
What: A 3/4 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., which travels to communities throughout the country with a mobile education center to pay tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War.
When: Today through Sunday, 2021.
Where: Johnson County fairgrounds, Franklin
Schedule:
Wednesday
8:30 a.m.: Setup of The Wall That Heals begins
6 p.m.: Volunteer training
Thursday
9 a.m.: The Wall That Heals dedication ceremony; remains open 24 daily for visitors.
Friday
9:30 p.m.: Candlelight vigil
Saturday
1:30 p.m.: Honors ceremony
Sunday
2 p.m.: The Wall That Heals closes; breakdown of the exhibit starts.
Information: wall-that-heals-franklin-2021.com
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