MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - It was one of the most unpopular wars in America. Vietnam veterans returned to boos and not flags. Nearly four decades later, the veterans are getting the honor they deserve.
In 2008, Governor Bill Haslam proclaimed March 29th Vietnam Veterans Day. More than 58,000 names of fallen vets are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall. The wall is in Washington D.C. but it has more of a Memphis connection than you think.
The polished black granite holds names of Vietnam veterans who were killed in the war; it’s a small way to honor those who sacrificed so much for our country. In November a replica of the wall was brought to the Pink Palace and that’ll be its new home. The complete wall that’s in Washington D.C. was made in Memphis.
"That's kind of what our museum is all about telling the history of the world and the history of Memphis together,” said the Pink Palace Museum Steve Pike.
A Memphis company called Binswanger Glass created the memorial. Bryan Carter worked on etching the names. Carter felt that working on the memorial was his way to give back to those vets who never returned home.
"I always felt that what they were doing was right. I felt what our government was doing was right and I did it in support of them,” Carter told abc24 news.
Kids, like the Turners, had family who fought and died in the Vietnam War. They say it's nice to honor them in Memphis.
"It's very awesome,” said 7-year-old Cate Turner.
“It's pretty cool. It brings back memories of when we went D.C. and helps people who don't know about the wall," said 13-year-old Cooper Turner.
The Pink Palace is free to all veterans March 29th and March 30th. Friday, March 30th is the national observance of "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."
