About the Event - Overview

The simple appearance of the Wall draws thousands of visitors. The Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation is especially pleased that we have been able to secure the visit for the Wall during the city of Thornton’s Independence Day celebration. The city’s event draws tens of thousands of visitors unto itself and showing the Wall on the anniversary of our nation’s founding will make the event that much more special.

Calendar of Events

The showing of the Wall will be much more than a single event - it will span five days with a wide variety of separate events. Tens of thousands of visitors over the five day span will not only see the Wall, but also partake in these events.

Final planning for these events is still a work in progress however we have tentatively planned for the following events.

Displays / Special Presentations

• Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall open 24 hours a day starting at 6:00pm on July 3 to 8:00am on July 7.  Free and open to the public.
• Materials for “rubbings” of Wall names will be available (no charge)
• Wall information tents, Thornton Veterans Memorial information tent, and commemorative merchandise sales tents will be open during the following hours:
• July 3rd - 6:00pm to 10:00pm
• July 4th – July 6th – 8:00am to 9:00pm daily
• Disabled American Veterans Mobile Service Office
• July 3 and July 4
• CNN Warrior One Humvee
• July 4 and July 5
• Helicopter War Museum, Presented by the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
• July 4 to July 6
• National Guard “Patriot Chopper” (Built by Orange County Choppers as featured on The Discovery Channel’s American Chopper television show)
• July 3 to July 6
• The Chrysler Foundation - Our Host Sponsor
• Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep Vehicle Display
• July 3 to July 6

Thursday, July 3, 2008

• 10:00am - Motorcycle escort of Wall to event site
• Escort departs from 121st & Grant (old Qwest building - look for the large windowless building), will go east on 120th Ave to Colorado Blvd, then south to site
• Staging for riders begins at 9:00am
• 10:30am - 3:00pm - Wall setup
• 6:00pm - Wall open for public viewing
• 6:00pm – Jeffco Brass Ensemble band performing
• 6:30pm - 10:00pm - In the Shadows of Heroes benefit dinner
• 8:00pm - Taps played by the Thornton Veterans of Foreign Wars

Friday, July 4, 2008

• 10:00am - Opening ceremony
• Featuring special guest speakers Thornton Mayor Erik Hanson, Vietnam veteran Steve Greene and Colorado Secretary of State and Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation Honorary Chairman Mike Coffman. 
• Lighting of eternal flame.
• 21 gun salute, taps.
• Refreshments served afterwards. 
• 6:00pm - Thornton Veterans Memorial presentation on main stage
• 7:00pm - City of Thornton’s Independence Day celebration
• Event features parachutists, flag presentation, Longmont Symphony Orchestra, fireworks.  Taps to follow fireworks.

Saturday, July 5, 2008

• 2:00pm & 5:00pm - Wall tours / history lessons
• 6:00pm - Boy Scouts of America flag retirement ceremony; please bring your old flags for a proper retirement.
• 8:00pm - Taps played by the Thornton Veterans of Foreign Wars

Sunday, July 6, 2008

• 2:00pm & 5:00pm - Wall tours / history lessons
• 7:00pm - Closing ceremony
• Featuring special guest speakers Artie Guerrero, wounded in Vietnam and Jim Bracewell, the pilot who extracted Mr. Guerrero from the field. 
• A Brother’s Tribute by Jim Branaugh, Thornton Veterans Memorial Foundation Vice Chairman. 
• Candlelight vigil
• 101st Colorado National Guard Band
• 21 gun salute
• 9:00pm - Taps played by the 101st Colorado National Guard Band

Monday, July 7, 2008

• 8:00am - Wall closes, tear down begins

* Dates and times are tentative.

Conclusion

As we you can see, the showing of the Wall will be much more than a single event. It will provide the public an opportunity to see and feel this extraordinary memorial and help to raise awareness of veteran issues.