A daylong series of programs will be held Saturday to honor veterans.
CARTERET -- After a five-year wait the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial Wall is on display in Carteret Park and large crowds are expected to visit over the weekend.
The wall is a replica that's 80 percent to scale of the original monument located in Washington D.C. It is 360-feet long and bears the names of all 58,307 United States military personnel who lost their lives in the war.
The daylong tribute Saturday will feature many activities, including a special performance by the elite U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon.
Also planned is a flyover by a Black Hawk Helicopter which will land in a feild next to the event, a Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Ceremony at 3 p.m. and a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. to honor those who fought in and/or sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War. At the vigil, there will be a reading of the names of the 1,487 New Jersey Vietnam Veterans killed in action.
Many people could be seen Friday using paper and pencil to trace a name of a loved one or a friend, including the Rev. John Michalczak from St. Adalbert Church in Elizabeth. With tears in his eyes, he traced the name of his friend, US Army solider George M. Lyons, who lost his life in 1969 with only two weeks left in his tour.
Visitor Gloria Tooman, from Monmouth Beach, explained Friday that she honors the dead by stopping to touch a name and saying a little prayer as she walks along the length of the wall.
Onsite parking is limited and visitors are encouraged to use the available shuttles from the following locations: Carteret Public Library at 100 Cooke Ave. and the Carteret VFW Post #2314 at 289 Pershing Ave.
The exhibit is free and will be open 24 hours a day until 3 p.m. Sunday.
Robert Sciarrino may be reached at bsciarrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SciarrinoRobert. Find NJ.com on Facebook.