Vietnam Traveling Memorial Calendar and Details

The Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation, in partnership with the City of Thornton, will bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to Thornton over the Fourth of July weekend.

This 3/5 scale version of the most-visited memorial in the country will be here from July 3 to July 7. The Wall will be available for public viewing 24 hours a day on those dates at the multipurpose fields at the Margaret W. Carpenter Recreation Center (11151 Colorado Boulevard, Thornton, CO 80233).

Please note: Congressman Mark Udall, originally listed as appearing at the Opening Ceremony 10:00 a.m. on July 4, will instead be taking part in the Presentation Ceremony at 6:00 p.m.

Calendar of Events

Thursday, July 3, 2008

• 10:00am - Motorcycle escort of Wall to event site
  • Escort departs from Graystone Castle at 120th & I-25, will go east on 120th Ave to Colorado Blvd, then south to site.
• 11:00am - 3:00pm - Wall setup
• 6:00pm - Wall open for public viewing
  • Jefferson County Brass Ensemble band performing
• 6:30pm - 10:00pm - In the Shadows of Heroes benefit dinner
• 8:00pm - Taps played by the Thornton Veterans of Foreign Wars

Friday, July 4, 2008

• 9:30am – POW / MIA Table of Remembrance ceremony
• 10:00am - Opening ceremony
  • Featuring special guest speakers Thornton Mayor Erik Hanson, Vietnam veteran Steve Greene and Colorado Secretary of State and Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation Honorary Chairman Mike Coffman.
  • 21 gun salute, taps.
  • Refreshments served afterwards.
• 6:00pm - Thornton Veterans Memorial presentation on main stage, featuring guest speaker Congressman Mark Udall.
• 7:00pm - City of Thornton’s Independence Day celebration
  • Event features parachutists, flag presentation, Longmont Symphony Orchestra, fireworks
• 11:30pm - Taps

Saturday, July 5, 2008

• 2:00pm & 5:00pm - Wall tours / history lessons
• 6:00pm - Boy Scouts of America flag retirement ceremony
• 8:00pm - Taps played by the Thornton Veterans of Foreign Wars

Sunday, July 6, 2008

• 2:00pm & 5:00pm - Wall tours / history lessons
• 7:30pm - Closing ceremony
  • Candlelight vigil
  • 101st Colorado National Guard Band
  • 21 gun salute
• 8:55pm - Taps played by the Thornton Veterans of Foreign Wars

Monday, July 7, 2008

• 8:00am - Wall closes, tear down begins