Traveling Vietnam memorial wall comes to Downey for National Purple Heart Day
DOWNEY, Calif. (KABC) -- Community members and military veterans in Downey held a special gathering for National Purple Heart Day to honor the nation's heroes and welcome a new addition to the community.
The Vietnam Traveling Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute was temporarily displayed this weekend at the Discovery Sports Complex.
It's a traveling exhibit that brings a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. to local communities across the country.
"Downey historically has always been very supportive of our veteran community, and we want our veterans to know that Downey supports our fallen heroes," said Mayor Hector Sosa.
The exhibit served as a place for the community to gather, and it was an emotional day for Purple Heart recipient Zeferino John Madrigal.
"We may not know the full story of their history, of how they endured the homecoming, but I want to make the next generations' homecoming great that they can hear the stories but not have to experience it," he said.
