Reading of the 58,000 Names

As we remember all those who served and sacrificed in Vietnam and as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Wall, perhaps one of the most important events taking place is the Reading of The Names. Over four days, taking 65 hours, nearly 2,000 volunteers will read all of the more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

This moving tribute will begin with an opening ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 7. The keynote address will be given by Gordon H. Mansfield, Acting Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, will be the master of ceremonies.

The hour-long ceremony will feature remarks by:

-Gen. James E. Cartwright, USMC, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; -Journalist Stanley Karnow; -Brig. Gen. George Price, USA (Ret.); -Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, USAF (Ret.); and -NASA General Counsel Michael Wholley.

Music will be provided by Jimmy Fortune, with Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent. The ceremony will conclude with the speakers reading names, thus beginning an event that will run from 4 p.m. to midnight on Nov. 7 and from 5 a.m. to midnight on Nov. 8, 9 and 10.

To read the entire press release, click on this link:

http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=604.