Traveling war memorial stops in Mobile

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The traveling Vietnam Memorial wall arrived in Mobile Wednesday afternoon, August 8.

The traveling memorial, which is a three-fifths scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., was made to allow people with loved ones whose names are on it to see their relatives or friends memorialized in their hometown.

World War II and Korean War veteran Fred Mason lost his son Gary in September 1969. Gary had been in Vietnam three months.

"He was flying a chopper and they got involved in a situation over there, and he and five others perished on that particular flight," Mason said.

Gary left behind an 18-month-old daughter and his wife. He was 23-years-old.

Now, his name is displayed on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C., as well as the traveling Vietnam Memorial wall.

Gwyn Howard also knows a man whose name is displayed on the memorial - his best friend. Howard said his friend was captured. They found his body three days later after he had been tortured and killed.

"I'm looking forward to seeing his name on that wall. It means everything in the world," Howard said. "I have the Vietnam experience and to escort it to the convention center for everyone to see it."

Howard said he wouldn’t speak about the war for 68 years, and remembering it brought tears to his eyes.

Vietnam veteran Dr. Barry Booth also choked back tears remembering the war.

"Vietnam was different than any other conflict we have been in. It divided our nation. Having the memorial here will help in healing both those who were broken in body, and those who were broken in spirit," Booth said.

The memorial will be open for public viewing in the Mobile Convention Center's north exhibit hall Friday, August 10 through Wednesday, August 15 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

A formal opening ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 11.

Though it's scaled down, the memorial is large, standing six feet tall and measuring 300 feet long.

"Everyone that sees it will take away from it a memory, and they will also leave a part of it with that moving wall," said Booth.