VIDALIA — Pat and Jan Hudnall took to the temporary memorial wall Saturday to seek out their deceased Jonesville friends who fought and died in the Vietnam War.

A ceremony was held on the Vidalia Riverfront Saturday in honor of the memorial, which is a replica of the Vietnam Wall located in Washington, D.C.

The temporary wall drew in many Miss-Lou residents who longed to find the name of a fallen hero is memorialized on the temporary wall, which is 360 feet long and 8 feet tall at the apex.

Among the several names the Hudnalls searched for was Budrow Bass Jr., who served died and in the Vietnam War from February 1968 to March 1968.

“I knew his family real good,” Pat Hudnall said. “We all grew up in the same neighborhood.”

Pat said it was great to have the wall close to home, even for a short while.

The temporary wall will be on display at the Vidalia Riverfront until Friday, June 12.

“It tugs at my heart because (Jan) spent a year over there and he made it home safely,” Pat said.

Jan served in the Vietnam War in 1968, where he received several injuries and was not able to see his daughter, Debra Young, until she was four months old.

“It was nice to get back home,” Jan said. “It’s unreal, but I was thankful.”

When Pat heard the news of the temporary wall coming to Vidalia, it didn’t take long for her and Jan to leave Jonesville and arrive at the ceremony to honor the soldiers who once didn’t receive the recognition they deserved.

“These were men, to me, that were totally forgotten,” Pat said. “They didn’t honor them, but they are starting to honor Vietnam soldiers now. It’s late, but it’s due.”

While touching the temporary wall, Pat said a certain sensation took over her body.

“It’s like you can feel their souls talking to you,” Pat said. “But that’s just how I feel.”

While serving in the Vietnam War, Jan received the Bronze Star.

He and Pat have been married for 47 years, and not a day goes by where they don’t think of their fallen friends.

City of Vidalia Public Relations Director Sheri Rabb opened the ceremony, thanking the 58,307 soldiers and the eight women that rest along with them.

“Having this peace of history here in our area is exciting in so many ways,” Rabb said. “Not everybody has the chance or the ability to go to Washington D.C., and see the permanent wall that stands up there. So this is a chance for everybody to come by, look at it and search for the names of their friends and family.”

Although several politicians were in attendance during the ceremony, including Congressman Ralph Abraham, Rabb said Saturday was not about politics, but about heroes.

“Today is about the American soldier,” Rabb said. “It’s about respect, helping them, saluting and thanking these brave men and women who risked their lives for America, or in the name of the United States.”

Arthur Lewis Jr., who got a first hand look at the temporary wall, walked through the area with much amazement.

“It was great to see all of these people recognized for their bravery,” Lewis said.

Outpost leader for Point Man International Doug McCallister said the ceremony was uplifting.

“I think it goes without saying that based on the response the we seen prior to this day, we can move forward to our goal of getting a permanent wall,” McCallister said.

The permanent wall will cost $300,000.

McCallister hopes to have the permanent wall on the Vidalia Riverfront by late 2016.

Point Man International Ministries brought the temporary wall to the Vidalia Riverfront through the American Veterans Traveling Tribute.

The VFW Post 9573 in Natchez and American Legion Post 590 in Vidalia assisted with the organization of the ceremony.

Fifty-four Louisiana and Natchez veterans were killed in action while two went missing in action.