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Featherlite renovates VVMF's mobile exhibit

3/24/2009

CRESCO, Iowa (March 24, 2009) — The redesigned The Wall That Heals, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s (VVMF) traveling exhibit, is set to be unveiled in a ceremony March 26, 2009, in Washington, D.C. The Wall That Heals is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and mobile museum that is housed within a Featherlite trailer.

Cresco, Iowa-based Featherlite Trailers recently completed the renovation of the 45-ft. trailer that features new exhibits designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates of New York City, the largest interpretive museum design firm in the world.

The Wall That Heals has traveled to communities across the United States since 1996. The trailer housing The Wall That Heals was built in 2000, but the renovation and new exhibits give the trailer a new life and the opportunity for more people to connect even more closely with those who lost their lives during the Vietnam War. 

"The Wall That Heals and the traveling museum trailer are a vital part of VVMF's mission to preserve the legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, promote healing and educate about the impact of the Vietnam War,” Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president, Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, said. “The replica brings the healing power of The Wall into communities across the United States, allowing people who may never have the opportunity to visit Washington, D.C. to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.”

When visiting a community, the half-scale replica is erected on site with room for privacy, and visitors can interact with the mobile exhibit or get information from volunteer staff stationed in the trailer. The renovated The Wall That Heals include photographs of veterans, loved ones’ letters and items left at the full-scale Wall, historical timelines and artifacts. Nine doors on each side of the trailer lift up to reveal the exhibits and visitor’s information window. The exterior of the trailer also received a facelift with the trailer’s color changing from black to white. New graphics and more efficient and visible LED lights were added. The entire trailer can be lowered to allow for easier access to the trailer’s windows for wheelchair bound visitors. Updates were also made to the A/C system to better protect the artifacts, and the trailer’s suspension was rebuilt for a smoother tow.

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Although the traveling exhibit allows people to pay tribute closer to home, The Wall That Heals also creates interest and desire in people to visit the actual Memorial in D.C. as well as raise awareness of the VVMF. The unveiling ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m. on March 26, will be on the National Mall at the future site of the new Education Center at The Wall. Featured speakers include VVMF President Jan C. Scruggs and Tom Selleck, national spokesman for the new Education Center. The event is free and open to the public.

“Featherlite Trailers is very proud to be part of The Wall That Heals and helping to pay tribute to our country’s veterans and their sacrifices,” Featherlite Specialty Project Manager A.J. Mack said. “We’re also proud of the many Featherlite employees who put so much heart into this important project.”

Scruggs said, "The original trailer was built by Featherlite in 2000 and logs thousands of miles each year. The fact that we went so long without an overhaul speaks to the quality of Featherlite's worksmanship and the dedication of its employees to provide excellent products to all of its customers. VVMF is extremely pleased with this new trailer, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Featherlite far into the future."

A tractor donated by New Century Transportation will pull The Wall That Heals. Other sponsors include Disabled American Veterans Charitable Trust, Federal Express, GEICO, Harley-Davidson Foundation and Target Corporation.

Featherlite is a leading manufacturer of specialty aluminum trailers, including command centers, mobile medical trailers, display trailers, vending trailers, classroom trailers and 53-foot race transporters used by NASCAR teams.

For more information on Featherlite's mobile museums, call Featherlite at 800-800-1230.


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