October 8, 2025 — The sound of rumbling engines filled the quiet country roads between Fowler and Clovis Tuesday afternoon as more than a hundred motorcycle riders formed a solemn escort for a very special cargo — The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The convoy, led by law enforcement and veterans from across the Central Valley, departed Fowler’s Worship Centre Church just after noon, making its way north to David McDonald Park in Clovis, where the traveling memorial will be open to the public around the clock from October 9–12, 2025.
For many, the ride wasn’t just an escort, it was a personal tribute.
“I can’t really put into words exactly what it feels like,” said Dustin Chappell, Military Counselor for Grand Canyon University and Road Guard for the procession. “It was an honor to escort the wall here and to know Clovis was awarded the opportunity to host it. Helping veterans gives me my purpose, and this, right here, is what that purpose is about.”
As Road Guard, Chappell was one of the lead riders guiding the hundreds-strong convoy through city streets and open highways, ensuring the wall’s arrival was done with precision, pride, and respect.
Years in the Making
Bringing The Wall That Heals to Clovis has been a five-year effort by local organizers, including the Fresno City & County Historical Society, the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, and countless volunteers who believed the Central Valley was the right home for this moment of remembrance.
“This was really the most special way to bring the wall here,” said Elizabeth Laval, President of the Fresno City & County Historical Society. “We started in Fowler with over a hundred riders — many of them Vietnam vets or family members — and along the route, there were schoolchildren waving flags. It’s nice to see patriotic kids again.”
Laval said the community’s dedication helped secure Clovis’ spot on the exclusive national tour. “They’ve been lobbying for five years to get this here,” she said. “We have one of the highest numbers of veterans in the state, and 409 of our Central Valley friends and family have their names on that wall.”
A Wall of Healing
The exhibit, created by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF), features a 375-foot-long replica of the original memorial in Washington, D.C., inscribed with the names of 58,281 men and women who gave their lives in the Vietnam War. The mobile Education Center that travels with it offers displays honoring local service members, including photos of veterans from the area and artifacts left at the original memorial in Washington.
For Lorenzo Rios, CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District and a veteran himself, the wall’s arrival represents more than remembrance, it’s a moment for reflection and healing.
“It’s an honor to make sure our fallen heroes are never forgotten,” Rios said. “There are 409 Central Valley heroes on that wall. We’re bringing them home, and I hope this allows for some healing, not only for our veterans, but for our country.”
Rios said the wall’s message extends beyond the past. “When this wall was constructed, it was during a time our nation was deeply divided,” he said. “I see similar tensions today. My hope is that this wall helps us remember that we can disagree without hate. We’re neighbors first.”
A Community United
Over the four-day display at David McDonald Park, The Wall That Heals will be open 24 hours a day, free to the public. Visitors are invited to attend special ceremonies, including the Welcome Home Ceremony on Thursday, October 9 at 6 p.m., and the Agent Orange Awareness Ceremony on Friday, October 10 at 7 p.m.
Laval said she expects anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 visitors to visit the memorial during its stay. “For those of us who remember Vietnam, we remember that many who served didn’t get a hero’s welcome home,” she said. “After 50 years, this is finally that welcome home.”
Chappell echoed that sentiment, urging the community to show up. “Just come,” he said. “Out of respect for those who gave their lives. There’s a saying, ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ Just being here is a way to honor them.”
For Rios, the message is clear. “Make America great isn’t just a slogan,” he said. “It’s a duty. And it starts with one person choosing to make their community better. This wall reminds us why that matters.”
The Wall That Heals will be on display October 9–12, 2025, at David McDonald Park, Coventry Ave., Clovis. Admission is free and open to the public 24 hours a day.