This September, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall will come to Westfield Valencia Town Center from September 26-29 and in anticipation of its arrival, Santa Clarita is preparing with an essay contest for 4th through 6th graders and volunteer opportunities for residents of all ages.

Youth Essay Contest

The City of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County invite 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students to participate in a special essay contest in which they must answer the question “Why was the Vietnam war important to America”?

The essay must be 500-700 words, typed, double spaced and one sided on 8 ½ x 11 paper.  All submissions will become property of the Friendly Valley Veterans Club and will not be returned to the author.

Essays must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2013 to one of three Santa Clarita Public Library branches (Valencia, Old Town Newhall, Canyon Country) or one of three Los Angeles County Public Library branches (Castaic, Stevenson Ranch, Acton/Agua Dulce).  The top three contest winners will receive scholarship prize money, including $1,000, $750, and $500 respectively and all winners will be notified by mid-September.

Volunteer Opportunities

The AVTT Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall is the largest traveling replica of the actual Vietnam Memorial Wall and during its time in Santa Clarita, residents will be able to visit 24 hours a day.  Volunteers are needed throughout the four days the tribute will be in the City to provide information to the public, assist with grounds maintenance, help with setup and tear down, dog sitting, and to support veterans who may need assistance during their visit.  More than 80 volunteer opportunities are available and interested residents should visit Santa-Clarita.com for additional details, times, and to submit their request to assist.

“I am so proud that our community came together to bring the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall to Santa Clarita,” states Mayor Bob Kellar.  “For some this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor America’s fallen heroes and pay their respects to the brave men and women we lost in the Vietnam War.”

American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) allows those without the means or ability to travel to national memorial sites to pay respect and share in the experience of honoring American heroes.

For more information on the youth essay contest, please contact Gail Ortiz at (661) 255-4939 and for additional details about volunteer opportunities please contact Susana Coronel at (661) 250-3726.