For people who are not able to go to Washington, D.C., to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a half-scale replica of the wall is coming to them - specifically Palmerton Borough Park. Advertisements about the upcoming event have been popping up on routes 248 and 895 and in Slatington.

The banners show a man touching a panel of the Vietnam Wall with soldiers reflecting back toward him.The wall will arrive via a police and fire engine escort around 8 a.m. July 21. They will travel down Route 248 to the Palmerton Borough Park, where the wall will be assembled and remain for the public to visit through July 25.The event is being organized by the United Veterans Organization of Palmerton and sponsored by veterans' organizations in Carbon County, as well as donations from area businesses and residents.Steve Vlossak, a member of the UVO of Palmerton, said he has known about The Moving Wall for a while, but didn't pursue bringing it here until recently. With the approval of the other members, he contacted the organization, Combat Veterans of Vietnam, submitted an application for its visit and waited. He requested this summer, but thought it would more likely be next summer."We were lucky to get it this year," he said.The moving wall contains more than 58,000 names of those who died during the war. It is 252 feet long, 5 feet tall and V-shaped, just like the real one.The wall will be located behind the permanent veterans' memorial in the park with the tip of the V pointing toward Delaware Avenue. Vlossak said a 10-foot walkway will run between the wall and landscaping the entire length of the memorial.Volunteers who can help with the construction of the walkway, landscaping and base for the wall are welcome. A work crew will assemble at 5 p.m. Wednesdayto begin getting the park ready for the wall's arrival. Anyone who would like to volunteer should call Vlossak at 610-704-8086.The UVO will also need volunteers to answer visitors' questions, escort visitors, and assist with securityduring the event.The wall will be accessible to the public to visit any time during the day or night. The UVO is organizing a schedule of volunteers to work three-hour shifts, 24 hours a day. Vlossak said he anticipates needing about 40 volunteers each day.An opening ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. July 21 to honor its arrival. Then on July 22, the Vietnam Veterans of Carbon County will hold a service of remembrance at 6 p.m. The service will be under the direction of Harry Wynn III, past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 256 in Lehighton. The next day, a wreath laying and candlelight ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. July 23. People and organizations will be recognized as they place wreaths at the wall.Ed Moyer, commander of the Palmerton American Legion Post 269, said there will be five wreaths representing the five branches of the military and 18 wreaths for each of the servicemen originally from the area who died in the Vietnam War.Nine of the men were born in Carbon County and grew up elsewhere, and nine were born and raised here. Two of the soldiers are classified as missing in action.The men include: Lance Cpl. Dennis R. Andrew, Pfc. David R. Bartholomew, Pfc. Edward N. Beers, Airman 2nd Class George M. Bevich Jr., Spc. Neal G. Bollinger, Lance Cpl. Ronald S.H. Christman, Pfc. John R. Earley, Spc. Leon D. Eckhart, Col. Anthony R. Giannangeli, Pfc. Merlin C. Hollenbach, Pfc. Clyde R. Houser Jr., Spc. Paul C. Hunter, Spc. Charles R. Jones, Pfc. Larry L. Neff, Capt. Samuel L. O'Donnell Jr., Pfc. Michael P. Pavlocak Jr., Pfc. Clifford L. Sell and Maj. William C. Whitehead Jr.A wreath will be placed in front of the panel where their names are listed.The wreath will have red, white and blue flowers and a ribbon in the colors of the Vietnam flag. The serviceman's name and panel number will be written on the ribbon, he said.Vlossak said he hopes that seeing the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the war listed on the wall "will make everyone aware of the sacrifice these people and their families made."The event will conclude with the closing ceremony at 6 p.m. July 24 in the park. The UVO members recommend that anyone who plans to attend any of the programs bring their own chair.All of the programs are expected to be solemn, respectful services with honor and dignity. Everyone in attendance is asked to be aware of this.At noon July 25, the wall will be disassembled to get it ready for the next location.In conjunction with the event, the Palmerton Area Historical Society Heritage Center has a Vietnam War exhibit of iconic photographs, maps, and personal items from area veterans. Their hours will be extended from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day of the event.