Public encouraged to greet The Wall That Heals upon its Tuesday arrival in Dare County
The Dare County Veterans Advisory Council encourages all Dare County residents and visitors to show their support to local veterans by greeting The Wall That Heals—a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that tours the country—when it arrives in Dare County on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
The trailer that transports The Wall That Heals throughout the country will be escorted by numerous Jeeps and approximately 400 motorcycles along U.S. Highway 64 from Columbia, through Manns Harbor and the Town of Manteo, to the Soundside Event Site in the Town of Nags Head, where it will then be set up and placed on display from Thursday, November 16, 2023, through Sunday, November 19, 2023.
Members of the public are encouraged to stand safely along the sides of the road and wave American flags to greet the transport as it arrives on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. The trailer is estimated to cross the William B. Umstead Bridge and pass through Manteo at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. The trailer will then continue to the Soundside Event Site, which is located at 6800 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head.
A tracking link for the trailer will be posted on www.DareNC.gov/Wall at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, to provide greeters with up-to-date information on the location of The Wall That Heals as it makes its way along the route through Dare County.
Opening Ceremony – Thursday, November 16, at 10 a.m.
An opening ceremony to celebrate The Wall That Heals’ stay in Dare County will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. The ceremony will feature patriotic music, a presentation of colors, a poem reading, and remarks from several guest speakers, including Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard, Dare County Veterans Advisory Council Chairman Justin O’Sullivan, General PX Kelley Memorial Fund founder Chris Kelley Cimko, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath and U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Barry “Fuzzy” Holt.
View the Opening Ceremony Program
Candlelight Ceremony – Friday, November 17, at 6 p.m.
A candlelight ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, November 17, 2023, at the Soundside Event Site in Nags Head. In addition to patriotic music and a poem reading, this ceremony will also feature remarks made by U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Barry “Fuzzy” Holt and Chaplain Hardy Owens, as well as a reading of the names of Dare County Vietnam veterans who have passed, provided courtesy of their loved ones.
View the Candlelight Ceremony Program
Walk to the Wall – Saturday, November 18, at 11 a.m.
A “Walk to the Wall” will take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023, to honor the Vietnam veterans who are in attendance. Following remarks made by U.S. Army Vietnam veteran Barry “Fuzzy” Holt, Vietnam veterans will gather at The Wall That Heals’ Mobile Education Center before making their journey across the site to visit The Wall That Heals together.
Transportation to The Wall That Heals
If you are a veteran who would like to schedule free transportation to and from The Wall That Heals, you may do so by calling the Dare County Transportation Department (Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at 252-475-5640 to schedule a trip. Please note that transportation requests must be made at least 48 hours in advance. For more information about the services provided by the Dare County Transportation Department, visit www.DareNC.gov/Transportation.
Transportation to The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals exhibit, as well as the opening ceremony and candlelight ceremony, are free and open to the public. For more information about The Wall That Heals, click here.
