Vietnam War Memorial stops in Xenia

XENIA, Ohio (WDTN) - The Wall: American Veterans Traveling Tribute made its way throughout Greene County Wednesday to the fairgrounds, where it will be displayed for a few days.

"We decided to try to bring it to Greene County and that started about 14 months ago. We've had tremendous support from businesses and citizens and veterans and wives and spouses," says Timothy Spradlin of the Veterans Services Commission.

The centerpiece of the tribute is a 380-foot replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. 34 of Greene County's own lost their lives in the war.

"It's a special time to honor and I'm pretty proud to be apart of honoring our fallen brothers and sisters and helping those to bring some type of healing and to bring unity as well," explains Vietnam Veteran H Wesley Barnhill.

Thousands of motorcyclists took part in the parade, including the Ohio Patriot Guard Riders.

"This is to pay tribute to the Vietnam Vets who didn't get a thank you they deserved when they came home. I was in Vietnam but I never served and I saw a little bit about what should have happened that didn't," comments Ohio Patriot Guard Riders Captain Ron Johnson.

And Hundreds of people lined the parade route to watch it pass.

"I'm here to support my father-in-law, he served in Vietnam and this is a great memorial. We've seen it before and it's a great time to be here and experience history. God Bless those that served and those that fell," says Jennifer Harphant of Xenia.

The traveling tribute will open to the public at the Greene County Fairgrounds tomorrow at 1 PM, You can see it 24 hours a day until it closes Sunday at 2 P.M..

The wall returns to the Miami Valley in May. It will be set up in Eaton.