Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall coming to Fairview Heights

Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights will salute the area's Vietnam veterans this weekend by hosting an encore display of the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall.

The wall is a three-quarter-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial found in Washington, D.C. It is 8 feet high, 240 feet long and inscribed with the names of the more than 58,000 servicemen and women who died or are missing in Vietnam.

Opening ceremonies will be at 11 a.m. Friday and will include the laying of wreaths, musical performances and the playing of taps as well as rides in the tethered POW-MIA Freedom Flight hot-air balloon. Closing ceremonies will take place at 2 p.m. Sunday with an appearance by the Rolling Thunder motorcycle group and a talk by retired Chief Master Sgt. Paul Cleary, a Vietnam veteran who served 33 years in the Air Force.

In addition, the Quilt of Tears, a traveling memorial to victims of Agent Orange, and "Through the Eyes," an exhibit of photographs and other Vietnam memorabilia, will be on display. The wall will be open for viewing around the clock from Friday through Sunday.