WILDWOOD — The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 955 will hold a dedication and unveiling ceremony for the new Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Wall at noon on May 29 at Columbus Park in the Wildwoods, located directly across the street from the Wildwoods Convention Center at Burk and Ocean Avenue.
The Wildwoods’ Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Wall, the only permanent Vietnam Memorial replica in the Northeast, is an exact, half-size, black granite replica of the official Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It will have the 58,913 names of our country’s fallen heroes from the Vietnam War etched on its panels and will stretch for 240 feet along the existing sidewalks of Columbus Park. The Wildwoods’ Wall will also have blank panels to allow for additional names, as determined by a periodic Department of Defense review.
Behind the Wall will be 11 flagpoles flying the U.S. flag, State of NJ flag, POW Flag, the U.S. armed forces and the military service organization flags, plus elevated landscaping, including flowering cherry trees, which will provide flowers in the spring, shade in the summer and vibrant fall colors. Benches will be installed to facilitate contemplation and a reflective atmosphere.
“The building of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Wildwood is long overdue. The new memorial will give veterans and family members of fallen soldiers within the region a place to go to look back and reflect upon the lives of loved ones who gave their lives fighting for freedom,” said Vince DePrinzio, treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 955.
The Dedication and Unveiling Ceremony for the replica “Wall That Heals” will begin at noon in Columbus Park. The event will feature: a Presentation of Colors from the color guards of the American Legion 184 Wildwood, VFW 5343 Villas, NJ Marine Corps League George Dramis Detachment Cape May Courthouse, and the Emerald Society of North Wildwood.
The raising of the United States flag, along with service and military flags; a military fly-over; an invocation speech by VVA Chapter 955 Chaplain Theodore Kulesza Jr.; presentation of essays written by students of Cresse Memorial School; the reading of the Vietnam Veterans’ Prayer; a Benediction from Charles Quinn Sr.; performance of the U.S. Coast Guard Band; and the Unveiling and Ribbon-Cutting of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.
Also that day from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., a free Celebration of Heroes Festival will take place at Fox Park, located on Ocean Avenue across from the Wildwoods Convention Center. In celebration of the new wall, the festival will feature free live entertainment by TRU, Kenny Jeremiah of the Soul Survivors, Sherry Lynn, 45-RPM, The Generation, The Nobodys and Second Vision, along with lots of food, merchandise vendors, games and more.
For more information, contact Tracey DuFault at 609-729-4000 or Vince DePrinzio at 609-463-8342 or 609-827-7062.
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