Traveling Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Comes to Phoenix

Community Invited to Pay Respects to America's War Veterans

PHOENIX, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dignity Memorial((R)) Vietnam Wall, a
three-quarter-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in
Washington, D.C., will be on display Sept. 18 - 20 at Phoenix Memorial Park
and Mortuary, 200 W. Beardsley Rd. in Phoenix. Call 623-434-7000 for more
information.

Free and open to the public 24 hours a day from Friday, Sept. 18 through
Sunday, Sept. 20, the replica is eight feet high and 240 feet long. Its black,
reflective surface is inscribed with the names of more than 58,000 servicemen
and women who died or are missing in Vietnam. Paper and pencils will be
provided so visitors can make rubbings of names etched on the wall.

Created by the Dignity Memorial network of funeral, cremation and cemetery
service providers in 1990, the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is dedicated to
all Americans who served in Vietnam and honors all veterans of the U.S.
military. The three-day exhibit is sponsored locally by Phoenix Memorial Park
and Mortuary and VFW Post 9400.

"The monument was created as a service to those who might never travel to the
nation's capital to experience the Vietnam Veterans Memorial firsthand," said
Dan Salter, director of Dignity Memorial providers in the Phoenix area. "Our
replica offers visitors a chance for healing and reflection, and we are very
pleased to be able to share it with the community," he said.

Activities and ceremonies planned in conjunction with the exhibition include
the following:

-- A motorcade of Vietnam veterans and other riders from area motorcycle
clubs will depart Buddy Stubbs Anthem Harley-Davidson in Anthem, Ariz.
at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15 to escort the replica to Phoenix Memorial
Park, where it is scheduled to arrive around 4 p.m.
-- Volunteers will construct the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall on
Wednesday, Sept. 16.
-- An Education Day on Thursday, Sept. 17 will make the replica available
to pre-registered school groups from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
-- The exhibit will open to the public Friday, Sept. 18. Opening
Ceremonies
will begin at 9 a.m. Guest speakers include state legislator Carl
Seel,
gubernatorial candidate Ben Jankowski and master of ceremonies Sarge
Lintecum. Lintecum is a highly-decorated, three-tour Vietnam combat
veteran. Well known for his recording "Vietnam Blues,"
Lintecum is a poet, singer, songwriter, musician and entertainer who
uses his Vietnam experiences as inspiration for his powerful works.
-- A silent auction from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday,
Sept. 19, will benefit the VFW's efforts to provide assistance for
local military families facing deployment.
-- A sunset POW / MIA ceremony Saturday, Sept. 19 will include a
candlelight vigil and the reading of the names of prisoners of war and
those missing in action.

-- Closing Ceremonies will begin at 2:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 20 with a
motorcycle salute to Vietnam veterans and will conclude the burial of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vault of items and memorabilia left at
the
exhibit throughout the weekend. The burial ceremony will include a
21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

After Phoenix, the exhibit will be on display in Houston, Texas, from
September 25-27, 2009. To date, the replica has traveled to more than 200
cities across the country and has been visited by millions of Americans.

The Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall is one of many efforts of the Dignity
Memorial network to honor and support our nation's veterans and active
military. Other initiatives and programs include the Veterans Planning Guide,
the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program, educational veterans
seminars and special pricing and benefits for members of three veterans
service organizations.

Phoenix Memorial Park is a proud Dignity Memorial provider in Phoenix. The
Dignity Memorial network of more than 1,600 funeral, cremation and cemetery
service providers is North America's most trusted resource for funeral and
memorialization services. Dignity Memorial providers offer an unmatched
combination of products and locations serving families with care, integrity,
respect and service excellence. For more information, call 623-434-7000 or
visit www.DignityMemorial.com.

Jennifer Lange Brandino
Corporate Communications
Service Corporation International
1929 Allen Parkway
Houston, TX 77019
Direct 713-525-7484
Mobile 713-899-9168

SOURCE Service Corporation International; Dignity Memorial

Jennifer Lange Brandino, Corporate Communications of Service Corporation
International, +1-713-525-7484, mobile, +1-713-899-9168