With a few computer keystrokes, each of the 58,000-plus names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington, D.C., is now searchable and linked to that person’s service records and casualty report, thanks to the National Archives and the online company Footnote.com at www.go.footnote.com/thewall.

According to the National Archives Web site, Footnote.com started the project by contracting with National Geographic photographer Peter Krogh, who was given the challenge to photograph the entire wall.

Creating this online version of the wall required almost 1,500 individual photos that were stitched together to create a single image, a process that took over five months and resulted in an image that contains nearly 5 gigapixels. Despite the immense size, anyone can view the image on Footnote.com.

Creating this digital image of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial enables computer users to locate each veteran’s name in the exact location it appears on the memorial. From there, information on that person is displayed and any visitor to the Web site can upload photos of veterans and leave comments and stories free of charge.

While all the records used to make the database are accessible through the National Archives at www.archives.gov, the Footnote.com site allows computer visitors easier access to these Vietnam War records, according to Allen Weinstein, archivist of the United States. Veterans can be searched through 54 different categories including name, age, birthday, hometown, home state, start of tour date and rank.

The Web site began operations March 26, the 26th anniversary of the memorial’s groundbreaking ceremony.

VA reps available for help at Warwick Vet Center

The Vet Center, at 2038 Warwick Ave., Warwick, and operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, will have veterans’ service officers and representatives available at the following times for veterans who would like assistance with any issues related to VA claims or benefits.

On the second Thursday of the month, Rick Vaccari will be available from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jim Boardman will be available on the third Tuesday of the month, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A third VA representative from the VA’s regional office will meet with veterans on the third Friday of the month from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Appointments are not needed. For more information, call the Vet Center at (401) 739-0167.

Correction: one of the names last Monday’s column on “R.I. Veterans Action Center announces 2008 Patriot Award recipients”` was incorrect. The listing for Tina Toselli (WAVES National) should have read Tina McNiel.

Reunions

The 102D Aircraft Control & Warning Squadron Association will hold its annual getaway reunion June 8 to 10 at Shoreway Acres, in Falmouth, Mass. For more information, call Hank Connors at (401) 437-1482.

The USS Nimitz (CVN-68) Association invites all members of ship’s company, staff, squadrons and detachments who served aboard the carrier to a reunion in Nashville, Tenn., from June 19 to 22. For more information, e-mail Joe Brunner at waldoj@cox.net., call him at (619) 466-2132, or log on to www.ussnimitzassociation.org for membership information.

•House Advisory Council

The council meets today in Room 135 at the State House at 10 a.m.

•8th Air Force Historical Society

The R.I. chapter meets today at Bickford’s restaurant on Jefferson Boulevard in Warwick at 11 a.m.

•Italian War Veterans

Cappucci-Weir Post 1 will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the post home, 9 Court St., Bristol.

•Warwick Veterans Council

The council will meet tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at VFW Post 183, 176 Washington St., Warwick.

•Jewish War Veterans

Post 23 will meet Wednesday at 11 a.m. for officer elections and a memorial service for Warsaw Ghetto uprising victims with lunch to follow, in the Imperial Room at the Shriners building, at 1 Rhodes Place, Broad Street, Cranston. Reservations must be made by today by calling Steve at (401) 463-5159.

•American Legion

Berard-Desjarlais Post 88, 111 Chapel St., Harrisville, will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. Raymond Fontenault, Burrillville’s veterans’ service officer, will hold office hours that evening at the post home from 6 to 8.

•Association of the Army

The R.I. chapter’s executive committee will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 10011, 354 Fruit Hill Ave., North Providence.

•VFW and Auxiliary

Smithfield Memorial Post 2929 will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the post home at 47 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. State Cmdr. Michael Corriveau will hold a council of administration meeting Saturday at 9 a.m. at Washington County Post 916, 155 High St., Wakefield. Post 916 Auxiliary will have a meatloaf dinner/fundraiser there Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.; for tickets, at $10, call (401) 789-0150 or (401) 782-6348. Senior Vice Cmdr. Stephen Stewart will attend a national conference with the state adjutant and state quartermaster in Las Vegas from April 20 to 24.

•Marine Corps League

The South County Detachment will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at VFW Post 916, 155 High St., Wakefield. All former and present Marines are invited.

•Special Forces Association

Rhode Island Chapter 48 will meet Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Corner Tavern, 20 South County Trail, North Kingstown.

•Coventry Veterans Council

The council will meet Thursday at 10 a.m. at AJ’s restaurant, Main Street, West Warwick, to plan for the Memorial Day parade. All veterans are welcome.

•Vietnam Veterans

Chapter 273 members will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at VFW Post 4651, 7 Haven Ave., Cranston.

•Seabee Veterans of America

Island X-1 Davisville will meet at the Seabee Park and Museum, 21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown, on Saturday at 9 a.m. All Seabees, active and retired, are invited.

•Battle of the Bulge Veterans

Rhode Island Chapter 24 members will meet Saturday at noon at Barrington’s American Legion Post 8 hall, on Legion Way.

•WAVES National

Ocean State Unit 118 members will meet at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Powers Building, One Capitol Hill, Smith Street, Providence, on the ground floor.

•AMVETS

Bristol Post 37 will host a fundraiser ham-and-bean dinner April 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cup Defender’s Hall (rear entrance), 230 Wood St, Bristol, to benefit the scholarship fund. For tickets, at $7, call Sib Dias at (401) 253-4353 or Dave Enos at (401) 253-4129 by next Sunday.

George W. Reilly can be reached at VeteransColumn@verizon.net or by writing to The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.