Vietnam Memorial Replica The Wall That Heals Visits Del Rio April 16-19
The Wall That Heals, carrying 58,281 names of fallen Vietnam veterans, arrives in Del Rio April 16 for a free four-day exhibit at 1117 W De La Rosa St.
The names of 58,281 U.S. service members who died in Vietnam will stand in Del Rio for four days next month when The Wall That Heals sets up at 1117 W De La Rosa St. from April 16 through April 19, 2026.
FOB Del Rio, partnering with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, is hosting the 375-foot traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial free of charge, with the exhibit open 24 hours a day from its Thursday opening through Sunday's 2:00 p.m. closing. The Texas Veterans Commission has highlighted the visit as an opportunity to honor Texas Vietnam veterans and promote access to their benefits.
The four days open with a Welcome Home Ceremony at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 16, featuring local veteran Bobby Barrerra as special guest speaker. Taps will be played at sunset each night. On Friday, April 17, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will offer scheduled tours, and the evening will feature a candlelight ceremony with The Wall's lights on display. Saturday, April 18 brings the Final Roll Call, acknowledging Vietnam KIAs from Del Rio and the surrounding community. The closing ceremony follows Sunday at 1:45 p.m., with Taps, before takedown begins at 2:00 p.m.
The Wall arrives in Del Rio by motorcade on Tuesday, April 14, when FOB Del Rio will escort it through the community. Construction begins Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m., with volunteer training that evening at 6:00 p.m.
Beyond the Wall panels themselves, the 53-foot trailer used to transport the exhibit converts on-site into a Mobile Education Center, housing photo displays and educational exhibits about the Vietnam War, the Wall, and the era surrounding the conflict. Visitors can also make rubbings of names, as people do at the original memorial in Washington, D.C., which was built in 1982.
FOB Del Rio has more than 200 volunteer shifts to fill, with most running four hours; snacks and water are provided. Those interested can find details at fobdelrio.com/thewallthatheals2026.
The event was made possible through local sponsors and an in-kind donation from Bank and Trust Del Rio, with music provided by Abracadabra Records.
Know something we missed? Have a correction or additional information?
Submit a Tip
