Iowa Vietnam wall being replaced

An Iowa-built replica of the memorial wall honoring Vietnam veterans is about to be retired. The wood-and-vinyl wall is 14-years old and showing the wear. Jim Dudley is president of the Iowa National Vietnam Veterans Traveling Memorial Organization. Dudley says the state’s replica of the black wall will be set ablaze next month. It will be set on fire in a ceremony, much like the retiring of a battered American flag. The first two panels of the new wall should be complete by then, honoring Iowans who were killed in action in Vietnam, those missing in action or held as prisoners of war. Dudley says the current traveling wall will be replaced in 2005. It’s hoped the other 18 panels can be complete by May 25th for the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.