A solemn and powerful tribute is headed to downtown Excelsior Springs, and the Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives wants every resident and veteran family to know about it.

This September, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will make its way to James E. Piburn Ballfield, transforming a familiar local green space into hallowed ground for five remarkable days.

The wall arrives September 9 and remains through September 14, 2026, open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. — giving the community ample time to gather, reflect, and pay respect.

What makes this display so striking is its sheer scale and precision.

The replica stands six feet tall at its center and stretches nearly 300 feet from end to end — an approximate three-fifths-scale recreation of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C.

For many families across Missouri, that trip to the nation's capital has never been possible.

This traveling wall was built specifically for moments like this one — bringing the memorial home.

The wall honors 58,303 servicemen and eight servicewomen who died during the Vietnam War.

Among them are more than 1,400 Missourians from nearly 400 communities statewide, including 19 from Clay County and five from Ray County — names that belong to this community, to these streets, to these families.

Equipment for locating specific names will be available on-site at Piburn Ballfield, off Penn Street and Broadway in historic downtown Excelsior Springs.

The wall does not arrive alone.

Running alongside it is Not Forgotten, a locally produced companion exhibit already drawing visitors to the Excelsior Springs Museum & Archives at 101 East Broadway.

Created by museum volunteers, the display tells the Vietnam War era story through the eyes of local service members and the families who held down the home front while their loved ones were away.

Museum leaders say the exhibit has sparked a notable increase in foot traffic since it opened, with residents bringing in photographs, letters, and memories that have shaped the display into something deeply personal.

The Not Forgotten exhibit runs through late 2027, ensuring this community reckoning with Vietnam-era history extends well beyond the wall's brief visit.

To make the traveling wall's arrival as dignified as possible, organizers are collaborating with the Patriot Guard Riders, local veterans, and the Excelsior Springs Police Department.

Volunteers will be needed to help with setup and daily operations throughout the week.

Those who served during the Vietnam era — or loved someone who did — are especially encouraged to get involved.

The museum is actively collecting names and stories of area veterans who served during the Vietnam era and welcomes anyone connected to that history to reach out directly.