Fort Jackson will unveil a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall next week, as part of the Defense Department's commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
The Moving Wall is one of several smaller models of the monument that travel around the country, allowing viewers to see and to make rubbings of their lost Soldiers' names without visiting the nation's capital.
"This allows Vietnam veterans the chance to the see the wall if they can't get to Washington, D.C.," said Lt. Col. James Karcanes of Fort Jackson G7, who helped plan the wall's appearance. "It helps them reconnect with their battle buddies and pay respect to their comrades."
The unveiling on May 14 will be one of the first events of Victory Week, a sort of open house that allows the public to see Fort Jackson. May 16 has been set aside for a Vietnam veterans' welcome-home celebration.
During the unveiling ceremony, volunteers from local veterans' groups and the Fort Jackson community will read all 58,228 names engraved on the wall. Visitors will be able to view the wall and to make rubbings day and night through the closing ceremony on May 17.
Lumber crayons will be available for those wishing to make rubbings. Pointed pencils and pens will not be allowed.
The wall comprises two 127-foot legs set at an angle and is expected to take roughly four hours and at least 10 volunteers to erect when Hilton Field has emptied after graduation ceremonies on Wednesday. Workers will have to pound into the ground a wooden foundation of 2-by-4s to level the wall and keep it stable during windy conditions.
Planning for Fort Jackson's Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Ceremony began in October 2014. For one of its planners, Lt. Col. John Gagan, the ceremony wouldn't be complete without the wall.
"You can't have a celebration without paying tribute to the veterans," said Gagan, Fort Jackson's onetime long-range outreach project manager.
Initially, the odds against the Moving Wall's being erected on Fort Jackson appeared slim, he said. Most appearances are scheduled a year ahead of time. By chance, the display was going to Atlanta right before Victory Week -- a lucky break for Fort Jackson.
An additional sponsor of the wall's appearance is Honor Flight of South Carolina, a veteran-service organization founded to help World War II and Korean War veterans travel to Washington to see war memorials.
Bill Dukes, co-founder of Honor Flight and South Carolina's civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, said the appearance of the Moving Wall, "shows our appreciation to Vietnam Veterans by bringing the wall to them."
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