The Vietnam Wall visits Milwaukie

Over the weekend of July 23-26, 2015, the Milwaukie community hosted an estimated 6,000 visitors who came to experience The Moving Wall, a traveling half-sized replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.  The Moving Wall, based in White Pine, Michigan, was invited to make it's only stop in the Pacific Northwest in 2015 by American Legion Post 180 and the City of Milwaukie, partners in the national Vietnam 50th Commemoration Program. 

The Moving Wall was the centerpiece of the Vietnam Memorial Wall event, the first major event of the Legion and City's three-year commemoration of the Vietnam War.  The Moving Wall was set-up on the south end of the Milwaukie High School (MHS) athletic field and was open 24-hours-a-day during it's four-day stop in Milwaukie.  Daily ceremonies highlighted the sacrifice of those that served in Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and on the home front, and throughout the weekend the names of those who lost their lives in the War from Oregon and Southwest Washington were read and given full military honors.  On Saturday the "Honoring Military Service and Sacrifice Parade", featuring over 60 veteran, military, and community entries, wound through downtown Milwaukie and ended at MHS.  Following the parade a mid-day ceremony commemorated the local impacts of the War with special focus on the 14 Milwaukians who lost their lives in War.

Local media outlets generously reported on the four-day event and the stories of local veterans and the impact of visiting The Moving Wall were captured in print, in photos, and in film.  See the web links below to view the photos and watch the news stories.  The City's public access partner Willamette Falls Media Center (WFMC) and the Clackamas County Government Channel (CCGC) also captured the weekend in film and produced two powerful videos, see web links.

The Legion and City commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War from 2015-2017. The Legion and City would like to thank our many partners and supporters who helped bring The Moving Wall to Milwaukie, and we want to acknowledge the support and generosity of Milwaukie High School and the North Clackamas School District who went above and beyond in their efforts to make this community event possible - Thank You!