Issue Seven Spring 2021

The American Legion Post 215 is honored to announce the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) replica, “The
Wall That Heals” (TWTH) has been rescheduled to visit Nahant
this July 15-18, 2021.
On Veterans Day 1996, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Fund (VVMF) unveiled a replica of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Washington, D.C., designed to travel to towns
throughout the United States. Since its dedication TWTH
has been displayed at nearly 700 towns throughout the
country. The exhibit honors the more than three million
Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam
War and bears the names of the 58,279 men and women
who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The exhibit includes
a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its
tallest point. On Tuesday, July 13th the 53 foot trailer containing
TWTH along with the Mobile Education Center, will be
escorted from Suffolk Downs to the Lowlands Park, across
from the Coast Guard Station and Short Beach, for a brief
welcome after which volunteers will assist with assembly.
Mobile Education Center
The 53-foot trailer that carries The Wall That Heals transforms
to become a mobile Education Center. The exterior
of the trailer features a timeline of “The War and The Wall”
and provides information about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in Washington, D.C. Additional exhibits give visitors
a better understanding of the legacy of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial and the collection of items left at The
Wall. The display includes Hometown Heroes – photos of
service members on who list their home of record from the
local area. The photos are part of the effort to put a face
to every name on The Wall and for the Wall of Faces. As
well as digital kiosks that allows visitors to search for names.
The exhibit will be open 24-hours/day while here and will
require the assistance of many volunteers. (See volunteer
signup information below.) Hosts in each town provide the
location, volunteers, and preparations necessary to replicate
the experience a visitor would have at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Washington D.C. All health and safety
precautions will be followed. Visitors and volunteers will
be required to wear masks and practice social distancing to
safeguard staff, volunteers and other visitors.
Message from Toby Quirk, Committee Chair & American
Legion Post Chaplain
In the Fall of 2019 Wayne Noonan and I were walking along
the Memorial Day parade route. Wayne, one of the American
Legion Post 215’s most senior members said, “I have
an idea for the Legion’s 100th anniversary. How about we
bring the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to Nahant?”
I had never heard of The Wall That Heals before so Wayne
had to explain it to me. That conversation began our journey
of bringing the exhibit to Nahant.
Our team, headed by our American Legion Post 215 with
support from the American Legion Auxiliary, is now busy
planning for a first class event. The Town of Nahant has
enthusiastically supported the effort, giving us valuable advice
and offering key personnel to join the planning effort.
The team also extends to many residents of Nahant offering
their valuable time, energy and talent.
Wayne and I continue walking the parade route and now as
we walk through Veterans Park and the Lowlands Athletic
Field where the exhibit will be located he admits, “I think
we have something special coming to Nahant this year.”
I have to agree.
Donations
To make a donation please visit the Nahant American Legion
Post 215 website at www.alspost215.org and click on
the PayPal button. If you would like to donate by check,
please make your check out to Nahant Legion Wall Fund,
P.O. Box 82, Nahant, MA 01908. Donations of all kinds are
greatly appreciated.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer please visit the website below.
There are many opportunities from ambassador/greeters,
site and exhibit setup, dismantling, tour guides, marketing,
etc. All levels of experience are helpful. Students, your time
can be used for community service hours.
The 26th season begins in New Bern, North Carolina and
will visit 28 communities throughout the U.S. during the
year. Nahant is one of the only two scheduled appearances
for New England.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the organization
that headed up the development of the Vietnam
Memorial in Washington and they continue to maintain it.
Their mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service
and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam
War.
We hope you’ll be able to join us for this memorable event.
website: http://www.alpost215.org/
"In honor and
remembrance"
13 | Nahant Magazine
nahant_mag_spring_21_26.indd 13
4/1/2021 10:32:30 PM