The "traveling" version of the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC will make its way to Savannah this summer

(SAVANNAH, GA) If there were ever an opportunity to pay respect to those who
died in the Vietnam War, now is the chance. The "traveling" version of the
Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington, DC will make its way to Savannah
this summer. With it will come its power to evoke emotions from even those who
were born long after the war started and came to and end from 1959-1975.

The original structure is located in the northwest section of the nation's
capitol and is one of the districts most visited sights. It was unveiled in
1982 and the traveling wall was unveiled in 1996. Since then, the half-size
traveling replica has visited more than 250 cities across the country. This year
will be its first stop in Savannah.

Ray Gaster was a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War and is a member of the
Vietnam Veteran's of America Chapter 671. He is also the person who pitched
the idea of bringing "The Wall" to Savannah.

"I think this is long overdue,"� Gaster says.

"I go to the wall every time I go to DC. There are names of people I served
with on that wall, but everyone who wants to pay their respects may never get to
go to DC. This traveling wall will give them an opportunity to see just how
special this memorial is."

Just like the original structure, the traveling wall, also called "The Wall
that Heals" is etched with the more than 58,000 names of those who died in the
war in order of their deaths. It also has the same mirror-like surface to
reflect not only its surroundings but also the faces of those paying their
respects. And whether you're looking at the wall in DC or in Savannah this
summer, many say it no doubt holds up to its expectations of being "The Wall
That Heals."

"Savannah's Vietnam Veteran's Memorial has the names of those Chatham
County soldiers killed in the war, but many people don't realize those names
on the national memorial in DC," Gaster says.
"Visitors will be able to see the same names when the wall comes to Savannah.
It gives the family and friends of those who died a chance to complete the
healing process right at home in their own community."

The traveling exhibit comes with an information center and a name directory.
Plus it has a museum, complete with first hand accounts of the war and
memorabilia.

The Vietnam Veteran's of America Chapter 671 is hosting the event, with James
Crauswell, former President of VVA Chapter 671, is chairing the Wall Committee.

Leisure Services City of Savannah is the sponsor. To welcome the exhibit, there
will be an opening ceremony Thursday (Flag Day), June 14th at Emmet Park in
Savannah and events will wrap up the following Sunday evening (Father's Day).
Specific times have not yet been scheduled. It is free and open to the public 24 hours a day during its time in Savannah.

For more information on "The Wall That Heals" log onto www.vvmf.org. Or to
learn more about its upcoming visit to Savannah, call 912-927-3356.