The public is invited to pay tribute to fallen military heroes when the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute come to Big Bear Lake this fall.
City of Big Bear Lake officials said the American Veterans Traveling Tribute includes the replicated wall that will appear thanks to a partnership with American Legion Post 584 and America’s Freedom Tribute.
The mobile monument will be displayed from Sept. 25-28 at Swim Beach, 41218 Park Ave. in Big Bear Lake.
The Traveling Vietnam Wall honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice to the country during the Vietnam War, organizers said.
The 360-foot-long wall, which is 80% of the size of the original wall in Washington, D.C., will also include the Cost of Freedom Tribute, which honors those who took part in other major wars and conflicts such as WWI, WWII, Korea, Desert Storm, Somalia, 9/11, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“The American Veterans Traveling Tribute offers the people, alongside veterans, the chance to pay their respects to our nation’s fallen warriors and gain a deeper appreciation for all those who have answered the call to service,” said Jim Lona, who serves as vice chair of the San Bernardino Veterans Advisory Committee, American Legion Post 584.
History
The American Veterans Traveling Tribute was originally formed in 1998.
After several owners, it was purchased and reformed in 2005 by Retired Lt. Col. Don Allen, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran, and his wife, Dr. Barb Allen.
When Allen retired from service, he felt called to do something for fellow veterans, organizers said.
He utilized his talents from the very beginning by literally running a one-man show that included fabrication, marketing, and setting up shows, according to the group.
In 2019, the doors were opened to the tribute’s current location in Bullard, Texas.
American Veterans Traveling Tribute is a multi-division, nationally recognized Veteran-owned and operated small business.
The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall has been part of more than 500 events across the United States over the last 19 years.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall comes to Southern California
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
