Wall That Heals exhibit to officially open on Thursday

(April 21, 2021) Threats of severe weather have caused a schedule change for the Wall That Heals exhibit in Ocean Pines.  

The welcome home opening ceremony is still set for Thursday, April 22 at 11 a.m.  

The ceremony will include remarks from Brig. Gen. Warner Sumpter, U.S. Army (retired) and chairman of the Veterans Home Commission; Maryland State Sen. Doug Peters; Maryland State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza; American ex-Vietnam POW Ralph Galati; and Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola.  

However, the candlelight vigil originally scheduled for Saturday evening has been moved to Friday, April 23 at 7 p.m.  

During the vigil, guests may walk along the wall, holding a candle, as volunteers read aloud the names of “hometown heroes” from Worcester County, as well as from other counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and Virginia, and Sussex County in Delaware. 

Yesterday, more than 200 vehicles escorted the Wall That Heals into Ocean Pines. Included in the escort were multiple agencies of local law enforcement, as well as veteran groups including Hogs for Heroes, the American Legion, and U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club. 

Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation President Marie Gilmore, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Director of Outreach Tim Tetz, and Viola each delivered opening remarks.  

"I can feel the enthusiasm [and] the excitement. This is really a great day," Viola said. "Thank you to everyone who came out to support this historic exhibit that honors our Vietnam veterans, and thank you to the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation for planning and organizing this visit. We look forward to the opening ceremonies on Thursday.” 

Gilmore thanked the escort for bringing in “this amazing, amazing display that we're going to enjoy all week long.” 

“This is so historic,” she said. “This traveling wall, this Wall That Heals does not usually stop in Maryland, because we have our own Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. But the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund thought that this was such a spectacularly patriotic area, that ... they brought the Wall That Heals to the Eastern Shore, and I could not be happier.  

“Thank you all for being part of it. You're part of history,” she added. 

Tetz jokingly thanked everyone for "not losing the truck" that carried the wall. 

"What you brought in here today was special," he said. "Not is it just a beautiful 53-foot trailer, but inside that trailer is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

"Twenty-four hours a day, starting [Thursday] until we take it down on Sunday afternoon, it's going to be open to the public. And they're going to get to come and pay respects and learn about the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Vietnam War,” Tetz continued.  

"I want to encourage all of you to come back throughout the rest of this week to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial," he said. "For the last 35 minutes, there was no question on the entire Delmarva Peninsula that something special is happening. And it's happening because of you. Thank you very much for being on that escort.”  

Public parking will be available at the site of the exhibit, Veterans Memorial Park on Route 589 and Cathell Road in Ocean Pines, and volunteers will staff the wall 24 hours a day. Additionally, shuttle service will be available from the parking area next to Taylor Bank on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Limited seating will be available during events and guests are encouraged to bring chairs. 

COVID-19 protocols are still in effect, including mask mandates and social distancing. 

Any other schedule changes or cancelations will be posted on the Ocean Pines Association website and social media, and the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation website and social media.  

For more information on the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation or the Wall That Heals, visit www.opvets.org.