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The Wall That Heals

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Data About NYC Veterans

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The Wall That Heals

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Post 9/11 Fallen Service Member Memorial


***THIS EVENT HAS PASSED ***

(Photos courtesy of VVMF)

The Wall That Heals is Headed to New York City!

Thursday|September 28, 2023-

Sunday|October 1, 2023

Flushing Meadows Corona Park

131-04 Meridian Road, Queens, NY 11368

(The field on the southwest side of the World Ice Arena)

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Schedule of Events

Motorcycle Escort: Vietnam Veterans and New Yorkers will welcome The Wall to NYC with a ceremonial procession into the city.
Date: Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Starting Location: Parking Lot 9, Father Capodanno Boulevard & Lincoln Avenue, STATEN ISLAND, NY

Setup/Assembly: New Yorkers, including volunteers from Queens College, Manhattan College, Wounded Warrior Project, and the NYPD will gather to assemble the exhibit.
Date: Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Time: 8:30 a.m.
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
World Ice Arena (The field on the southwest side of the World Ice Arena)
131-04 Meridian Road Queens, NY 11368

Commemorative Ceremony Honoring New York City Vietnam Veterans: A citywide ceremony that will include speakers from the New York City Vietnam Veteran community, elected officials, members of the administration, and Veteran Service Organizations, etc.
Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
World Ice Arena (The field on the southwest side of the World Ice Arena)
131-05 Meridian Road Queens, NY 11368

Disassembly: Volunteers will gather to disassemble the exhibit and see it off as it departs New York City
Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
World Ice Arena (The field on the southwest side of the World Ice Arena)
131-06 Meridian Road Queens, NY 11368

Traveling to The Wall That Heals

Subway

Take the #7 Flushing subway to the Mets-Willets Point Station. Stay on the platform level and cross the bridge over the LIRR tracks. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left and walk along the large path between the tennis courts. This path turns into a sidewalk, and the field behind the World Ice Arena is a short 7-minute walk.

Subway Shuttle Buses

Shuttle buses will operate between the Flushing Main Street and Mets-Willets Point 7 train stations and The Wall That Heals. Shuttles will run every 20-minutes between 8 am and 8 pm from Thursday, September 28 to Saturday, September 30th. On Sunday, October 1st, shuttle service will run every 20-minutes from 8 am to 2 pm.
Shuttle stop locations:

1st Stop: Flushing Main Street Station, Roosevelt Ave mid-block between Union St & Main St (in front of Chipotle)

2nd Stop: Willets Point Mets Station, Roosevelt Ave westbound (in front of CitiField)

3rd Stop: The Wall That Heals, Meridian Road (in front of World Ice Arena)

From the E or F train

Take to Roosevelt Avenue and transfer upstairs to the #7 train (Flushing-bound) subway to the Mets-Willets Point Station. Then follow the directions above.

Bus

The 48 bus goes to Willets Point, where it’s an easy walk south to the USTA. Or take the Q23 Corona and 51st Avenues and walk east into Flushing Meadows Park or the Q58 to the corner of College Point Blvd. & Fowler Avenue.

Railroad

The Long Island Railroad Port Washington branch departs from Penn Station. It ONLY stops at Mets-Willets Point Station during Mets games and tennis events (The Mets will be playing every night The Wall That Heals is here).

Car

From Bronx/Westchester/CT

Take the Whitestone Bridge to Van Wyck exit 12A. Make a right off exit onto College Point Blvd. Make right into the park at the Rodman Gate and after you pass under the highway, make right and drive alongside the park for approx 1/2 mile until you see our facility on the left. You can park under the Van Wyck Expressway.

From New York City:

Take the Triborough Bridge to the Grand Central Parkway (East). Travel approximately three miles until the I-678/RT-25A E/Northern Boulevard exit — toward the Whitestone Bridge (it’s exit #9E). Then take the RT-25A E/Northern Boulevard ramp toward Mets Stadium. At the exit ramp, make a right onto Stadium Road. Take that road straight until the second stop sign, where you will then take a left. Continue past the USTA National Tennis Center, past the pitch and putt. The field behind the World Ice Arena will be located on your right.

