PERRYVILLE, MO (WSIL) -- The Vietnam Veterans Memorial proudly displays the name of those who gave their life in the war and a drive to Perryville, Missouri is all it takes.
"And said 'If I make it out alive I'm gonna do something to honor those guys.'"
After coming home, Jim Eddleman created a place to honor those who laid down their lives for their country.
An exact replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall now sits behind the Welcome Center and Museum with each of the 58,220 names inscribed on its walls.
"These are names a mother gave their child. These aren't just names. They're people. They did the right thing, for the right reason. And now it's time to thank them for their service." said Eddleman
Veterans come from all over, including Campbell Hill native Ronald Rathert.
"Well I retired at 23 years in the Navy, but I did do two tours in Vietnam."
For Rathert, the wall is more than a list of names.
"The battalion I was in, the first time I was in Vietnam. We have four members of our battalion on that wall."
Rathert served in a group called the Navy Seabees and looking at the wall reminds him of those left behind.
"There's a total of 85 Seabees on this wall. So when I see this wall, I get emotional. But I'm thankful that the good Lord brought me back home."
Rathert hopes people will come to the wall and recognize the service of those who are immortalized in the granite.
"I am so thankful that they have this. I hope that everybody makes it a point to come visit this. Because it's one of the best things to happen to this part of the country. And the people need to see it and they need to support it."
The wall is open 24 hours a day, 7-days a week.
