'Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall' Visits Danbury

This weekend the people of Connecticut had a unique opportunity and the great (and I do mean great - we are proud) City of Danbury played host for this event.  The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall  arrived here on a stormy Tuesday and volunteers spent over 5 hours helping to set up the travelling memorial wall in the rain in order to make sure it would open as scheduled.  My husband and I had planned to visit the wall when we heard it was scheduled to make a stop in Danbury.  An opportunity to visit the wall is a gift for people who can't make it to our nations capitol as we had done in the middle of summer.  I have had the great privilege of visiting the wall in D.C. many times over the years and had heard how impressive the travelling walls are.  The one that visited Danbury is one of several that travel the country.  This wall is grand.  It is a 3/4 scale version of the actual memorial and provides the emotional impact that the original evokes.

We were impressed with the number of volunteers that were giving tours of the wall and answering questions with ease.  I was happy to overhear many of these 'mini tours' and encouraged by the amount of questions that were being asked.  There were a fair amount of young people in attendance but not nearly enough.  I hope more people hear about this and make the effort to venture into Danbury.  You won't be disappointed.  Bring your children, bring friends and especially senior citizens that would want to pay their respects and may lack transportation.  Paper and pencils are provided for rubbings and memorials are accepted at the base of the wall just as in D.C.   These 'memorials' are collected each day and deposited in a special burial vault (on display) that will be interred at a later date. There are ceremonies to mark the beginning and end of each day and the wall is beautifully lit at night.  It has been open around the clock and will stay open until 5 p.m. tomorrow - Sept. 23rd.  I took some photos this afternoon.  It should have been packed with people.  Tomorrow is going to be a beautiful day.  Take a day trip to Danbury, CT - don't let this opportunity slip by.  It's located on Memorial Drive in Danbury and is set up on the front lawn in front of The Danbury War Memorial building.  Well done, Danbury.