Iowa County Needs 127 Volunteers for Vietnam Memorial

Pottawattamie County, Iowa is calling on volunteers to help host a traveling tribute to Vietnam veterans that will touch their community in May 2026.

The Wall That Heals, a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., will spend four days at Lewis Central High School. The exhibit includes a mobile education center that teaches visitors about the war and honors the 58,000 names etched on the memorial.

Thanks to enthusiastic community response, many volunteer positions are already filled. But organizers still need people to cover 127 remaining shifts to ensure the memorial is staffed around the clock during its visit.

Volunteer roles range from greeting visitors and staffing the education center to providing overnight presence at the wall. Some volunteers will help with setup and takedown, while others will serve as parking monitors or shift leads. The beauty of the opportunity is its flexibility: you can sign up for a single shift or multiple time slots based on your availability.

Why This Inspires

This isn't just about filling volunteer slots. Every person who steps up helps ensure that families, veterans, and community members can experience this moving tribute in a welcoming, respectful environment.

The memorial traveling to smaller communities means people who might never make it to Washington D.C. can still honor loved ones and learn about this important chapter of American history. For veterans and Gold Star families in rural Iowa, having the wall come to them transforms access to healing and remembrance.

On May 20, motorcycle riders will have a special opportunity to participate in an escort motorcade. The procession will accompany The Wall That Heals from the East Pottawattamie County Fairgrounds in Avoca to its final destination, creating a powerful rolling tribute to fallen heroes.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund manages the traveling exhibit, which has visited communities across America since 1996. Each stop relies entirely on local volunteers who believe in preserving memory and serving those who served.

Whether you have a personal connection to the Vietnam War or simply want to give back, your few hours can help create meaningful moments for hundreds of visitors.