THE SMOOTH, black granite walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., stand as a permanent monument to fallen heroes. While five million people visit annually, not everyone is able to travel to the nation’s capital. The Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard organization has addressed this by creating a traveling replica, enabling people nationwide to honor lost relatives and friends whose names are chiseled into the panels.
From Aug. 14 to Aug. 18, 2025, Winchester City Park Pavilion transformed into an awe-inspiring memorial. Attendees gathered to pay respects, placing flowers and wreaths while sharing stories of those who served.
Doc Russo, the “wall manager,” has been involved for 18 years. He drives the truck, sets up at each location, and organizes events with local officials and sponsors.
Winchester was the only Tennessee city on the tour, attracting visitors from surrounding states. The wall itself stood 6 feet tall and stretched 300 feet long, creating a 3/5 scale replica displaying all 58,311 names in synthetic granite.
“We do the Eastern half of the country,” Russo said. “We do about 18 events from April to November, covering about 50,000 miles a year.”
The event featured local political figures and musical entertainment from country artist Buddy Jewell. Visitors heard keynote speaker Capt. William A. Robinson, a former Air Force serviceman who endured nearly eight years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. Robinson emphasized how many fallen soldiers were just young men — more than half were just teenagers. The program concluded with military honors: a rifle salute, taps, and bagpipe players performing “Amazing Grace.”
Between 3,000 and 5,000 people visited throughout the weekend, according to Doc Russo.
Russo has a passion for this project as a Navy veteran himself who served from 1982 to 1990. His cousin, Ronald Russo, has his name on the wall.
“I made a promise to my aunt that as long as I was able, my cous- in wouldn’t be forgotten,” Russo said. “I tell his stories all the time.”
As visitors left that weekend, they carried with them the memory of those whose names were on the wall, knowing the price of freedom is never forgotten when communities honor those who paid it. GN
