One by one, representatives of veterans organizations lined up to place wreaths at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
When they were finished, there were more than 100 wreaths placed Monday evening at the wall, followed by the opening ceremony. The wall arrived escorted by some 1,200 motorcyclists and assembled Sunday at Wickham Park. It will remain there until the end of Florida’s 29th annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion on Sunday.
The reunion is Thursday through Sunday, with activities Thursday and Friday until about 11 p.m. The traveling memorial wall and reunion activities are open to the public.
Retired Marine Master Gunnery Sgt. Francisco Odzimowski of Rockledge paused to compose himself as he spoke of what it means to him to attend the reunion each year. The veteran of the Vietnam War and Desert Storm was injured in both conflicts.
“It’s spiritual,” he said. “It reminds me of where I’ve been. It provides me with gratefulness that I can pay homage to those who passed on and those I served with.”
The Florida Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion, said to be the largest and longest running of its kind in the nation, last year drew an estimated 87,000 people over a week, with the most visitors coming Saturday and Sunday. The weekend is heavily scheduled with activities, displays, vendors and entertainment, beginning Friday afternoon to the closing ceremony Sunday at 5 p.m.
“Your devotion is remembered by Americans the world over,” Brig. Gen. Wayne Monteith, commander of the 45th Space Wing at Patrick Air Force Base told
