Vietnam Wall’s Lynn route, escorts detailed

LYNN – Two motorcycle groups dedicated to helping veterans and their families will escort the traveling Vietnam memorial “The Wall that Heals” from Goodwin Circle to Fraser Field Tuesday.The memorial’s arrival for almost a week-long stay is timed for 2:15 p.m. when a tractor trailer carrying the memorial will roll down Lynnfield Street escorted by Massachusetts State Police, Lynn Police and Fire Departments, The Patriot Guard Riders, Rolling Thunder and others.Rolling Thunder is a non-profit motorcycle club committed to assisting veterans, including hospitalized veterans, and advocating for the families of veterans declared missing in action. Patriot Guard members attend the funerals of service men and women to show respect for their families.Local memorial coordinator David J. Solimine Jr. said the procession will take about 20 minutes to travel through Wyoma Square to Broadway and then onto Boston Street where it will turn onto Stetson and enter Fraser through the Locust Street entrance.”It will be a quick procession through Lynn. This is a great opportunity for people hanging around with their kids in one of the last weeks of summer to come down to the route and watch the procession go by,” Solimine said.He is encouraging residents to line the route and waive American flags, or simply show support who those who served our country and continue to serve.The memorial is traveling to Lynn from upstate New York. The Wall convoy will travel the Mass Pike and Route 95/128 before entering Lynn on Lynnfield Street.Workers will set up the wall at Fraser Field on Wednesday. Opening ceremonies will be held Aug. 27 at 6 p.m., followed by a ceremony honoring Gold Star Families on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m., a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony on Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. and closing ceremonies on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. Admission is free and the entrance at 120 Locust St will be open 24 hours a day. Parking is available on Ford and Locust streets. For more information, visit www.lynnwallvisit.com. The Item’s special commemorative section, which will be published in Monday’s paper, can be viewed at www.itemlive.com/special/wall2009.