SAN DIEGO -- The Vietnam War impacted the lives of many Americans, and this memorial lists by name all those who made the supreme sacrifice.

“In honor of the men and women of the armed forces of the United States who served in the Vietnam War,” reads the Preamble of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. “The names of those who gave their lives and of those who remain missing are inscribed in the order they were taken from us.”

Service members and civilians in the San Diego area had the opportunity to observe the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center at Balboa Park.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Quintet performed for visitors. There was also a fly-over by an AD-1 Skyraider, a plane used during the Vietnam War.

This was the first time since 2004 that the “Moving Wall” was in San Diego.  The memorial brought along a massive motorcycle escort during the day.

Generations of former and active duty service members were present at the memorial to show their respect as well as mourn the death of their family and friends.

“I am here today with my father,” said Coast Guard Lt. Andrew Hoag, training liaison officer, Afloat Training Group. 
Andrew and his father Kenneth Hoag, who was an Army sergeant in the 1st Infantry Division in 1967, mourned together at the lost friends on the wall.

“It’s the best thing they could have done. It gives people a perspective of what happens during a war,” said Kenneth.

The wall has the names of more than 58,000 dead or missing-in-action service members.

The wall went on display for the first time in October 1984 in Tyler, Texas. The “Moving Wall” travels throughout the U.S. from April through November, spending about a week at each destination.

Despite the protesting during the Vietnam War, many people joined the military voluntarily, to serve their country.

“My brother and I went to boot camp together,” said James D. Eads, who was a Marine Corps squad leader during the Vietnam War. “We lost a lot of good men and women during that war. It is important to show our respect to them and their families.”

Showing respect for veterans is something all service members learn in boot camp.

“One of the most honorable parts of our job is being able to play for the veterans,” said Sgt. Jon M. Koshuta, noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Brass Quintet. “It’s about giving them recognition for a job well done.”

The event was well organized, said Koshuta. “It was just as powerful as the memorial in Washington, D.C.”

Many Vietnam veterans never got the respect they deserved after the war and were frowned upon for years. “This is a healing process for those of us who fought. It was almost 10 years after the war when we got recognition,” said Eads.