Vietnam Wall replica arrives today in Perryville

The following story has been changed to correct Gen. Frank Grass's status in the military.

What started off as a discussion about bringing a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Perryville, Missouri, has turned into a full-fledged event featuring school tours, a candlelight vigil and an address by Gen. Frank Grass, a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Wall That Heals, which is half the size of the national memorial in Washington, D.C., arrives today and stays until Saturday. That day, Grass will speak at a local ceremony, two days before he's scheduled to appear on "The Late Show with David Letterman."

"Everything has just fallen in place, like it was heaven-sent," event coordinator Mike Lundy said.

The wall is coming from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington and all money generated from its visits goes to support the memorial. Bikers on the Square, which is hosting an event June 21, was the first organization that offered to help pay to bring the wall to town.

The exterior sides of the trailer that carries the Wall That Heals open to become a mobile museum. Information cases display photos of service members whose names are found on the wall, along with letters and memorabilia left at the wall in Washington. The museum also includes a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict there, which raged from the mid-1950s to 1975.

The wall and exhibit will be at the Perryville Soccer Complex just off the U.S. Highway 51 Bypass between St. Joseph Street and U.S. 61, until Sunday.

The wall will be escorted today from Arkansas to Perryville by veterans on motorcycles and should arrive at the city limits by 3 p.m. An opening ceremony will be at 9 a.m. Wednesday; area students will be welcomed Thursday; a candlelight vigil is scheduled for sunset Friday, including residents from retirement homes. Lundy said volunteers will be available to escort those who need assistance Friday and Saturday.

The hours from sunrise to 10:30 a.m. Saturday are reserved for Vietnam veterans and their families and guests; at noon Sunday, a ceremony paying tribute to local Vietnam veterans is scheduled with Grass as the featured speaker. A sunrise service will be held June 22.

Lundy said more than 500 people are expected to help escort the wall to Perryville today, and more than 500 students have signed up to tour it Thursday.

"We're just expecting a huge crowd," Lundy said. "Every time I turn around, we're getting more people inquiring about it. The phone hasn't stopped ringing."

Local veterans Mike Phillips and Dean Hotop, whom Lundy said served directly under Grass, were instrumental in bringing Grass, who hails from Arnold, Missouri.

"We're just proud that Gen. Grass is coming. We believe he's a huge addition to our celebration of Vietnam veterans. It's really kind of rare to see a four-star general at an event like this, but we're so proud to have him," Lundy said.

As a non-vetenonveteransaid it's his job to tell the veterans how much they're appreciated. "To me, it's an honor to be able to do this for them," he said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

Perryville Soccer Complex just off U.S. Highway 51 bypass between St. Joseph Street and U.S. Highway 61