Item No.
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
BY: RUBY PICON, MANAGEMENT ANALYST
DATE: SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION REGARDING HOSTING A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL
REPLICA
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City Council will discuss hosting a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in Downey.
Replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial provide individuals and communities an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served in the Vietnam War.
RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council:
Provide staff direction regarding hosting a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica.
BACKGROUND
At the May 28, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council requested staff to bring back a report to discuss options for hosting a Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica in Downey.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a national monument located in the National Mall in Washington D.C. that honors members of the U.S. armed forces who served and died in the Vietnam War from 1955 – 1975. The memorial is a black granite V-shaped wall inscribed with the names of the 58,318 service members killed or missing in action and was dedicated on November 13, 1982.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is open 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, and attracts approximately 3-4 million visitors each year.
Transportable replicas of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial were created so those who are unable to travel to Washington, D.C., can honor and remember all those who served.
ANALYSIS
Staff contacted four different Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica organizations regarding logistics, availability, and costs.
DISCUSSION REGARDING A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL REPLICA SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
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2 General Logistics
All Memorial replicas are to be displayed free to the public and open for viewing 24 hours per day. Hosts are required to provide on-site physical security for the memorial from arrival to departure.
Additionally, volunteer support is an integral part of the memorial experience. An estimated 50-100 volunteers are recommended to help unload and load panels, assemble and dissemble wall, and greet and assist visitors throughout display. Host agencies are responsible for recruiting volunteers.
Vietnam Veterans Memorials
Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall: The Antelope Valley Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall, operated by the non-profit Point Man Antelope Valley Ministry, is a half- scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The wall was dedicated in November 2009 and has traveled throughout Southern California, including Pico Rivera in conjunction with its 2024 Memorial Day observance. The wall has been reserved for display for Memorial Day and Veterans Day 2025 in other cities, and will be retired after 2025. Staff was notified the wall is not available for any additional dates.
The Wall That Heals: The Wall That Heals is operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the non-profit organization that founded the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The main components of The Wall That Heals are a three-quarter scale replica and a mobile Education Center. The wall is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its highest point and the Education Center is a 53-foot trailer. The exterior of the trailer features a timeline, photos of local service members honored on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial The memorial travels throughout the country and was recently displayed in Baldwin Park on March 14 – 21, 2024 and in Gardena on April 4 – 7, 2024.
The memorial is to be displayed free to the public and open for viewing 24 hours per day from Thursday through Sunday. Merchandise sales are not permitted at the site as not distract 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 2025 is open until September 30, 2024. The organization is not able to confirm availability for 2025, as it is currently accepting and reviewing applications. Applicants are required to provide three potential dates in their application. Lastly, there may be more applications received than available tour dates.
America’s Freedom Tribute: The memorial is operated by the American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a veteran-owned for-profit small business that recently reorganized as a non-profit organization. The main components of the America’s Freedom Tribute are a
DISCUSSION REGARDING A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL REPLICA SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
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3 replica of the memorial and the Cost of Freedom Tribute. The wall replica comes in two sizes. An 80% replica to be displayed outdoors, or double-sided walls which can be broken up and displayed outdoors or indoors. The Cost of Freedom Tribute is included with both walls, and honors fallen service members from all wars and major conflicts beginning with World War I.
The site free for hosting the 80% replica is $11,250, and the site fee for the double-sided walls replica is $9,250. In addition, the host is required to provide hotel accommodations for organization staff. The organization also requires merchandise sales and use of donation boxes during the event. If merchandise is not permitted, $2,000 will be added to the total price.
Display schedule is at the discretion of the host. The only scheduling recommendation by the organization is the 80% replica be displayed for a minimum of three days, and the double-sided walls for two days.
The touring season is year-round and applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
Both replicas are currently available for Vietnam War Veterans Day 2025, and the outside wall is available for Veterans Day 2025. Both replicas have been reserved for Memorial Day 2025 by other agencies.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall: Operated by the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard, a non-profit organization in Brevard County, Florida, the Vietnam Traveling Wallis a 60% replica and stands at 6 feet and almost 300 feet in length. The organization confirmed they do not travel to the Western United States.
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 2025
season.
Applicant
provides
three
preferred
dates.
$12,000 N/A $12,000
America’s
Traveling
Tribute
80%
replica /
Reserved
Memorial
Day 2025.
Available
$11,250
Hotel Fees
($450) and
$2,000 (if
merchandise
$11,700 –
13,700
DISCUSSION REGARDING A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL REPLICA SEPTEMBER 24, 2024
PAGE 4
4 8ft x
360ft
Vietnam
War
Veterans
Day and
Veterans
Day 2025.
sales not
permitted)
America’s
Traveling
Tribute
Double-
sided
walls /
6ft x
360ft
Reserved
Memorial
Day and
Veterans
Day 2025.
Available
Vietnam
War
Veterans
Day 2025.
$9,250
Hotel Fees
($450) and
$2,000 (if
merchandise
sales not
permitted)
$9,700-
11,700
Staff has confirmed with the Parks and Recreation Department that all three walls could be hosted at City parks, more specifically Furman Park being available for Veterans Day 2025 and Discovery Park for Vietnam War Veterans Day and Memorial Day.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
Public Engagement
FISCAL IMPACT
No fiscal impact at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Photos of Vietnam Veterans Memorial replicas
The Wall that Heals
ATTACHMENT A
America’s Freedom Tribute
80% replica
Double sided walls replica
Cost of Freedom Exhibit
(with both replicas)