The Wall That Heals, a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Gardiner on Thursday through Sunday, July 19-22, on the Gardiner Common and will be open 24 hours a day and is free to the public, according to a news release from Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund in Washington, D.C. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the more than 58,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

The city of Gardiner will be among the first to host the new, larger exhibit which includes a three-quarter scale Wall replica that is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. With the new replica at this size, visitors will be able to experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in Washington. For the first time in the history of The Wall That Heals, visitors will be able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.

“We are thrilled to share the new The Wall That Heals exhibit with the public this year. Through The Wall That Heals, we are able to return the names home to communities across the country and allow Vietnam veterans and their family members who cannot make it to Washington, D.C. the opportunity to see The Wall. It gives communities a teaching moment for younger generations on why we should honor those who have served and sacrificed so much,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF, according to the release.

The exhibit includes The Wall replica and a mobile Education Center comprised of: digital photo displays of “Hometown Heroes” — service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died as a result of their service; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall and of the collection of items left at The Wall in D.C.; educational exhibits told through items in the collection; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.

The current schedule and more information can be found at www.thewallthatheals.org.