A man kneels before The Wall That Heals in Myrtle Beach, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial.
A half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial has begun its healing work in Myrtle Beach.
Grand Strand veterans groups held an opening ceremony Wednesday for a visit by The Wall That Heals. It's a traveling exhibit sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the group authorized by Congress to build the original wall in Washington, D.C.
The opening ceremony included a POW/MIA missing man table, representing those from each branch of the nation's military service who were held as prisoner of war or reported missing in action in Vietnam.
The leader of the veterans group that brought the wall to Myrtle Beach says the replica's visit is the perfect way to kick off the city's Military Appreciation Days.
"When I was attending the Military Appreciation Days committee meeting I said, what a way to start that weekend off, with bringing the wall here. I contacted Washington D.C. and they were very nice, they fit me into the schedule," said Kris Tourtellotte of the Veterans Welcome Home Resource Center in Little River.
One Vietnam veteran who now calls Myrtle Beach home feels a connection with the wall unlike most of those who visit the display.
Ray Piuma was in the Navy during the war, part of a five-man crew on board an Assault Support Patrol Boat, also known as an Alpha Boat.
In March, 1968, while in Phong Dinh province in South Vietnam, Ray's boat captain, Leslie Murray, was hit by enemy fire.
His name is now on the wall.
"Not too long before we come home he got shot with a rocket when we were out on mission," Piuma said. "He was a nice guy and I miss him a lot."
Piuma served an 11-month tour in Vietnam and often reflects on the time he spent there. "Anybody who served over there does," he said.
The U.S. went into Vietnam with the best of intentions, Piuma said, but failed to wage an effective war.
"Actually they wouldn't let us fight our war. There were too many restrictions on us and too many guys got killed because of those restrictions."
Still, any bitterness Piuma might feel about the war is long past. During the wall's stay in Myrtle Beach, Piuma will volunteer his time answering questions for visitors about the replica memorial.
Today, when Piuma thinks about his service in Vietnam, he mostly remembers the good times.
"Because that's what helps me keep my sanity," he said.
The replica wall will be open to the public, 24 hours a day, on the former Pavilion Amusement Park site, until closing ceremonies Friday at 2 p-m.
Read a blog entry by Joel Allen about the wall.
