Replica of Vietnam Wall coming to Spartanburg. Where, when you can see it and pay tribute.

Spartanburg area residents will get to see the names of 186 service members from the Upstate who gave the ultimate sacrifice to the Vietnam War.

A three-quarters scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is coming to Spartanburg Nov. 9-12 at the Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, 500 Ammons Road.

Called "The Wall That Heals," the traveling exhibit has the names of military members from Greenville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Cherokee, and Union counties among the 58,281 men and women who gave their lives during the war in the 1960s and 1970s.

On Sunday at 9 a.m., there will be a reading of the names of 186 service members from the area. Closing remarks and the takedown of the Wall will be at 2 p.m.

"There are four guys listed on that wall that I flew with in the Air Force and didn't make it back home," Spartanburg County Councilman and veteran Bob Walker said. "We've got a lot of friends, a lot of people that are on there."

Cynthia Long of Greenville, an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War era, said the first replica of the actual Wall in Washington, D.C., was built in 1982, and "The Wall That Heals" is the fifth version that was built in 1996 by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Spartanburg events planned throughout the week

The agenda for the week includes an honor motorcycle ride on Tuesday, Nov. 7. The set-up and assembly of the Wall and wreath laying ceremony is Wednesday, Nov. 8.

The Wall is then open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, April 12 with educational tours by 1,600 local students on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Friday will feature a wreath laying honoring the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps at 7 a.m. and a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m.

Saturday will feature a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m., and a parade at 4 p.m.

During the week, there will be a digital, rotating display of photos of service members on the Wall and photos of Vietnam veterans from South Carolina who returned home and later died of Vietnam-related causes.

Vietnam: 'The forgotten war'

The Vietnam War was a conflict in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia that began on November 1, 1955, to the fall of Saigon in South Vietnam on April 30, 1975.

The heaviest fighting occurred in the mid-to-late 1960s.

Cobb said the Wall represents an educational opportunity for young people born after the Vietnam War era.

"Like the Korean War, it's becoming the forgotten war," Cobb said.

It also represents a chance for family members who never got the chance to visit the actual Wall in Washington, D.C., to find the name of their loved one, "reflect and get that closure," he said.

Veterans of that era said there was much political turmoil in the U.S., with anti-war protests, fights for women's equality and freedom marches for civil rights for African Americans

.Army veteran Craig Burnette of Spartanburg said those who served in the armed forces felt a sense of duty to their country. Still, many became disillusioned upon their return home to an unwelcoming populace.

"There was a lot of anger, subdued anger," Burnette said. "Some didn't know what their anger was about. Even at this late stage, I'm 77, I had an encounter with a Vietnam vet six months ago.

"He said, 'I was over there,' and he spilled out. Then he came up to me two weeks later and said, 'I'm so sorry I did that to you.' I said I'm glad you got it out."

He said many felt a sense of guilt, wondering why they survived the war while people they knew didn't.

"Was it luck of the draw?" Burnette said.

Burnette said he's visited the Wall in Washington several times, and each time the "feelings are immense and intense, then becomes quiet and peaceful. Sometimes you can hear actual crying."

Now, the 375-foot-long and 7.5-foot tall Wall replica is coming to Spartanburg. During its stay, it will be open 24 hours a day.

"It's called 'The Wall That Heals,' " Burnette said. "That's what we're hoping for. Stay as long as you want. It's a moment of reflection, feeling and peace."

Some road closures expected on Tuesday

The Wall That Heals and more than 300 motorcycles will depart from Palmetto Patriots Veterans Home in Gaffney at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, and arrive at Spartanburg Downtown Airport around 3 p.m.

The escort will enter Spartanburg County from Cherokee County on U.S. Highway 29 (East Main Street). It will then turn right onto St. John Street, cross over West Main Street, and continue on to John B. White Sr. Blvd. It will then turn left on to Kensington Drive, to Air Flow Drive at the airport.

Suggested observation points include: VFW Wild Cat Post 3447, 900 S. Granard St., Gaffney; Trinity Fellowship, 4281 Old Georgia Highway, Cowpens; Resurrection Baptist, 4970 S. Main St., Cowpens; Ingles Market, 2795 E. Main St, Spartanburg; The Home Depot, 2300 E. Main St., Spartanburg; Barnet Park, 248 E. St. John St., Spartanburg; First Baptist Spartanburg, St John Street side, 250 E. Main St., Spartanburg; and The Beacon Drive-In, 255 John B. White Sr Blvd., Spartanburg

The Wall That Heals will be set up on Wednesday and will officially open to the public on Thursday, Nov. 9.

Bob Montgomery covers Spartanburg County politics and growth & development. Reach him via email at bob.montgomery@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Replica off the Vietnam Veterans Memorial coming to Spartanburg SC