The American Veterans Traveling Tribute will bring a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall to North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater from Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 4. The exhibit previously was at the park in 2011.
The wall will be open to visitors at the fairgrounds from 1 p.m. Thursday through 2 p.m. Sunday. Visitors will be welcome around the clock. The AVTT’s appearance in Somerset County is sponsored by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 452.
An opening ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday and a closing ceremony Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
During the visit, county officials will recognize current and former residents who served in U.S. armed forces during the Gulf War or later military operations in Southwest Asia. Eligible veterans may register at https://www.co.somerset.nj.us/medalforms/
The AVTT presents several Cost of Freedom memorials and exhibits, with its centerpiece being the Traveling Wall, an 80-percent-scale version of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Across its 370-foot length, the wall contains every single name etched on the original. At its apex the memorial is an impressive eight feet tall. The traveling wall was completed in early 1998 and began traveling that year.
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute is a veteran-owned project committed to travel the USA to honor, respect and remember those who served, and pay specific tribute to those who gave all. AVTT is not government sponsored or affiliated, but funded through sponsorship fees, donations and sale of merchandise at events.
AVTT works with The Traveling Wall Foundation, an IRS-designated, charitable, non-profit organization. Donations or support to AVTT’s mission, via the foundation, are qualified charitable tax deductions. For information, visit www.avtt.org or call 903-714-8634.
