The Wall That Heals coming to Rutherford County

The Wall That Heals, the original three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial -- The Wall -- in Washington, DC, is coming to Rutherford County in November. Rutherford County is the only location In North Carolina hosting The Wall. It is the final stop on the national tour.

From November 12-15, everyone is invited to visit the wall to be located in the soccer field off Piney Ridge Road, across from Isothermal Community College.

The Wall That Heals Rutherford County, NC Committee is partnering with the official host site, Isothermal Community College and in collaboration with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

The exhibit will be open 24-hours a day, beginning November 12 and closing at 2pm Sunday, November 15, offering opportunities for people to remember and heal. The Wall arrives November 10, escorted by motorcycles. Volunteer orientation will be at 6pm November 11.

The free 24-hour tours begin November 12.

Lisa Marie Barrett, director and co-chair of The Wall That Heals Rutherford County, NC Committee, said donations are needed as well as numerous volunteers during the time The Wall is here. More information can be found at www.thewallthathealsspindalenc2026.org.

Barrett is hoping at least 500 cyclists will gather at the Harley Davidson dealership in Spartanburg, SC November 10 to escort The Wall to Rutherford County.

Dr. Margaret Annunziata, president of Isothermal Community College said, "We are so pleased to host this experience, both as we honor our veterans and the sacrifices they've made, and as we support the education exhibit to share the impact that our veterans have made for our country."

Vietnam Veteran Larry Walker, who flew helicopter medical vacs in Vietnam, recalled the toughest times when transporting soldiers.

Veteran John Carlisle said, "This means everything to me," regarding The Wall coming to Rutherford County.

The Veterans Committee, formed by the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce, began discussing the possibility of The Wall coming to the area months ago, said Cindy Cobb, President of the Chamber of Commerce.

The committee embraced the idea and as planning progressed, many of the members stepped into leadership roles helping form The Wall That Heals Rutherford County, NC Committee to help bring this national traveling memorial to Rutherford County.

Rutherford County is one of only 31 communities nationwide selected to host The Wall That Heals.

This will be the only North Carolina stop and the final stop of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's 2026 national tour this November during Veterans Week.

What began as a shared vision has grown into a true community-wide effort involving volunteers, businesses, civic organizations, veterans, schools, churches, and countless supporters working towards one common goal: to bring healing home.

Those visiting the wall will have the honor of hearing from Cindy Stonebraker Reed, President/Founding Director of Mission POW-MIA Thursday, November 12 at 4pm. Her father, Lt.Col. Kenneth A. Stonebraker's aircraft was shot down near the Laotian border near Quang Binh Province, Vietnam October 28, 1968. Cindy was six years old when her father went missing, one of the 1,566 still unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

Today, Cindy carries that loss into purpose -- traveling the country to ensure that those still missing and their families, are never forgotten.

Many people have traveled to Washington, DC to visit The Wall, but for so many others traveling to Washington is not possible, therefore, bringing The Wall close to home, provides the opportunity to stand before the names, make a connection and experience this tribute here in Rutherford County.

Families and friends are invited to visit The Wall That Heals to ensure their loved one's service is recognized, not only during the time The Wall is in Rutherford, but through a lasting online remembrance that can be visited from anywhere across the country for generations to come.

The Wall allows the community to:

• Honor the 58,281 service members who served with courage, but never returned home;

• Remember the 10 Rutherford County service men whose names are in the panels of the Wall;

• Share stories behind the names through the Mobile Education Unit;

• Teach future generations about service, sacrifice and the cost of freedom;

• Provide a sacred place for veterans and families to remember, reflect;

• To extend a long-overdue, "Welcome Home.

Rutherford County's heroes who paid the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam were -- Douglas Bailey, Rutherfordton; Steve Camby, Spindale; Henry H. Ford, Jr., Rutherfordton; Gaston David Godfrey, Forest City; Earl Marshall Hayes, Spindale; John Mitchell Hicks, Rutherfordton; Jimmy Leroy Johnson, Jr., Rutherfordton; Steve Edwin Lowery, Forest City; Michael Ray Smith, Spindale; Michael Ray Street, Rutherfordton.

The mission of the Wall That Heals local committee members are deeply rooted in purpose - to honor veterans with dignity they deserve, to preserve and carry their legacies forward for future generations and to provide a sacred place where healing can begin.

To make monetary donations make checks payable Veterans Foundation of NC: The Wall That Heals Spindale, NC, Box 73, Spindale, NC 28160 or call 828-351-4955.

Anyone interested in volunteering is encouraged to do so.