Photos: AM-1220 KHTS

The Traveling Vietnam Wall is set up Thursday at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

For the first time in history, the largest traveling replica of the iconic Vietnam Memorial Wall will be on display in Santa Clarita for the Southern California community to honor those who sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War.  The Wall will be at the Westfield Valencia Town Center from September 26-29, 2013 and will be available for visits 24-hours a day during that time.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Vietnam Memorial Wall was built to visit communities across the country, allowing residents to pay their respects for the thousands of men and women lost, while raising awareness and starting conversations about the Vietnam War.  The Traveling Wall is a complete replica of the actual Wall in Washington, and includes more than 58,000 names.

“Santa Clarita, like so many other Southern California communities, is home to thousands of veterans.  We could not be more proud to welcome the traveling Vietnam War memorial to our City to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and pay respect to those who so bravely served our Country then and now,” said Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar.

The AVTT Vietnam Memorial Wall will uphold the tradition of care and attention to our country’s heroes by visiting the City of Santa Clarita, a community home to thousands of veterans.  Hundreds of volunteers have committed to help provide constant vigil at the Wall, ensuring Southern Californians can visit any time of day.  On its final day in Santa Clarita, a closing ceremony will be held with local Boy Scouts and volunteers reading the list of more than 58,000 names inscribed on the wall.

Additionally, students in the fourth, fifth and sixth grades were given the opportunity to submit their own personal essay on the Vietnam War and its importance to America.  Local winners of this special patriotic project will be announced and presented with scholarship prize money at the closing ceremony.

Friendly Valley Veterans Club is the official sponsor of the AVTT Vietnam Memorial Wall, and have partnered with local organizations to bring this special piece of history to the community, including the City of Santa Clarita, KHTS AM-1220, Westfield Valencia Town Center and the County of Los Angeles.

For more information on the AVTT Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall in Santa Clarita, visit SCVVietnamWall.com.