WHITE PINE, Mich. (WLUC) – Veterans walked the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in White Pine on Saturday. Since 1984, the replica has been transported across the country to visit people who can’t travel to Washington, D.C. It stands 6 feet tall at the center and is nearly 300 feet long from end to end. Aaron Gray, commander of the American Legion in White Pine, says this is the third time the replica has visited the UP.

“A lot of sons and daughters are left behind,” Gray said. “I realize there are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who did great things, but they never got that. You know, they had a chance to do that, but no chance to have the memories that we all have.”

He says: Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat themselves.

“I hope it touches them,” Gray added. “A lot of people know about the Vietnam War, but a lot of kids don’t, so it’s a good education for the young ones. If you have time to watch the film, that’s the best thing for them.”

Over 58,000 names line the walls, and eight of them are placed at the front to commemorate Ontonagon County soldiers who died in battle. Uniformed veterans from across the UP paid a final salute to the veterans at the wall.

Vietnam veteran Ron Howard says Ontonagon County has always supported military activities.

“It’s remarkable to see headstones dating back to the Civil War, the Indian Wars, World War I and World War II,” Howard said. “There are headstones; I mean, there are hundreds of headstones.”

Howard has visited the memorial in DC and is moved every time.

“Some of us were close, but we didn’t land on it,” Howard added. “So we honor our friends who are over there.”

Visitors can view the wall at the White Pine American Legion anytime until Monday, August 12 at 9 a.m.

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