But it still covers a patch of asphalt nearly the length of a football field on the southwest side of Ogden's Newgate Mall.

The wall includes the names of 58,240 men and nine women who died serving the United States in the Vietnam War and is one of four traveling the country.

The names of 365 Utahns are on the wall, including 30 from the Ogden area alone, according to Dennis Howland, of Ogden, junior vice commander for the state Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1481 and Newgate Mall, the wall arrived in Ogden on Tuesday. The exhibit opens with a flag ceremony today at 8 a.m.

Planning for the traveling memorial has been under way for nine months, Howland said. It is timed to coincide with the Ogden VFW's third Old Glorious celebration on Saturday, Flag Day.

As part of Saturday evening's event, 1,000 American flags will be retired with a ceremony and burning. Spectators can bring flags they want to retire as well, Howland said.

A traveling museum accompanies the wall, and visitors can use its computers to locate the names displayed on the wall, said Howland, a Vietnam War veteran. Volunteers will be available to assist those who want help.

The wall will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. the first three days, but those who prefer the solitude of the night will not be turned away, Howland said.

"If people feel more comfortable at 2 in the morning . . . because they want a moment of peace or quiet, they can come at 2 in the morning," he said. Security officers will work around the clock.

Flag-raising ceremonies will be at 8 a.m. each day, but most of the events are in the evenings. At 2 p.m. each day, volunteers will read names from the wall, chosen by visitors, Howland said.

kmoulton@sltrib.com