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MISSOULA- The sponsors of this week's display of the replica Vietnam Veteran's Memorial believe the event is important for not only veterans, but carrying the message of that war forward to new generations.

The "Wall That Heals" is in Missoula for a four day display, the only time it will be in Montana this year. The 250 foot wall is a half-size replica of the national monument in Washington D.C., and carries all 58,000 names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the long conflict.

Veterans and their families are encouraged to come and view the wall, making "etching" of names as they'd like. But the general public is encouraged to come as well, carrying the message of the sacrifices made in Vietnam forward to younger generations.

"I think this is as much healing for veterans and the people of the era, it's educational for people. A lot of these young people, this college and high school students, they're going to be in the same place the Vietnam veterans were during that war," Dan Gallagher with American Legion Post #101 explained.

"And it's important that they learn. And in the process I think there's a connection between generations as well. I think it's really, really a positive thing," he concluded.

The wall will be on display 24-hours a day through the weekend. Attorney General Steve Bullock will be the keynote speaker at a special dedication ceremony Friday night at 7 o'clock.