Medford, Ore. — The Veterans Memorial Park in South Medford could be getting a new addition.
State Rep. Sal Esquivel, Medford Councilor Eli Matthews, and President of Southern Oregon Veterans Benefit Russ McBride, have begun raising $250,000 to pay for a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Medford.
McBride served two tours in Vietnam. He said he’s passionate about the project because he knows the kind of healing a visit to the memorial could bring for thousands of veterans in Oregon.
“A lot of things happened that a lot of us guys won’t talk about,” McBride said.
He said the replica would be the first of its kind on the West Coast. The original is in Washington D.C.
“The one we’re getting is 250 feet long and five feet high,” said McBride.
That’s half the size of the original, but still big enough for the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died in the Vietnam War.
Supporters are hoping to pay for construction through grants, donations, and selling raffles.
McBride said they have approval from Medford Parks and Recreation. They will present the idea to the city council on Thursday.
To donate you can visit sovb.org
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