


The exhibit also includes a 53-foot trailer that transforms into a mobile education center a mini museum, if you will. “Especially since they never got a welcome home.” “It’s very important for our Vietnam veterans to get healing,” Koontz said. Kalispell hosted the wall that year as well.

They used to travel with a half scale version of the wall until 2017, according to Elaine Koontz, a site manager for The Wall That Heals. Prior to its arrival in the valley the wall was showcased in Missouri. Kalispell is one of 32 cities to host the exhibit this year. “Fast forward to today, it’s important that veterans share their story and that younger generations hear about this part of history,” Kodlick said. Allowing veterans to reflect, share experiences and heal is one of many reasons that the wall is important. It wasn’t until Kodlick returned from a tour in Afghanistan with the Air Force that his father discussed his time in Vietnam - decades after the war. Kodlick’s father, who now lives in Arizona, was an Air Force pilot in the Vietnam War. Wednesday’s work consisted of volunteers assembling the frame, carrying the panels and arranging educational displays, all under a massive American flag held aloft by an aerial lift. “The response has been amazing,” he said. Many organizations, sponsors and businesses have stepped up to assist the committee as well, according to Kodlick, including Glacier High School, local fire departments and members of area VFW posts. Planning for this year’s successful request has been going on for around six months, he said. Kodlick requested, through the memorial fund, for the wall to come to Kalispell both last year and this year. Almost 300 of those are Montanans,” Kodlick said. The nonprofit works to honor Vietnam veterans and educate communities on the impact of the Vietnam War. The wall comes to the valley on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the nonprofit organization authorized by Congress in 1980 to build the national memorial in Washington. “Vietnam is a part of American history that we just can’t forget,” Kodlick said. Glacier Park Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2522 is the proud host of the movable monument, said Les Kodlick, a member of the committee that managed and planned the event. The memorial will be open for public viewing, day and night, until Sunday afternoon. The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., sprung up Wednesday on the soccer field of Glacier High School, where it will stand through the weekend.
