Due to Shutdown, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica Arrives at Georgetown

Responding to the partial government shutdown, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Georgetown University have partnered to bring The Wall That Heals, VVMF’s half-scale replica of The Wall to Washington, D.C.

Since the government shutdown began on Oct. 1, the National Mall and many of its monuments and memorials have been closed to foot traffic. The walkways leading to and around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) have been closed with barricades and continue to be off-limits to pedestrians. As an unfortunate result, groups of visitors, including veterans groups traveling great distances to see The Wall, have experienced limited access, or have even been denied entry.

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, The Wall That Heals will be on display and open to the public on the lawn of Healy Hall on the main campus of Georgetown University. Shuttle busses will be available to transport visitors from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site on the National Mall to the campus. The Wall That Heals display will remain on campus through Columbus Day weekend. There is no charge to visit the display, and transportation to and from the National Mall will be provided at no cost.

“We all agree that people should have unlimited access to the memorials on the National Mall. Until that access is restored by Congress, we will continue doing all we can to make sure visitors can experience The Wall,” says VVMF’s President and Founder Jan Scruggs. “People from across the world come to see these sites, and we are so grateful to Georgetown University for its help in giving visitors a place to go.”