THOMASTON — The Knox Museum seeks volunteers to help host the Vietnam Combat Veterans' The Moving Wall over Memorial Day weekend next month. Thirteen thousand people are expected to visit the memorial over the five-day period, and upward of 100 volunteers are needed to help in various capacities each day.

The memorial wall, which is a half-scale replica of Maya Lin's original design located on the National Mall in Washington, DC, will be exhibited on the grounds of Montpelier from May 26-30. Visiting hours will be 24 hours per day, except during special ceremonies. Admission is free, and all are encouraged to attend.

The Moving Wall — the first of its kind in 1984 — has been touring the country for more than 30 years, offering thousands who would never have the chance to get to the Nation’s capital, the opportunity to witness this important American monument. Over the years, The Moving Wall has been exhibited in half a dozen towns across the state, but this will be its first appearance in Midcoast Maine.

The Moving Wall stands 252 feet long and 6-feet tall and displays the names of 58,228 Americans who lost their lives in Vietnam, including 13 from Knox County, eight from Lincoln County, six from Waldo County and four from Sagadahoc County. In total, there are 343 Maine names inscribed on the memorial.

Volunteers are needed in many capacities, including registering guests, looking up names on the computer, helping with traffic and parking, driving vans, preparing and serving food, stocking comfort stations, setting up for special programs, escorting, ushering, helping clean up, providing security, first aid and more. Volunteers will be scheduled in four-hour shifts, starting at 8 a.m. on Thursday, May 26 and continuing through noon on Tuesday, May 31.

Special ceremonies throughout the week include the Opening Ceremony on Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m.; the POW/MIA Ceremony on Friday, May 27 at 1 p.m.; Boots on the Ground: VIETNAM on Saturday, May 28 at 1 p.m.; a Gold Star families Ceremony on Sunday, May 29 at 2 p.m.; and a Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 30 at 5 p.m.

The names of Maine's 343 veterans whose names appear on the memorial will be read in sunset ceremonies on the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings that the wall is on site; and there will be a series workshops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 27-29) at 5 p.m. for veterans on VA medical enrollment, Agent Orange, PTSD and state benefits.

Montpelier will be open for free walk-through viewing on Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m., and on Friday thru Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except during special ceremonies when The Moving Wall and Montpelier will be closed to visitors. During Montpelier's open house hours, visitors can also view Knox Museum's special 2016 exhibition featuring U.S. Army Capt. Beth Parks' photographs from her deployment serving as a nurse in Vietnam, entitled Blood, Dust & Mud, complete with educational panels about the history of the Vietnam War, and Parks' recreated "hooch," or living quarters, featuring some of her belongings from that time. Montpelier will open for regular docent-led tours beginning June 1.

Knox Museum emphasizes that this is a community event, no commercial activities are allowed, and this exhibition is a solemn occasion, designed to honor those serving in the military of all generations, and in particular, those who gave their lives in Vietnam.

Those wishing to volunteer can sign up at knoxmuseum.org; on The Moving Wall to Maine's Facebook page; or by contacting volunteer coordinator Sandy Orluk directly at 354-7250 or sforluk@roadrunner.com or co-coordinator Patricia Smith at 354-2497 or trish2497@gmail.com.

Note that High Street will be closed to traffic all week and that no parking will be available on Montpelier's grounds except for very limited handicapped and dignitary parking. Volunteers can either be dropped off at what will be very clearly identified as the loading and unloading zone in front of Montpelier, or can park behind the old Saint James Mission and Thomaston Academy, and ride the volunteer shuttle to the property, which will run regularly.

For more information visit Knox Museum's Facebook page, call the Museum at 354-8062 or email info@knoxmuseum.org.