"The Wall that Heals," a traveling Vietnam War memorial wall. Comm. Kenneth Marsh, a Robertsdale resident, wants the wall to travel to other locations within the county and is seeking additional help from the community to make the wall accessible to visitors.

Photo Provided

ROBERTSDALE — A local veteran and wants to help raise money to bring a Vietnam War memorial wall to his city.

Comm. Kenneth Marsh, a Robertsdale resident, approached Mayor Charles Murphy to help raise funds to have the wall, titled "The Wall That Heals," installed.

"Mr. Ken Marsh has approached us about trying to get the wall displayed in Baldwin County, and I thought the Coliseum would be the perfect setting for it," an email from Murphy read, which was presented at a May 11 Robertsdale City Council meeting. "He is seeking to raise funds for this display, which costs $11,000. I would suggest that if the council wishes to pursue this display, we commit to $2,500 and act as the depository on the donations and payables for this program."

According to Marsh, the same project was hosted in Mobile years ago, but it was not accessible to many veterans in Baldwin County.

"The biggest issue with this project is that 20 years ago when the wall was over at the Battleship, the regulations said it must be free to all who want to visit it, but it wasn't," Marsh said.

An informational packet contributed to the city showed the display includes a mobile education center and a 3/4-scale replica of the Vietnam War memorial wall in Washington, D.C.

"Our primary goal is to replicate the wall experience from Washington, D.C.," the document stated. "From Tuesday until Sunday, the hosts will be required to meet the needs of hundreds of volunteers and thousands of visitors for 24 hours each day, no matter the weather, crowds or other needs."

In addition to providing the location, the hosts will also be charged with enlisting the help of local organizations, including motorcyclists, law enforcement, veterans and other community service clubs.

"These individuals oversee the main components of the event. These primary responsibilities are categorized as volunteer coordinator, education outreach, site coordinator and escort captain," the document read.

Marsh is planning to have the wall travel to other locations within the county and is seeking additional help from the community to make the wall accessible to visitors.

"The location must provide for a somber and reflective atmosphere that can accommodate thousands of visitors while limiting the impact of outside noise, lights and other influences that might negatively change the visitor experience," Marsh said. "As a general rule, the site must be no less than 100-by-50 yards of grass or a soft even surface that will accommodate significant foot traffic, yet allow for staking of the wall."

Marsh said his biggest goal is to reach out to the large group of Vietnam veterans in the county and get each municipality involved in the project.

"Us veterans don't make a lot of noise. You see us on Veteran's Day and Memorial Day, and then we lay low until the next holiday," Marsh said. "It's going to take community support to honor all of the names that come from here."