The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation is proud to announce that we will be hosting The Wall That Heals as Southwest Michigan continues to celebrate our great nation’s 250th anniversary this summer! Join us August 20-23, 2026 at Harper Creek High School’s soccer field complex located at 7290 B Drive North, Battle Creek, MI as we seek to reflect, heal, and educate our community with The Wall That Heals. The travelling exhibit honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. The event will be staffed around the clock by more than 300 volunteers and open to the public – 24 hours per day – with free admission and free parking. We encourage our entire community to come out and support our Vietnam veterans and their families!
Mission Statement: The mission of The Wall That Heals is to honor and remember those who served in the Vietnam War by bringing a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a Mobile Education Center to communities across the nation, offering healing, reflection, and education to all who visit.
“The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation is honored to bring The Wall That Heals back to our community. This is an opportunity to welcome home the 58,281 Americans whose names are on The Wall and honor the more than 700,000 Vietnam veterans still living today. Many of those Vietnam veterans and their families will never have the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. so we are bringing this moving tribute to them. We invite everyone to join us in remembering those who made
the ultimate sacrifice and giving our Vietnam veterans the welcome home they have long deserved.” - Colonel Frank Walker (U.S. Air Force, Retired) Chair, Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Battle Creek, MI to allow local veterans and their families a chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Viet nam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”
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 establishment of The Wall, and how the Memorial and Vietnam transformed the way our nation treats its veterans and service members. The three-quarter scale replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service members’ names on The Wall.
The event in August 2026 will once again take place at Harper Creek High School’s soccer field complex The Foundation is thankful for the support of Harper Creek Community Schools and our local community for helping make this a successful event. The Mobile Education Center exhibit includes two digital photo displays. The Hometown Heroes display highlights service members whose names are on The Wall and list their home of record within the area of the visit. The In Memory display highlights Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Additional displays include videos that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a timeline 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.
The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation encourages members of the media to contact Colonel Frank Walker (U.S. Air Force, Retired) to schedule a TV or radio interview ahead of the event.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday – August 19, 2026
5:45PM: A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 5:45PM on August 19th after student athletes from Harper Creek High School and Pennfield High School, along with members of the 110th Wing and the Michigan Air National Guard, come together to help assemble The Wall. 6:00PM: Volunteer training for the more than 300 volunteers will be held immediately following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at approximately 6:00PM.
Note: Volunteers will assemble The Wall That Heals earlier in the afternoon on August 19th. The Wall will be open to the public during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Furthermore, The Wall That Heals will be staffed by volunteers around the clock and will remain open 24/7 until Sunday - August 23rd at 2:00PM.
Welcome Home Ceremony Thursday – August 20, 2026
10:00AM: The Welcome Home ceremony will be held at 10:00AM on August 20th. The keynote speaker will be Army Specialist Five James “Jim” McCloughan who is a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. James McCloughan, of South Haven, was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor because of distinguished service as a U.S. Army Combat Medic during the Vietnam War.
Special Event Schedule Thursday – August 20, 2026
9:00PM: Taps Ceremony Friday – August 21, 2026 9:00PM: Candlelight Agent Orange Ceremony / Taps Ceremony Saturday – August 22, 2026 9:00PM: Taps Ceremony
Closing Ceremony Sunday – August 23, 2026
1:30PM: A closing ceremony will be held at 1:30PM on August 23rd. The Wall That Heals will be closed for viewing immediately following the closing ceremony. Student athletes from Harper Creek High School and Pennfield High School, along with members of the 110th Wing and the Michigan Air National Guard, will help disassemble The Wall following the closing ceremony.
About VVMF - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington D.C. in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies, and education. To learn more about the VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202393-0090.
Mission Statement: The mission of The Wall That Heals is to honor and remember those who served in the Vietnam War by bringing a traveling three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and a Mobile Education Center to communities across the nation, offering healing, reflection, and education to all who visit.
“The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation is honored to bring The Wall That Heals back to our community. This is an opportunity to welcome home the 58,281 Americans whose names are on The Wall and honor the more than 700,000 Vietnam veterans still living today. Many of those Vietnam veterans and their families will never have the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. so we are bringing this moving tribute to them. We invite everyone to join us in remembering those who made
the ultimate sacrifice and giving our Vietnam veterans the welcome home they have long deserved.” - Colonel Frank Walker (U.S. Air Force, Retired) Chair, Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation
“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to Battle Creek, MI to allow local veterans and their families a chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, president and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Viet nam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”
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 establishment of The Wall, and how the Memorial and Vietnam transformed the way our nation treats its veterans and service members. The three-quarter scale replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Visitors are able to do name rubbings of individual service members’ names on The Wall.
The event in August 2026 will once again take place at Harper Creek High School’s soccer field complex The Foundation is thankful for the support of Harper Creek Community Schools and our local community for helping make this a successful event. The Mobile Education Center exhibit includes two digital photo displays. The Hometown Heroes display highlights service members whose names are on The Wall and list their home of record within the area of the visit. The In Memory display highlights Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Additional displays include videos that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at the Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Washington D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam and a timeline 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.
The Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation encourages members of the media to contact Colonel Frank Walker (U.S. Air Force, Retired) to schedule a TV or radio interview ahead of the event.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday – August 19, 2026
5:45PM: A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 5:45PM on August 19th after student athletes from Harper Creek High School and Pennfield High School, along with members of the 110th Wing and the Michigan Air National Guard, come together to help assemble The Wall. 6:00PM: Volunteer training for the more than 300 volunteers will be held immediately following the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at approximately 6:00PM.
Note: Volunteers will assemble The Wall That Heals earlier in the afternoon on August 19th. The Wall will be open to the public during the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Furthermore, The Wall That Heals will be staffed by volunteers around the clock and will remain open 24/7 until Sunday - August 23rd at 2:00PM.
Welcome Home Ceremony Thursday – August 20, 2026
10:00AM: The Welcome Home ceremony will be held at 10:00AM on August 20th. The keynote speaker will be Army Specialist Five James “Jim” McCloughan who is a Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient. James McCloughan, of South Haven, was presented the Medal of Honor for military valor because of distinguished service as a U.S. Army Combat Medic during the Vietnam War.
Special Event Schedule Thursday – August 20, 2026
9:00PM: Taps Ceremony Friday – August 21, 2026 9:00PM: Candlelight Agent Orange Ceremony / Taps Ceremony Saturday – August 22, 2026 9:00PM: Taps Ceremony
Closing Ceremony Sunday – August 23, 2026
1:30PM: A closing ceremony will be held at 1:30PM on August 23rd. The Wall That Heals will be closed for viewing immediately following the closing ceremony. Student athletes from Harper Creek High School and Pennfield High School, along with members of the 110th Wing and the Michigan Air National Guard, will help disassemble The Wall following the closing ceremony.
About VVMF - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington D.C. in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies, and education. To learn more about the VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202393-0090.
