Vidalia — A temporary memorial wall will arrive in Vidalia later this month to give Miss-Lou residents the opportunity to honor fallen soldiers.

The memorial, which is a replica of the Vietnam Wall located in Washington, D.C., is being brought to the area by Point Man International Ministries, who arranged the memorial to come through the American Veterans Traveling Tribute.

The temporary Vietnam Wall will arrive to Vidalia in Friday, May 29.

“I wanted to bring honor, remembrance and respect to the 58,300 plus names of those men and women who paid the ultimate price for our freedom,” said Doug McCallister, who is the outpost leader for Point Man International.

McCallister said he hopes the temporary wall will give local families the chance to pay their respects for those who died in the war.

Some families are not able to travel to Washington D.C. to see the actual Vietnam Wall.

McCallister’s long-term goal is to implement a permanent wall on the Vidalia Riverfront.

“That’s what we are working towards,” he said. “Veterans throughout Concordia Parish are fearlessly patriotic. They can easily be identified as the ones who find a way to do something.”

The temporary wall costs $15,000 to bring to Vidalia.

“We have given them the down payment, and the first installation, which has us half way there,” McCallister said.

The $15,000 will also be applied to the total cost of the permanent wall, which will require McCallister and his group to raise $300,000.

Although $300,000 is a substantial amount of money, McCallister said he is sure the Miss-Lou can make it happen.

“When you take on a mission such as this — when you have God for a point man — when you have Jesus Christ as chairman of the board and it is surrounded and supported by fearlessly, patriotic people throughout this community, we can do this,” McCallister said.

McCallister said he hopes to have the permanent wall ready for display on the Vidalia Riverfront by Nov. 11, 2016, which will coincide with the Natchez tricentennial.

U.S. Army Veteran Vernon Stevens said the wall would attract more tourism to Vidalia.

“It’s a big deal,” Stevens said. “You throw this wall in, people will want to visit Natchez where they can see the homes and visit Vidalia so they can see the wall.”

Funds are still being raised through sponsorships.

Sponsors who give $1,000 or more will be included on the banner that will be displayed on site, as well as the marketing that the City of Vidalia has been gracious to include us in, McCallister said.

Those who wish to donate or sponsor can call McCallister at 601-431-2096, Stevens at 318-719-9520 or Glen McGlothin at 601-807-4580.

The wall will be on display at the Vidalia Riverfront from Saturday, May 30, to Friday, June 12.

Security will be on patrol during this time.

Opening ceremonies for the temporary wall will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Vidalia Riverfront.