HINESVILLE, Ga. (WSAV) - Bryant Commons Park in Hinesville was home to a display of what has been in nearly 700 communities throughout the nation, the Wall That Heals.
The touring wall is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and features more than 58,000 names of American soldiers killed during the Vietnam War engraved on it.
The process to bring the wall to Hinesville began years ago when President of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 789 in Liberty County, Dennis Fitzgerald, and a group got together to do something to help Vietnam veterans, and their families find a way to heal.
"So, we did the paperwork and last November we were told we had the wall coming in and they gave us a date that it would be here this past whole week," Fitzgerald said.
On October 22 The Wall That Heals was escorted by Savannah Harley-Davidson to Hinesville.
"We made a promise to all and their families that never again would a veteran come back, or a service member come back without being recognized," Fitzgerald said.
Bringing the exhibit to communities throughout the country allows The Wall That Heals to exist among family and friends in familiar surroundings.
"The feeling itself will get to you. I've seen guys, hardened combat vets from Dessert Storm, Iraq and Iran come out here and say, 'My God, this place has some weird but soulful feelings that makes you reflect on what actually happened'" Fitzgerald said.
In addition to The Wall that Heals, the touring wall also comes along with a Mobile Education Center.
Visitor, 18-year-old Journee Harris, said she thinks the experience is eye opening, "We're learning more stuff that I really didn't even know, now I do," she said.
On what she's walking away with, Harris said, "I'll say gratitude and appreciation because all these people fought in the Vietnam War for, I guess a better life for all of us now, so, I'm walking out of here with some gratitude."
The Wall That Heals was dismantled at 2 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's website by clicking here.