From July 24-27, the Jefferson Barracks Historic Site, 345 North Drive, will have a new piece of history joining its grounds: The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. 

In addition to the wall, there will be a “Mobile Educational Center.” The Wall That Heals will be free to the public and open for 24 hours a day.

The memorial honors more than three million Americans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, and it bears the names of the 58,281 men and women who died in the conflict.

“Hosting The Wall That Heals will be a proud moment for Saint Louis County,” former District 6 county councilman Ernie Trakas said in a release. “It will provide our residents the opportunity to honor those who gave the last full measure of devotion to secure our freedom and liberty and also provide today’s generation a better understanding of a critical time in our history.”

The public opening and ceremony will be held on July 24 from 10 – 11 a.m., and “Taps” will be played that night at sunset. On July 27, there will be a closing ceremony at 2 p.m. and a final performance of “Taps” before disassembly begins.

The Wall That Heals travels from city to city in a 53-foot trailer. The memorial replica is 375 feet in length and 7.5 feet high at its tallest point, and visitors will be able to do rubbings of individuals’ names from the wall. Since its debut in 1996, the mobile display has been to nearly 800 U.S. communities. 

The education center will feature a photo exhibit called Hometown Heroes, which displays images of service members who listed St. Louis as their home of record. There will also be an educational video about the history of The Wall, a showcase of items left at the memorial in Washington, D.C., a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the conflict.

“As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Department, this exhibit offers a moment of reflection and gratitude for the sacrifices made by our nation’s service members,” said county executive Sam Page.