The city of Weatherford, Oklahoma, recently dedicated along Route 66 a replica of Washington’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall and a wind-turbine blade converted into a mural to commemorate such veterans.
According to KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City:
The Replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall stretches 280 feet around Heritage Route 66 Park and came from American Veterans Traveling Tribute.
The wall was constructed with anodized aluminum and has 70 panels supported by a concrete frame and bracing. […]
In addition to the wall, a wind turbine blade has been covered in a mural by Tulsa artist ColorPop to honor Vietnam veterans.
The projects were funded by a one-cent Yes Weatherford sales tax.
The turbine blade has sat for years along an alignment of Route 66 at the Weatherford Wind Energy Center. Dozens of wind turbines have dotted the horizon around Weatherford for years.
Yes Weatherford posted a bunch of photos from the dedication:
The wall lists the names of more than 58,000 people who died during the war.
According to the Weatherford Daily News, Vietnam veteran Larry Williams was instrumental in bringing a replica of the wall to the city:
Williams said a big benefit of the wall is financial support for families who don’t have the money to travel to Washington, D.C.
“The financial burden is lifted from families. Instead of traveling from Amarillo, Texas, to Washington D.C., they can see a replica of the memorial wall in Weatherford,” Williams said. “It’s here and I’m happy about it and I have marked an item off of my bucket list.”
(Image of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall via Yes Weatherford on Facebook)