A section of parking lot outside of the North Charleston Coliseum is considered temporary sacred ground by some veterans. That's where a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC now stands. The Moving Wall, a half-size version of the original monument, is on display through October 20. It is open 24 hours a day to anyone who wants to pay their respect to the more than 58,000 names etched on the wall.

"A lot of people can't afford to go to Washington DC so they can come here to see this," said retired Marine Gunnery Sergeant James Gregory, who served two tours in Vietnam, and stopped at the Moving Wall to remember the comrades he lost in the war on May 15, 1975.

To mark the Moving Wall's visit, General James Livingston, who served three tours during Vietnam, is helping coordinate a special ceremony Saturday morning to recognize Vietnam Era veterans who served in any branch of service during the war.

"I think it's important we say thank you. A lot of these folks never got the proper thank you. Golly, they deserve it. They didn't pick their war. They won their war, and we need to remind them they served our country to the best possible ability and we thank them for their service."

Organized by Congressman Henry Brown of the First Congressional District, the ceremony will be at the Charleston Area Convention Center Exhibition Hall. All veterans will receive a special certificate of congressional recognition, including the families of those veterans who have passed away since the Vietnam War.

"We'll have a certificate for the veteran or if the veteran is deceased, we'll have a certificate for the family in memory of their veteran's service," stated General Livingston.

Congressman Brown's office is gathering some basic information about veterans so they can be honored during the Moving Wall's visit and Saturday's recognition ceremony. To register you or your loved one's information and for details on the Moving Wall, click here.

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