University to host The Wall That Heals

The University of Southern Indiana is excited to announce The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along with a mobile education center, coming to the USI campus, Thursday through Sunday, October 29 through November 1, at the Broadway Recreational Complex on Broadway Avenue in Evansville. The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day and is free to the public.

The Wall That Heals honors the more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in the Vietnam War and bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.

“We are excited to be selected to host The Wall that Heals for the 2026 tour schedule,” said Joel Matherly, Director of the USI Veteran, Military and Family Resource Center. “I cannot think of a better way to honor our Vietnam veterans and their families than to bring this memorial to our community, where we can remember, heal and learn about the sacrifices of over 58,000 American service members.”

The Wall That Heals is transported from community to community in a 53-foot trailer. When parked, the trailer opens to reveal exhibits built into its sides, allowing it to serve as a mobile education center that tells the story of the Vietnam War, the establishment of The Wall and how the Memorial and Vietnam transformed the way our nation treats its veterans and service members.

“The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is pleased to bring The Wall That Heals mobile exhibit to USI and Evansville to allow local veterans and their family members a chance to experience The Wall,” said Jim Knotts, President and CEO of VVMF. “Hosting The Wall That Heals provides an opportunity to honor and remember all those who served and sacrificed in the Vietnam War and educate visitors on the continuing impact of the Vietnam War on America.”

The Wall replica is 375 feet long and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors will experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of The Wall's design in D.C. Visitors can do name rubbings of individual service members’ names.

The mobile education center exhibit includes two digital photo displays. The Hometown Heroes display highlights service members whose names are on The Wall that list their home of record within the area of a visit. The In Memory display highlights Vietnam veterans from the local area honored through VVMF’s In Memory program, which honors veterans who returned home from Vietnam and later died. Additional displays include videos that teach about the history and impact of The Wall; educational exhibits told through items representative of those left at The Wall in D.C.; a replica of the In Memory plaque; a map of Vietnam; and a timeline of the Vietnam War.

United Services Automobile Association (USAA) has returned as presenting sponsor for the 12th year. Over the past decade, they have traveled to more than 300 communities with VVMF. Wipfli, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is returning for the second year as a sponsor. Through a partnership with the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), the trucking industry and Blue Beacon, the exhibit can travel across the country. The robust partnerships and collaborative efforts between the campus and Evansville and Tri-state communities have helped make this display at USI possible.

To learn more about how to get involved with The Wall That Heals as it visits USI and Evansville, visit USI.edu/TheWallThatHealsEvansville2026.

Since its debut in 1996, the exhibit has been on display in more than 800 U.S. communities, including an April 1999 tour of the Four Provinces of Ireland and a visit to Canada in 2005. The Wall That Heals is a program of VVMF, the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. in 1982. The Wall That Heals is the only traveling exhibit affiliated with The Wall in Washington, D.C. and includes the largest Wall replica that travels the country. Two VVMF staff members lead volunteers on site, educate visitors and students and ensure the reflective atmosphere of The Wall. More information can be found at www.thewallthatheals.org.

About VVMF

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is the nonprofit organization that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (The Wall) in Washington, D.C. in 1982. VVMF continues to lead the way in paying tribute to our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. VVMF’s mission is to honor and preserve the legacy of service in America and educate all generations about the impact of the Vietnam War and era through programs, ceremonies and education materials. To learn more about VVMF, visit www.vvmf.org or call 202-393-0090.

About USI

Founded in 1965, the University of Southern Indiana enrolls nearly 9,400 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. A public higher education institution, located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, Indiana, USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions, Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education and School of Graduate Studies. USI is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engaged University and offers continuing education and special programs to more than 15,000 participants annually through Outreach and Engagement. A competitive member of NCAA Division I and the Ohio Valley Conference, USI offers 19 varsity intercollegiate men's and women's sports. USI is online at www.USI.edu.