Story and photos provided by OSU Communications
The Wall That Heals, a 375-foot-long replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will be on display April 18-21 at Oklahoma State University.
Visitors can honor the more than 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War and visit a mobile education center to learn about social, cultural, and political aspects of the Vietnam era in the United States.
“We are deeply honored to be hosting The Wall That Heals,” said Rick Hansen, a retired Marine Corps captain and coordinator of OSU’s Student Veteran Academic Services, which serves more than 600 student, faculty, and staff veterans. “We invite everyone to come out and pay their respects to the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.”
The Wall That Heals — which rises to an apex of 7 ½ feet high at its center — will be available for viewing 24 hours a day from 12 a.m. April 18 through 3 p.m. April 21 on the intramural athletic fields west of the Colvin Center near West Hall of Fame Avenue and North Walnut Street in Stillwater. Parking will be available nearby.
An opening ceremony is planned for 10-11:30 a.m. April 18 and will include an address from OSU President Burns Hargis.
Hourlong guided tours are available to student groups April 18-19. To reserve a time slot, contact Jim Self at 405-612-1664 or [email protected].
Volunteers and staff from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund — responsible for bringing The Wall That Heals to OSU — will be leading the tours.
A recognition ceremony for Vietnam veterans, Purple Heart recipients and gold star families (survivors of those killed in the line of military duty) is set for 2 p.m. April 20.
Those interested in being recognized are asked to contact OSU’s Student Veteran Academic Services at 405-744-1390 or [email protected].
A non-denominational Easter sunrise service is planned for 8 a.m. April 21. Echoing taps will be played to close the event at 2:50 p.m. Sunday.
The public is welcome to visit anytime and encouraged to make rubbings of service members’ names.
Stillwater is the eighth of 34 stops for the traveling exhibit in 2019, which honors the more than 3 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War.
“The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit provides thousands of veterans and their family members the chance to visit The Wall and honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of the memorial fund. “Hosting the exhibit gives veterans an opportunity for healing and provides an educational experience for the whole community on the impact of the Vietnam War on America.”
About Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university that prepares students for success. OSU has more than 36,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and around 120 nations. Established in 1890, Oklahoma State has graduated more than 260,000 students who have been serving Oklahoma and the world for 125 years.
