CITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORTCITY OF COMMERCEAGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
CITY OF COMMERCE
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Honorable City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING HOSTING A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL WALL REPLICA Meeting Date: September 23, 2025
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council provide direction regarding the potential hosting of a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in the City of Commerce in either Fiscal Year 2025-26 or Fiscal Year 2026-27; Authorize the City Manager to take all necessary and reasonable steps to execute the direction provided by the City Council.
BACKGROUND:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honors members of the United States Armed Forces who served and died during the Vietnam War (1955–1975). The memorial consists of a black granite V-shaped wall inscribed with the names of the 58,318 service members who were killed or remain missing in action. It was dedicated on November 13, 1982.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and receives an estimated 3–4 million visitors annually.
To extend access to communities across the country, transportable replicas of the memorial have been created, allowing individuals who may be unable to travel to Washington, D.C. the opportunity to honor and remember those who served.
DISCUSSION:
Staff contacted two different Vietnam Veterans Memorial transportable replica organizations regarding logistics, availability and costs.
General Logistics
All Memorial replicas are to be displayed free to the public and open for viewing for 24 hours per day. Hosts are required to provide on-site physical security for the memorial from arrival through departure.
Additionally, volunteer support is a critical component of the memorial experience. An estimated 50–100 volunteers are recommended to assist with unloading and loading wall panels, assembly and disassembly of the memorial, and providing visitor support throughout the display. Host agencies are responsible for recruiting and coordinating volunteers.
Vietnam Veterans Memorials
The Wall That Heals: The Wall That Heals is operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the nonprofit organization that established the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The main components of The Wall That Heals are a three-quarter scale replica of the memorial wall and a mobile Education Center. The wall is 375 feet in length, about the size of a football field, and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point, while the Education Center is housed in a 53-foot trailer.
The memorial travels throughout the country and will be displayed in the City of Orange from October 2–5, 2025.
The event spans six (6) days, including the escort, set-up, public display, and take-down of the wall. The memorial must be displayed free of charge and open to the public 24 hours per day, Thursday through Sunday. An event coordinator will be on site to assist the host with the event. Merchandise sales are not permitted at the site so as not to detract from the purpose and meaning of the memorial.
The site fee for hosting The Wall That Heals is $12,000. The tour season runs from mid-March through November. The application period for 2026 is currently open; however, the organization is still accepting and reviewing applications and cannot confirm availability at this time. Applicants are encouraged to remain flexible with dates, and because demand may exceed the number of available tour dates, selection is not guaranteed.
America’s Freedom Tribute: America’s Freedom Tribute is operated by the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a veteran-owned organization that recently reorganized as a nonprofit. The main components of America’s Freedom Tribute include a replica of the memorial and the Cost of Freedom Tribute.
The wall replica is available in two configurations: an 80% scale replica for outdoor display, or double-sided walls that can be arranged outdoors or indoors. One configuration covers the size of a football field, while the other is roughly the size of a basketball court. The Cost of Freedom Tribute is included with both wall options and honors fallen service members from all wars and major conflicts, beginning with World War I, as well as a Global War on Terrorism Tribute.
The event spans six (6) days, including the escort, set-up, public display, and take-down of the wall. Site fees range from $13,500 to $17,000, depending on the tribute package selected. An event coordinator will be on-site to assist the host with all aspects of the event, and the City will cover hotel expenses.
The touring season is year-round and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Most recently, the wall was hosted in the City of Downey from August 7-9, 2025.
Below is a summary of the available Vietnam Veterans Memorial replicas:
Organization
Size
Availability
Site Fee
Additional Fees
Total Fees
The Wall That Heals
75% replica/ 7.5ft x 375ft
Organization is reviewing applications for 2026
$12,000
N/A
$12,000
America’s Freedom Tribute
80% replica/ 8ft x 360ft
Days are flexible
$13,500 - $17,000
Hotel Expenses
Estimated $1,000
$14,500 - $18,000
Fiscal impact:
The total cost will depend on the memorial selected by the City Council, ranging from approximately $12,000 to $18,000. If the Council chooses to host the memorial during FY 2025-26 (now – June 30, 2026), a budget adjustment will be required to cover the expenses. If the Council instead chooses to host the memorial in FY 2026-27 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027), staff will include the necessary funding in the proposed budget for that year.
Prepared by: Natalie Hernandez, Senior Management Analyst Respectfully submitted: Ernie Hernandez, City Manager
Fiscal Impact Reviewed by: Alvaro Castellon, Finance Director Approved as to form: Noel Tapia, City Attorney
Enclosures: Attachment A/Pictures