Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wall Travels Through Gilroy

A replica of the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Wall traveled through Gilroy , and was well protected with riders from the Patriot Guard and Eagles Up! guiding it through town.

The motorcycle organizations have traveled the country with the wall, reminding folks of all those who have served and died while protecting the U.S.

Although the traveling wall wasn't taken out of the large truck transporting it in Gilroy, there was plenty to see at the Shell gas station on Pacheco Pass Highway.

More than 100 bikers turned out to participate in the wall's journey to Cupertino's Memorial Park, with more expected throughout the day, according to Patriot Guard Rider and Gilroy resident, Cliff Bruner.

The traveling wall is a replica of the one in Washington, D.C., and  is 80 percent to scale of the original one, stretching more than 380-feet long. It holds the names of the 58,253 Americans who died in the Vietnam War, including the five that were added on Memorial Day of this year, according to John Barron, driver and crew chief for the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT).

Barron said they’ll be setting up additional displays for their Cost of Freedom Tribute along with the wall.

Displays from the Cost of Freedom Tribute include the commanders in chiefs of World War Two and the Korean War and an in-depth timeline of the Vietnam war. There will be a display listing all of the combat casualties for the conflicts from 1980 up to 9/11, with all the smaller conflicts like Panama, and the Beirut Bombing listed as well.

There will be six panels that have the gold dog tags for the casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan, which is current through Sept. 23 of this year, Barron said. 

There’s also a 9/11 panel with all the casualties listed, as well as a tribute panel to the 13 people who were murdered at Fort Hood. Barron said they also have pictorial tributes for police, fire and FBI casualties.

To honor America's fallen soldiers, Baron said every individual should live their life to the fullest.

“Celebrate the life and the freedom, that all of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice, have given us. Remember them, honor them, respect them," he said.

The traveling wall will be on display in Cupertino through Nov. 13, with daily leading up to Veterans Day.

Photos of the traveling wall's visit in Gilroy can be seen, .