From Brooklyn:

Take the Brooklyn – Queens Expressway to the Grand Central Parkway (East) and take the Northern Boulevard (East) / MetsStadium Exit (its exit # 9E). Then exit at the Mets Stadium exit. At the exit ramp, make a right onto Stadium Road. Take that road straight and make a left at the second stop sign. Continue past the USTA National Tennis Center, past the pitch and putt, and the field behind the World Ice Arena will be on your right.

From Long Island:

Take the Long Island Expressway/I-495W, and exit just before the Grand Central Parkway, at College Point Boulevard. Take College Point Boulevard to Avery Avenue, and make a left onto Avery Avenue. You may park in the designated spots under the Van Wyck. The field behind the ice rink will be located on the other side. To drive to the front of the World Ice Arena, go to the corner stop sign and make a right. Follow that road until you get to a stop sign and make a left. The field behind the World Ice Arena is located on your right.

From Staten Island/Southern New Jersey:

Take the Verrazano Bridge toward the Grand Central Parkway East/La Guardia Airport/Astoria Blvd-East exit (it’s exit #39). Follow the Brooklyn–Queens Expressway to the Grand Central Parkway (East) and travel approximately three miles until the I-678/RT-25A E/Northern Boulevard exit — toward the Whitestone Bridge (it’s exit #9E). Then take the RT-25A E/Northern Boulevard ramp toward Mets Stadium. At the exit ramp, make a right onto Stadium Road. Take that road straight until the second stop sign, where you will then take a left. The field behind the World Ice Arena will be located on your right.

Become a Volunteer

We need volunteers to help with outreach and visitor services! If you are interested in helping us spread the word, or if you’d like to provide support at The Wall That Heals exhibit this fall, please email us at connect@veterans.nyc.gov. Please be sure to include "The Wall That Heals" as the subject line, along with your name, phone number, and the type of help you wish to provide in the body of the email. Thanks for your support!

Volunteer Registration Form

In Memory Program

Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam Veterans have suffered each year due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD/suicide, cancer and other causes related to their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died.

Please understand that while your loved one’s memory and service will be honored, his/her name will

not

be inscribed on The Wall That Heals.

To have a loved one considered for the In Memory program when The Wall That Heals visits New York City, you must submit your application to VVMF by August 28, 2023.

To apply online, www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program or download and fill out the PRINTABLE APPLICATION HERE and mail to the address listed on the form.

If you have any questions please email: InMemory@vvmf.org or review the VVMF Frequently Asked Questions section.

About The Wall That Heals

The three-quarter scale Wall replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its
tallest point. With the replica at this size, visitors are able to experience The Wall rising above
them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C.
Like the original Memorial, The Wall That Heals is erected in a chevron-shape and visitors
are able to do name rubbings of individual service member’s names on The Wall. The names are
listed in order of date of casualty and alphabetically on each day. Beginning at the center/apex, the
names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing,
picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back in to
the center/apex. The first and last casualties are side by side at the apex of the Memorial.
The replica is constructed of Avonite, a synthetic granite, and its 144 individual panels are
supported by an aluminum frame. Modern LED lighting from the top of The Wall provides
readability of The Wall at night.

The Wall That Heals is generously sponsored by USAA. Through a partnership with the
Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry, and Blue Beacon, the exhibit is
able to travel across the country. Hosts in each community provide for the location, volunteers,
and preparations necessary to replicate the experience a visitor would have at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C.

Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 700 U.S.
communities in addition to an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to
Canada in 2005. The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that
built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the
only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall
replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate
visitors and students, and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be
found at: www.thewallthatheals.org.

About the Mobile Education Center

The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer.
When parked, the trailer opens with exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile
Education Center telling the story of the Vietnam War, The Wall and the divisive era in American
history.

The mobile Education Center exhibit includes: digital photo displays of “Hometown
Heroes” - service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the
area of a visit; digital photo displays of Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through
VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later
died; video displays that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told
through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque;
a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War. The exhibits tell the story of
the Vietnam War, The Wall and the era surrounding the conflict, and are designed to put American
experiences in Vietnam in a historical and cultural context.

What to know before you visit:

Visitors can view the exhibit at their own pace.

Children are welcome.

No dogs or pets are allowed except for service animals.

There are NO concessions or souvenirs for purchase.