Powerful tribute to Vietnam veterans coming to Plainfield Sept. 18-21

• Duke Energy brings nearly 300-foot replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial to Hummel Park

PLAINFIELD, Ind. - A powerful tribute to the more than 58,000 U.S. service members who died in the Vietnam War will be open to visitors in Plainfield tomorrow, offering Hoosiers a rare chance to experience a moving national memorial close to home. Duke Energy is helping to bring The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall^® to Hummel Park Friday, Sept. 18, through Monday, Sept. 21.

Why it matters

For many families, veterans and community members, The Traveling Wall offers a place to remember, reflect and honor those whose names are etched into the memorial - without traveling to Washington, D.C.

• The wall is a three-fifths scale of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Made of aluminum, it stands 6 feet tall at the center and stretches nearly 300 feet from end to end.
  
• More than 58,000 members of the U.S. military who were killed while serving in Vietnam are honored on the memorial.

What you need to know

• The Charleston Pavilion at Hummel Park, located at 5373 S. C.R. 700 E. in Plainfield, will be the home of The Traveling Wall during its visit.
  
• Starting at 6 a.m. on Friday through noon on Monday, the memorial will be open 24 hours a day, giving visitors time to experience the tribute at a moment that is meaningful to them.
  
• The memorial is free and open to the public.

Congressman Baird on The Traveling Wall

"For Vietnam veterans and Gold Star families, The Traveling Wall is deeply personal," said U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, a decorated Vietnam War veteran who represents Indiana's 4th Congressional District. "Every name on that wall represents a life of service, sacrifice and love of country. Bringing this memorial to Plainfield gives Hoosiers a meaningful opportunity to honor those who never came home and to remind their families that their courage will never be forgotten."

Wall visit is during Plainfield's annual Quaker Days community celebration

"Quaker Days is about bringing our community together, and having The Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall here gives us an opportunity to come together for something much more meaningful and to remember and honor the men and women who served our country and the families who carried that sacrifice with them," said Town Council President Robin Brandgard. "I hope people will take the time to visit The Traveling Wall, reflect on the names and remember the stories behind them."

Our view

Duke Energy provided the funding to bring the memorial to Indiana, and its "Together We Stand for Our Veterans" employee resource group is coordinating planning and organization for the visit.

"We are grateful to Duke Energy's veterans employee resource group for helping make it possible to bring this meaningful tribute to Plainfield, home of our Indiana headquarters," said Duke Energy Indiana President Stan Pinegar. "Those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country have earned our deepest respect and gratitude. My hope is that this memorial brings comfort and reflection to their loved ones and serves as a lasting reminder that their families, and their sacrifice, will not be forgotten."

Go deeper

About the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall^® is part of the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard (VVB) located in Brevard County, Fla. The VVB is a 501(c)(3) organization that was formed and incorporated in December of 1985. The VVB is a grassroots, community-based organization. In addition to the memorial wall, the VVB offers a color guard and a rifle team to participate in local Florida events. The nonprofit also supports a transitional housing facility that helps veterans in getting back on their feet.

Duke Energy Indiana

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 930,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana's largest electric supplier.

Contact: Tina Noel
Phone: 800.559.3853
X: @DukeEnergyIN