The Wall That Heals ~ Visiting VA Bedford on Springs Road ~ Til 2 pm on Sunday, September 25

A banner across Springs Road welcomed The Wall That Heals and its visitor to VA Bedford ~ Image, Jon O’Connor (c) 2022 all rights reserved

~ Contributed by Jon O’Connor and VA Bedford

Launched by the Bedford Fire Department, Old Glory flies above the truck delivering The Wall That Heals ~ Image, Jon O’Connor (c) 2022 all rights reserved

More than 150 motorcycles escorted The Wall That Heals (TWTH) onto the VA Bedford Healthcare System grounds early on Tuesday afternoon where it was greeted by an enormous American flag—suspended from the tip of Ladder One over Springs Road—and scores of volunteers.

The Wall that Heals exhibit will be open continuously, 24 hours a day, through 2 pm on Sunday, October 25.

The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, hosted in Bedford by the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital. The exhibit is accompanied by a mobile Education Center, also open 24 hours a day. Both are free to the public as a program of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Two special events will take place while TWTH is in Bedford:

A suicide prevention walk was held on Thursday, followed by a Welcome Home and pinning ceremony for Veterans.
A blessing of the families will take place at 11 am on Sunday, September 25, Gold Star Mother’s Day, before the exhibit closes at 2 pm.

First Responders from Bedford’s Fire and Police Departments launched the American flag that flew over Springs Road

The Wall That Heals travels in a distinctive semi-trailer ~ Image (c) Jon O’Connor (c) 2022 all rights reserved

WTH Site Manager Vic Marshaler proudly spoke to all Vietnam Veterans present by giving them a loud, clear, and heartfelt “Welcome Home,” and thanking all “who answered their nation’s call just as they were asked to do.”

The escorts, law enforcement officers, Veterans, and civilians—well over 250 in all—also received his praise: “You have helped today by trying to undo some of the wrongs of the 60s and 70s during that Vietnam Era when we didn’t welcome home our troops very well. We hope that this escort will be part of that healing process.”

Marshaler encouraged the community to “further be part of the healing by attending this year’s event, an experience taking place over the next several days for a 24/7 educational and historical perspective and understanding.”