Opening ceremonies held for Vietnam Traveling Tribute Wall

MARCO ISLAND, Fla.- Opening ceremonies for the Vietnam Traveling Tribute Wall were held Thursday.

The replica wall was escorted there from Fort Myers.

Veterans saluted the American flag while singing the Star-Spangled Banner. They were joined by community leaders and military supporters.

“This is very, very special to me, I’ve seen the wall in Washington many, many times,” said Vincent Mannino.

Mannino is a Vietnam veteran. As a U.S. Marine Corps member, he served in Vietnam from December 1966 until January 1968.

“Vietnam was different and sad in a way because it didn’t have the support of Americans, United States, people did not support it, they got tired,” said Mannino.

Mannino,who now lives in Marco Island, tells WINK News having the tribute here is very emotional. He took his time to glance through it, but didn’t want look too closely at the names.

“I went through that in Washington and it’s… very emotional.”

Something, he says you just can’t explain.

“When you lose someone who is close to you, good men, your people, and you wonder if you could have done something different.”

This year the wall is only traveling to 15 cities and Marco Island is one of them. It will be on display at Veterans Park until Monday.