Vietnam Diorama ccomes to Tonawanda
By Eric O Connor
Friday, October 29, 2025

Originally meant to treat those with post traumatic stress disorder, a series of intricate dioramas depicting scenes from the Vietnam War will make their way to the City of Tonawanda this Saturday.

The dioramas were part of a therapy treatment to help veterans with PTSD who couldn’t verbally communicate what they felt. Each diorama tells a different story.

“There’s one that shows Navy S.E.A.L.S. going in after a downed helicopter,” said Patrick Welch, president of the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America. “It’s a little scene about the size of a rectangular birthday cake. It will have a helicopter or a swift boat. The detail is unbelievable.”

In all, 30 to 35 scenes will go on display Saturday. The dioramas are on loan from a Rochester chapter of the VVA. The program has evolved into a display that now travels to various events and schools.

This is the first time the dioramas will be on display in the Buffalo region.

“It’s an educational tool that helps people get their issues out,” Welch said.



For complete story, see today's Tonawanda News.
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