If you haven’t visited the iconic Vietnam Veterans Wall in Washington, D.C., you’ll get your chance to see a replica of the monument in neighboring Coweta County in October.
A motorcycle benefit ride on April 23 will raise money to bring “The Wall That Heals,” a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, to the Coweta County Fairgrounds this fall.
A function of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), the benefit ride is open to all motorcycle enthusiasts, with donations accepted at the time of registration.
The April 23 event will begin at the Great South Harley Davidson dealership located at 185 Ga. Highway 16 East in Newnan. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. Riders will depart at 10 a.m. for a trip to the U.S. Army National Infantry Museum in Columbus.
A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., “The Wall That Heals” spans approximately 250 feet in length. The wall has traveled to more than 300 towns and cities across the United States since it was unveiled on Veterans Day in 1996.
“Bringing ‘The Wall’ home to communities throughout our country allows the souls enshrined on the memorial to exist once more among family and friends in the peace and comfort of familiar surroundings,” according to VVMF. “The traveling exhibit … allows the many thousands of veterans who have been unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Wall (in Washington) to find the strength and courage to do so within their own communities, thus allowing the healing process to begin.”
The fund-raiser is being sponsored by Gene Evans Great South Harley Davidson and the Great South Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.).
Great South H.O.G. representative Rick LeMay said, “The replica is taken to various towns and cities throughout the country providing Americans with an opportunity to pay homage to the more than 58,000 Vietnam veterans who gave their lives for their country.”
For more information contact either Rick LeMay at 770-755-5421 or by email at hwkrhl@gmail.com or Ric O’Brien at 770-841-4130 or by email ric.semperfi@bellsouth.net.
