Volunteers needed for Memorial Day weekend tribute — sign up now to support this powerful community event
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — A powerful symbol of remembrance is returning to Simi Valley this Memorial Day weekend — and for the final time. The Vietnam wall replica, officially known as the AV Wall, will be on display at Rancho Tapo Community Park from Friday, May 23 at 3 p.m. through Tuesday, May 27 at 8 a.m. The wall, stretching 250 feet and bearing the names of over 58,000 U.S. service members killed or missing in action during the Vietnam War, will be accessible to the public 24 hours a day during its stay.
The upcoming display is hosted by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD), which is coordinating logistics, ceremonies, and volunteer support. This marks the third and final time the AV Wall will visit Simi Valley, following previous displays in 2014 and 2019, both held at Rancho Tapo Community Park.
“This is the only Vietnam Memorial traveling wall on the West Coast,” said Jeannie Liss of RSRPD during a recent presentation to the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise. “And they will be retiring it at the end of 2025. I want to make sure that everybody goes.”
The Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975, was a prolonged conflict between North Vietnam and its communist allies and South Vietnam, supported by the United States. According to the U.S. National Archives, the Defense Casualty Analysis System lists 58,220 U.S. military fatalities. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers died during the conflict.
To deepen the tribute, the wall will be surrounded by a striking display of 5,000 hand-crocheted red poppies, each made by community members to honor a fallen service member. The red poppy has long been a symbol of remembrance and resilience.
Taps will be played nightly at 10 p.m., offering a moment of reflection for visitors. An official opening ceremony is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m., and a Memorial Day ceremony will take place on Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m.
Liss noted that many veterans prefer to visit the wall during the quiet nighttime hours when fewer people are present.
Throughout the four-day event, volunteers are needed around the clock, beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through Tuesday morning. Approximately 400 shifts are available, with roles including setup, Wall Walkers, Night Owl Attendants, Greeters, Computer Assistance, and teardown. Most shifts are two hours; overnight shifts are four hours.
Volunteers must be 18 or older and are required to attend a training session prior to the event. To register, email Jeannie Liss at [email protected] or sign up online at: https://signup.com/go/oiZdvnA
This final visit offers Simi Valley residents and visitors a rare opportunity to reflect, remember, and honor the lives lost during one of the most complex and emotional periods in American history.
