SPOKANE — A traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial has arrived in Spokane, giving locals a chance to experience the powerful tribute without taking a flight to Washington, D.C.
‘The Wall That Heals’ arrived in Spokane following a solemn ceremony Monday morning at the Spokane Tribe Resort and Casino that honored Native Americans who served their country.
The mobile memorial, packed inside a semi-truck, was the centerpiece of a procession that wound through Cheney and Medical Lake as community members lined the route to pay their respects.
“These young men and women went abroad … and some didn’t come back,” a speaker said during the morning ceremony, which featured drumming and a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
Combat Veteran Riders provided a motorcycle escort for the memorial as it made its way to the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. The procession drew families from across the community who wanted to witness the tribute.
Mercedes Nokes, who watched the procession with her family, said she brought her children “just to show them the importance of honoring our country and the people who fought for our country.”
Spokane Fire Department’s Justin DeRuyter said the memorial serves as a reminder of the sacrifice made by our veterans.
“As time goes on, sometimes we forget the sacrifices made and the impacts those events have. And so it’s just important to recognize,” he said.
Veterans say the memorial’s significance extends far beyond the Vietnam War era, serving as a tribute to all who have served in the military.
“It means a lot to the Vietnam veterans, even to children of Vietnam veterans. You ask any veteran, it doesn’t matter if it’s World War I or the Afghan or Iraq War, it means something to everybody,” said Elvis, a Combat Veteran Rider who participated in the escort.
The mobile museum will be staged Wednesday at the Dwight Merkel Sports Complex. The public is invited to enjoy the exhibit at no cost until it moves onto Ellensburg on Sunday.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.