ENID, OK - A traveling 80-percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC has been retired to a permanent home at the Woodring Regional Airport in Enid, Okla. A dedication ceremony for the Vietnam Memorial Wall at the Woodring Wall of Honor was held at 11 am on Veterans Day – Monday, November 11, 2013.
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A great crowd estimated to be 2500 gathered together to pay tribute to the memorial of those that served in Vietnam, not the war itself. The project was spearheaded by Elaine Johns and took 2 1/2 years from start to finish.
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State Sen. Patrick Anderson had letter written by former President George W. Bush and Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. Anderson created a joint resolution along with state Reps. Mike Jackson and John Enns to make the Enid memorial something special. Gov. Fallin declared the Wall Oklahoma’s official tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War.
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The keynote speaker was Col. Leon “Lee” Ellis, author of the award-winning book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton in which he shares his POW experience and the 14 leadership principles that helped him and his compatriots resist, survive and return with honor.
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The dedication ceremony included Grammy-nominated trumpeter David Hooten, a 21-gun salute and special music from a youth honor choir. Ashton Edwards, a reporter from KFOR-TV in Oklahoma City, will serve as the master of ceremonies.
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Immediately following the dedication ceremony, attendees were able to search the wall for specific names, assisted by the Blue Star Mothers Chapter of Enid, Okla.
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The wall is 80 percent the size of the original in Washington, D.C., but still is more than 380 feet long and 8 feet high at its tallest point, made of anodized aluminum. It contains the names of 58,272 people who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. More than 900 Oklahoma men are listed on the wall, 16 of the names are of Enid men.
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Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin stopped by the Wall on a visit to Enid Wednesday night. She and her husband took time to meet with David Henneke and Elaine Johns. Mayor Shewey was also on hand to show off the memorial wall. Gov. Fallin helped Henneke fill a time capsule with artifacts from the dedication and also a few items that had been left at the wall including a set of dog tags.
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The time capsule will be buried in front of the wall in a flower bed. It will not be opened again until the year 2100.
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The Vietnam Memorial Wall is located at the Woodring Wall of Honor and Veterans Park. We are located one mile south of Highway 412 and 66th Street at the Woodring Airport in Enid, Oklahoma. The park is currently open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., seven days a week for all who wish to visit.
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Dedication Videos Here.
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