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Movable Memorial Is A Solid Reminder Traveling Through Fort Bragg

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FORT BRAGG — Some came to remember, others to pay their respects. A traveling tribute to those who lost their lives in Vietnam made a stop atFort BraggTuesday.

TheMoving Wall Memorialhas never been at Fort Bragg before. There are more than 58,000 names on the wall, and for many, what this memorial stands for is overwhelming.

"Think of some of the people you know, what their last names are, and you may be able to see," said Eleanor Shahan, who, like many others, came to visit the Memorial Walls' first day at Fort Bragg.

Shahan brought her daughter Ashley so she could tell her who the people are and why they are on the wall.

"At the other ones, people could put their hands on it and they felt like they were still in contact with the person, and they could feel like they were saying goodbye to them," Shahan said.

The Moving Walls were created in 1984 by a California Vietnam veteran who wanted to bring the wall to people who could not visitthe one in Washington.

Visiting the wall is very difficult for local veterans, like Kenneth Johnson, who fought in the conflict.

"There's family and there's friends, and there's just memories of friends and there's just too many names," Johnson said.

The Wall is open around the clock, and it will be at Fort Bragg until Sunday evening.

"I have a cousin who is on the wall, and I know at least 93, but probably more than that," said Vietnam veteran Gus Venditti.

The Wall was brought in by the veterans of the 173rd Airborne Brigade. They are at Fort Bragg this week for their annual reunion. Their activities culminate at the Wall Sunday morning at 10 with a memorial service.

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