Family, friends and veterans will soon have a plaque to commemorate the experience of the traveling Vietnam wall memorial that drew thousands of visitors to South Portland in August.

The city will place a bronze plaque on the Spring Point Light Shoreway at Southern Maine Community College on Friday in honor of Veterans Day and in remembrance of the visiting wall, officially called the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Experience.

Robert Barnes, chairman of the Dignity Wall committee and a Vietnam veteran, said a plaque will provide a place of remembrance for the over 40,000 who came to visit the wall.

Barnes, South Portland Mayor Maxine Beecher and Southern Maine Community College President James Ortiz will speak during the ceremonies, which begin at 1 p.m.

“We still have letters coming in and thanking us for bringing the wall,” said Barnes. He said he knew people who were still going down to the site every day.

“The experience of the wall was very touching to my family,” said Steven Roberts, 55, a native of South Portland who recently moved to Gorham. Roberts lost his brother, John, in Vietnam on Oct. 14, 1967.

The traveling wall inspired Roberts to uncover the details behind the death of his brother. By talking with veterans who came to the wall, Roberts was able to collect information on his brother, including the field and battle in which he died. Roberts traveled to Angel Fire, N.M., in early October for research at a Vietnam memorial and data-base center. He is also planning a trip to Vietnam next year.

Roberts said he thought it was important that so many kids came out to see the traveling wall, as well.

“It was simply amazing,” he said. Roberts said he was proud he was able to bring his 7-year-old grandson, Stevie, to the wall and help him learn about John and what he sacrificed.

Barnes said the plaque will carry the inscription: “To remember, reflect and to heal while honoring those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom during the Vietnam conflict.”

Plaque to mark traveling Vietnam wall