The Wall That Heals
Thursday, May 18 – Sunday, May 21, 2023
The Wall That Heals will be available for viewing 24 hours a day.
Closing on Sunday, May 21, at 2 pm
Free Admission
About The Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile Education Center, is coming to Rhinelander, Wisconsin on May 18-21, 2023 at Nicolet College and will be open 24 hours a day and free to the public. The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed forces in the Vietnam War and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall.
The mobile Education Center exhibit includes: 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; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.
The 2023 national The Wall That Heals tour is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is able to travel across the country.
Tentative Schedule
Tuesday, May 16
12 pm (Noon) - The Wall That Heals arrives in Rhinelander and will tour through Rhinelander before making its final stop in the Nicolet College field.
The escort tour will start at noon from Northwoods Golf Course. It will travel east on Highway 8, go through the roundabout to Kemp Street, and will turn right at the Kemp and Oneida intersection. Once it reaches Nicolet College, it will enter the main drive and make the loop before parking next to the field. Click here to view the route.
Wednesday, May 17
8 am to 2 pm – Construction of The Wall That Heals
2 pm – The Wall That Heals opens to the public
6 to 7 pm – Volunteer Training
Thursday, May 18
The Wall That Heals is officially open and free to the public 24 hours
9 am - 2:30 pm - School Tours
Group Tours available for all ages
6 pm - Welcome Home Ceremony - Guest speakers and the Northwoods Honor Guard
Friday, May 19
The Wall That Heals is open and free to the public 24 hours
9 am - 2:30 pm - School Tours
Group Tours available for all ages
Saturday, May 20
The Wall That Heals is open and free to the public 24 hours
Sunday, May 21
1:30 pm - Closing Ceremony
The Wall That Heals is open and free to the public until 2 pm
What to know before you visit:
- The Wall and mobile Education Center will be open 24 hours a day.
- Parking is free and located on site. Handicap parking and assistance for Veterans are also available.
- Visitors can view the exhibit at their own pace.
- Children are welcome.
- No dogs or pets are allowed except for service animals.
- There are NO concessions or souvenirs for purchase.
In Memory Program
Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) believes all those who served in Vietnam should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized.
To have a loved one considered for the 2023 In Memory program, you must submit your application to VVMF by March 29, 2023. You can apply online here or download a paper application here. For more information and additional requirements, visit https://www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program/.
Volunteer Opportunities
Please use the following link or the button below if you are willing to volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948AEA92AA1F5C70-thewall
Set-Up Wednesday, May 17 from 8 am to 2 pm. 30-35 able-bodied volunteers needed to unload the truck, erect the frame, and build the wall (each slab weighs 80 pounds). Volunteers must sign up for the entire time slot. Lunch will be provided.
Display Volunteers Wednesday, May 17 at 2 pm until Sunday, May 21 at 2 pm. Six to eight volunteers are needed for each four hour shift. Volunteers are highly encouraged to attend a training on Wednesday, May 17 at 6 pm Below is a list of roles:
- Wall Volunteers (4-6 per shift)
- Greet visitors
- Assist with finding names and doing name rubbings
- Serve as expert regarding layout, facts, and stories (will be trained)
- Visitor Tent (1-2 per shift)
- Act as "receptionist"
- Answer questions about The Wall, look up names, and hand out brochures
- Mobile Education Center (1-2 per shift)
- Share information about the Hometown Heroes, In Memory Honor Roll, and mobile education center.
- Draw attention to various exhibits to engage visitors
Breakdown Sunday, May 21 from 2 pm to 7 pm. Again, 30-35 able-bodied volunteers needed to dismantle the exhibit and carefully pack the truck. Volunteers must sign-up for the entire time slot. Dinner will be provided.
There is no age restriction for volunteers, however, if under 18 a parent, guardian, coach, teacher, etc. must be present during the shift.
School & Group Tours
This unique, opportunity provides an educational experience at a level impossible even at The Memorial in Washington, D.C. Every tour is led by a Vietnam Veteran Memorial Fund staff member trained to engage visitors and students of all ages and backgrounds. Each group will be guided through the mobile Education Center and The Wall. Tours run approximately one hour, including a question-and-answer session, allowing time for groups to engage with The Wall.
Group tours are also available Thursday and Friday evening as well as Saturday for non-school groups such as scout groups and community organizations. To reserve a time, please contact Brian Thomas at brthom@vilascountywi.gov or 715-479-3778.
Sign up for a school tour:
Use the link or button below to schedule a school tour.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0948AEA92AA1F5C70-thewall1
Thank You To The Sponsors
Below is a current list of the sponsors for The Wall That Heals – Nicolet College
- A1 Septic
- American Legion Auxillary Unit 431
- American Legion Post 7
- American Legion Post 89 – Minocqua
- American Legion Post 94 - Crandon
- American Legion Post 114 – Eagle River
- American Legion Post 318 – Lake Tomahawk
- American Legion Post 374 (Chicog-Skye) – Lac du Flambeau
- American Legion Post 431 – Three Lakes
- American Legion Post 525 – Antigo
- American Legion Riders District 11 – Lake Tomahawk
- AMVETS Post 724 – Rhinelander
- Aaron and Kristina Aschenbrenner
- CT’s Deli
- DAV Chapter 29 – Lincoln County
- DAV Chapter 62 – Rhinelander
- DAV – Antigo
- Doug and Kate Ferrel
- Bruce and Linda Hoegger
- Island Bay Printing
- O’Melia, Schiek, & McEldowney, S.C.
- The NCO Club – Rhinelander/Tomahawk
- Ray Rousseau VFW Post 3143 – Rhinelander
- Rhinelander Tourism and Marketing Committee
- Rhinelander Community Foundation
- Trinka -Weber-Rogers VFW Post 8637 – Eagle River
- Walmart
- Wurl-Feind-Ingman VFW Post 2687 – Tomahawk
- VFW Auxiliary Post 6823
- Vietnam Veterans of America Lakeland Chapter 256
If you are interested in making a donation, please click the "Donate" button below. When completing the form, please be sure to indicate that the donation is for The Wall That Heals in the comment box. Thank you!
Contact
Casey Lehmann
Financial Aid Advisor/School Certifying Official
715-365-4487
clehmann@nicoletcollege.edu