Final Salute: Palmdale Hosts Last Display of the AV Wall Honoring Vietnam Veterans

PALMDALE, CA - The City of Palmdale invites the community to experience a historic and heartfelt farewell as the AV Wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is displayed for the final time. The five-day tribute takes place Saturday, Nov. 8, through Wednesday, Nov.12, at the Palmdale Amphitheater, located at 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to attend a week of remembrance and reflection:

• Saturday, Nov. 8: AV Wall Escort to the Amphitheater at 8 a.m.; Opening Ceremony at 4 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 9: Candlelight Ceremony at 8 p.m. dedicated to the 76 men from the Antelope Valley who were killed during the Vietnam War.
• Tuesday, Nov. 11: Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m.
• Wednesday, Nov. 12: AV Wall Retirement at 8 a.m.

The display will be open 24/7 starting Saturday, Nov. 8 and is free and open to the public.

"This final display represents a profound opportunity for our community to stand together in gratitude for the men and women who served our country during the Vietnam War," said Mayor Pro Tem Laura Bettencourt. "The AV Wall has connected generations of Palmdale residents with the legacy of these heroes. This will be our last chance to experience this powerful memorial in person."

The AV Wall bears the names of more than 58,000 service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. For 16 years, it has traveled across the Antelope Valley and beyond, offering reflection and remembrance to thousands of visitors.

Following a recent vote by the AV Wall Board, this year's display will mark the official retirement of the memorial, closing a meaningful chapter in local history. Point Man Antelope Valley has served as the wall's guardian and caretaker for 16 years.

For more information about the AV Wall final display, please visit www.AVWall.org or call 661/267-5611.

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