Traveling Replica Of Vietnam War Memorial In Cupertino
CUPERTINO (KCBS)— A traveling replica of the Washington Vietnam Memorial Wall is in Cupertino for a five-day visit that coincides with this year's Veterans Day weekend.
Cupertino resident Corky Axelson fought in Vietnam for 16 months.
"It's very emotional for me to be here," Axelson said.
He said he knew many that died in the war and seeing the names on the walls, which is about 80 percent the size of the actual Vietnam Memorial in Washington, brought tears to his eyes.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"I've seen the one in D.C. and this one here brings it all back. It's sort of like a way you can touch some of the people that you knew," Axelson said before his voice broke up.
The 380 foot-long, eight foot-high wall lists the names of 58,272 Americans who lost their lives in the line of duty during the Vietnam War.
It's the center piece of a traveling tribute called, The Cost of Freedom.
Director and Iraq War Vet Kevin Weatherly, expects about 7,000 visitors by the end of the memorial's stint in the South Bay.
"I met a guy who was a pall bearer at another guy's funeral in 1965. It was the first time he'd seen his buddy— this weekend when he touched his name on the wall," Weatherly said.
The wall at Memorial Park is one of four traveling Vietnam War Memorial replicas that visit communities throughout the country.
(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
