The City of Palmdale, the AV Wall Committee, and Point Man Antelope Valley will host the Antelope Valley's Mobile Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall (AV Wall)
from 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 to 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 at the Palmdale Amphitheater, located at 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd.
The monument is open to the public 24 hours a day during the display period. Admission is free.
Since its inaugural display, the AV Wall has traveled throughout Southern California helping to educate, honor, and heal all who visit. While in Palmdale, there will be several activities and events.
On Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents, organizations, schools, businesses, families and veterans are encouraged to participate in the “Tied to Our Hearts” community service project. Together, they will create a 12' x 3' Vietnam service ribbon for display on the Amphitheater’s fence as a way to say “welcome home” to all veterans.
On Thursday, Nov. 7 at 9 am, a motorcycle escort will travel from Hunter Ram of the West, located at 10th Street West and Avenue K-8, to the Amphitheater. Details on the exact route will be available at www.avwall.org.
Next, will be two very special events on Saturday, Nov. 9. First will be the 10th Anniversary Ceremony at 11 a.m. Those who have been involved with the AV Wall over the past 10 years are encouraged to attend this ceremony, which will recognize past host cities and sponsors. Every guest will receive a commemorative 10th Anniversary AV Wall pin. Then at 9 p.m. that evening, the annual Candlelight Memorial Walk will honor the 76 fallen service members from the Antelope Valley whose names are engraved on the memorial. For those who would like to honor a fallen or passed on service member of any Military branch at the Candlelight can do so by inquiring onsite.
The official programming will conclude with a Veterans Day Ceremony on Monday, Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. The Ceremony will include patriotic performances by Rat Pack Ricky and The Air National Guard Band of the West Brass Quintet. The Guest Speaker will be Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, Commander, 412th Test Wing, Edwards Air Force Base. Every veteran in attendance will receive an appreciation pin and there will be a special 50th Commemorative Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin Presentation.
Taps will be played nightly at 9 p.m. while the AV Wall is on display.
For more information, visit www.avwall.org.
ABOUT THE AV WALL
The Antelope Valley's Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial black granite wall on the Washington Mall that was designed by artist Maya Lin. It is affectionately known as The AV Wall, and its caretaker is Point Man Antelope Valley, and organization that works tirelessly to take the Wall throughout Southern California with the mission of educating, inspiring, and healing all who visit the memorial.
It is one of the rarest home-grown memorials of its kind in the nation and represents the Antelope Valley’s commitment to the men and women who served their country.
The six-day display at the Palmdale Amphitheater is staffed completely by volunteers, veterans, local service organizations and others. The volunteers attend an in-depth training so they can provide visitors with the best possible experience during their visit to the wall. Volunteers help look up names in the computer database, assist in locating the names on the wall, and provide information about the wall design and layout.
The AV Wall was designed and fabricated by Signs and Designs, Inc. of Palmdale. From 2005 through 2009, over $100,000 was raised locally to build the wall. It was dedicated at a ceremony at Joe Davies Heritage Airpark at Palmdale Plant 42 on Nov. 13, 2009. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Wall’s existence.
The AV Wall has traveled across Southern California. It has been visited by thousands of men, women and children since its dedication and has provided education, healing and a gathering place for Vietnam Veterans to mourn and remember. A visit to the AV Wall offers a chance to show respect and honor those who lost their lives in Vietnam.