The Wall That Heals

It is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that travels across the country. The exhibit honors the more than 3 million Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. 

Hometown Heroes – Photos of service members on The Wall That Heals from Napa County.

In Memory Honor Roll – Photos of Vietnam veterans from California, who returned from Vietnam but have died since, honored through VVMF’s In Memory program. Submit your loved ones information to have their profile included in The Wall That Heals – American Canyon. Visit https://www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program/

The Gold Star Bike – Donated in 2012, it pays tribute to the mother who lost sons to the Vietnam War.

Left at The Wall – A display of items representative of those left at The Wall in Washington, D.C.

Directory and Kiosk – Search for names using VVMF's Wall of Faces on the kiosk or paper directories.

Since the Vietnam war ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) believes all those who served in Vietnam should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later passed the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized. 

With questions on how to honor your veteran, please contact communications@americancanyon.gov.

The Hometown Heroes program is designed to celebrate veterans who served that currently live in the community. With questions on how to submit your veteran's information, please contact communications@americancanyon.gov.

To honor our locals who have served, the City is holding a Hometown Heroes Ceremony and Recognition from 4:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18.

American Canyon invites individuals and businesses to support this initiative through sponsorship and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in donating your time, please sign up today.

Volunteers will be required to attend the Volunteer Meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15. 

Volunteer Shift Descriptions:

Assist Visitors at The Wall: Be a welcoming presence at The Wall That Heals and help our visitors have a meaningful and respectful experience. Volunteers in this role will greet guests, assist with locating names on the exhibit, help with photo displays and name rubbings and offer compassionate support to those who may be emotionally impacted. You will serve as the community's connection between the exhibit and our visitors, offering a listening ear, gentle guidance and heartfelt hospitality. Requirements: Volunteers should be approachable, patient and respectful. This position involves standing and walking for extended periods, and is ideal for individuals who enjoy talking to others.

Direct Visitors: Be the first friendly face our guests see! As a Visitor Greeter and Guide, you'll help welcome visitors and direct them to key areas of the event, including The Wall, the Visitors Tent and the Mobile Education Center. You'll provide helpful information, assist visitors who may need mobility transportation and remain flexible to jump in where help is needed. Requirements: Volunteers should be friendly, attentive and ready to support both guests and fellow volunteers. This position involves standing, walking and brief periods of light assistance. Comfort with flexibility and shifting roles is a plus.

Mobile Education Center: Bring history to life by serving as a guide at the Mobile Education Center. Volunteers in this role will engage visitors by sharing information about the artifacts on display, highlighting "In Memory Honorees" and honoring "Hometown Heroes". You'll help connect people to powerful stories and draw attention to key exhibits within the center to spark conversation, reflection and learning. Requirements: Volunteers should be friendly, confident in speaking with others and interested in sharing history in a meaningful and respectful way. This position is ideal for individuals who can stand for periods of time.

Parking & Visitor Assistance: Help ensure a smooth and welcoming arrival experience for all guests. Volunteers will direct vehicles to appropriate parking areas and assist with transportation to and from The Wall. This may include operating a golf cart or assisting with wheelchairs to support visitors with mobility needs. Requirements: Volunteers should be comfortable working outdoors and interacting with the public. Some roles may require standing for extended periods, walking or operating a golf cart (valid driver's license will be required for cart operations as well as additional training).

Visitor Tent: Help our visitors begin the experience at The Wall by serving at the Visitors Tent – the central hub for information and support. Volunteers in this role will assist guests with finding names using the website or name directory, answer general questions and monitor printed materials such as brochures and trifolds. As the first person many visitors will meet, you'll be the master of first impressions – a friendly, welcoming face and helpful resource for all who stop by. Requirements: Volunteers should be friendly, organized and comfortable using a tablet or printed directory. This seated position is ideal for volunteers who are unable to stand for long periods.

Setup: Join our Display Setup Crew and help bring The Wall That Heals to life. Volunteers in this role will assist with the full setup of the exhibit and Mobile Education Center. Tasks include unloading equipment from the trailer, assembling and aligning the base and frame structure, carefully placing the exhibit panels onto the frame by hand, installing lighting and setting up the Mobile Education Center. Requirements: This role requires physical labor, including heavy lifting, bending, crouching and extended periods of standing. Volunteers should be comfortable working as part of a team and able to follow set-up instructions carefully and safely.

Takedown: Be a part of the final and essential phase of The Wall That Heals by joining the Take Down Crew. Volunteers in this role will help carefully and respectfully disassemble The Wall, load the trailer and assist with site cleanup. This is a physically demanding but highly rewarding role that ensures that the exhibit is properly packed and ready to continue its journey to the next community. Requirements: This position involves heavy lifting, bending, crouching and sustained physical activity. Volunteers should be physically able to perform labor-intensive tasks and work together as a team.

Tours

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact communications@americancanyon.gov