FORT GORDON, Ga. (AP) — A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall is now open to the public at Fort Gordon, military officials said.

The traveling wall opened Thursday after a solemn ceremony, The Augusta Chronicle reported (http://bit.ly/JHkMJj ).

Col. Robert Barker, the garrison commander, invited people to visit the three-quarter-scale model of the national monument over Memorial Day weekend.

"For our veterans, this display provides a time for remembrance, healing and reflection. For those who didn't serve, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall offers a chance to honor our veterans," Barker told a crowd of civilians, uniformed service members and veterans.

The black granite-like wall stretches 244 feet long, stands 8 feet tall and includes the names of more than 58,000 service members killed in action or declared missing during the Vietnam War.

Visitors to the monument in Barton Field, adjacent to Rice Road, also have a chance to examine tables stacked with memorabilia from the war.

Army veteran John Hosier collected the ration tins, flags, weapons and other gear as a visual representation of his 36 months in Vietnam.

"This is a way to bring people closer" to the war, Hosier said.