MANISTIQUE — The Moving Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — also known as “the Wall” — in Washington, D.C., will be at Manistique Marina from Thursday, Aug. 10, until Monday, Aug. 14.

The Moving Wall was first built in the ’80s, reportedly after Vietnam veteran John Devitt was moved during the dedication of the Wall in Washington in 1982. He and other volunteers constructed the Moving Wall for veterans and others who were not able to make the trip to the stationary memorial in the nation’s capital. Over 58,000 names of fallen men and women are inscribed on the traveling memorial, which is 252 feet long.

2023 marks 50 years since American troops returned from Vietnam. Schoolcraft County AllVets, which brings together all the organizations of veterans in the area, sponsored bringing the Moving Wall to Manistique. It was last hosted in this location in 2018.

After assembly of the wall at the marina, which begins at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10, the approximate schedule is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 10

– 4 p.m. – Wall Viewing and Military War Museum Tent opens to the public

– 6 p.m. – Opening Ceremony

– 9 p.m. – Taps bugle call

Friday, Aug. 11

– 5 p.m. – Motorcycles and military vehicles ride to the Wall beginning at Rogers Park on US 2

– 5:30 p.m. – Parade to the wall begins at Manistique High School. U.P. military organizations and color guards are requested to participate.

– 6 p.m. – Welcome Ceremony at the Wall

– 9 p.m. – Taps bugle call

Saturday, Aug. 12

– 12 p.m. – Proclamation Day with elected federal and state officials

– 4 p.m. – Remembrance Ceremony, reading of all U.P. service members fallen in Vietnam with ringing of a bell for each name

– 9 p.m. – Taps bugle call

Sunday, AUG. 13

– 3 p.m. – Religious Remembrance Ceremony

– 3:30 p.m. – POW/MIA Ceremony with a reading of Michigan names

– 9 p.m. – Taps bugle Call

Monday, Aug. 14

– 11 a.m. – Closing Ceremony

Rain is expected at points during the Moving Wall’s stay in Manistique, so the organizing committee has noted that this timeline may fluctuate based on the weather with safety as a priority.

The point of contact for events surrounding the Moving Wall in Manistique is Paul Walker, whose number is (906) 450-3021. Security volunteers may reach out to Larry Billings at (906) 450-4672.

The Wall will be available to view 24 hours a day from the time it opens Thursday afternoon until the close on Monday morning. The War Museum Tent will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday.