This Memorial Day weekend, local residents will get to pay special tribute to those who died in the Vietnam War.

The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall, a traveling, three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, is coming to Griffin this weekend.

The Wall is scheduled to arrive this morning with a local escort. The Wall is slated to arrive at about 10 a.m. off Interstate 75 Exit 205 (Georgia Highway 16). Local law enforcement, emergency services, military and Patriot Guard riders will provide the escort.

The Wall will be assembled at Wyomia Tyus Olympic Park, 301 Cowan Road, Griffin.

A ribbon-cutting will be held Friday at 9:45 a.m. with a grand opening at 10 a.m. The Wall will be open through Memorial Day with a service at 4 p.m. on Memorial Day.

This year marks the second time in 10 years Griffin has hosted the Wall.

DJ Brewer, who is coordinating this year’s effort, said the Wall is usually in larger metro areas, with the closest location of the Wall tour this year being in Memphis.

“We were fortunate to get it a second time,” Brewer said.

He added that community involvement has been key to bringing the Wall to Griffin. Many local individuals, businesses and organizations have contributed — with money, volunteers and building materials.

“Overwhelming, the support has been overwhelming,” he said.

Brewer said this will give many in the community a unique opportunity to recognize not only Vietnam veterans but all veterans.

“I’m so excited to have helped bring the wall here,” he said. “To some it is the Wall; some will never get the chance to go to Washington, D.C., and see the Wall. We want to provide that opportunity for them.”

On the Web — http://www.dignitymemorial.com/dm20/en_US/main/dm/veterans/vietnam-wall-tour.page