Vietnam Wall dedication draws thousands

The Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Wall, a half-sized replica of the National Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, was unveiled before a massive crowd of spectators yesterday at Fox Park.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, over 10,000 people gathered to witness the ceremony, which also included a fighter jet flyover, flag raisings, and rousing renditions of "God Bless America" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

A gigantic U.S. flag was suspended above Ocean Avenue, which was closed to traffic between Montgomery and Burk Avenues. Onlookers gathered in the street, on the lawn and in the parking lot in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center, and back along the Boardwalk. 

It took two years for the Wildwoods' Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 955 and American Legion Byron Pennington Croker Post 184 to raise the $120,000 necessary to build the wall, upon which the names of more than 58,000 killed during the Vietnam War are carved.

The memorial is located along Ocean Ave. at the southeast corner of the park, facing east (toward the Boardwalk), near the Burk Ave. corner. It is being acknowledged as the only replica of the national memorial.

In addition to the Inquirer article, more coverage can be found via:

Replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall debuts in Wildwood
(Press of Atlantic City)

Veterans memorial unveiled as part of Wildwood festival
(Cherry Hill Courier Post)

Emotional Vietnam memorial unveiling
(NBC 40)  *Includes video