For the first time since 2010, The Wall That Heals , a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, has arrived in Corpus Christi. The 3/4-scale replica honors the 58,281 service members who died in the Vietnam War.
Veterans in Corpus Christi talk about The Wall That Heals
“This wall, as you can see behind me, is 374 feet long. We had to take up the whole soccer field. There are 58,281 Vietnam veterans, men and women who died in service and made the ultimate sacrifice, that are on this wall,” said JJ De La Cerda, Director of Veterans Services for Nueces County.
The community rallied together to bring the memorial to Corpus Christi, with volunteers working tirelessly to set it up. “We’re a very patriotic community. We need to take care of our veterans, especially our Vietnam veterans, who didn’t get the welcome home that they deserved. Like I said, it’s a labor of love,” De La Cerda Said.
For veterans like Bill Ingram, the wall holds deep personal meaning.
“I lost a brother to Vietnam in 1965. I went over there in 1968 and stayed two years. I’m hoping this wall is going to close up the hurt wound that’s inside me for years.” Ingram said.
Francisco Garcia, another Vietnam veteran, shared his own connection.
“I got friends here and some veterans that were with me in my squad that got killed,” he said. “So it’s an emotional time.”…