ATLANTA , Georgia ( CNN ) -- Julius Derico Jr. did n't need to travel to the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington to pay tribute to his fallen comrade -- the first casualty of his unit in Vietnam . Users can search the digitized Vietnam War Memorial Wall for details about soldiers who died . As he huddled around a computer with other veterans , he searched for his friend 's name in a newly digitized version of the Wall . While it 's just one of the Wall 's 58,320 names , Derico said he hopes people understand that it represents something more than just an inscription . The virtual Wall , a project created by the National Archives and Footnote.com , brings the memorial to millions of American homes . The Web site , unveiled last week , links names to casualty reports , historical documents and digital photographs , and allows users to leave online tributes to those who died . See the new project be unveiled in Washington » . To create the digital image , photographers used more than 6,000 photographs of the Wall , which measures about 460 feet wide . Ten Vietnam veterans at an American Legion Post 911 in Atlanta , Georgia , gathered to test the online Wall for CNN.com . They said they believe the new Wall gives a face to each of the names , and helps keep their memories alive . See veterans react to the virtual memorial » . `` We can use that to help console people ... To help people realize that ... they are gone but they are not forgotten , '' Derico said . `` We can show it to you [ online ] . Your brother , your sister ... They 're still there ; they are being thought of and they are being treated with due respect . '' Derico will never forget . The thought of that first death in his unit still chokes him up . David Perkett was killed one night when a fellow soldier accidentally discharged his weapon . At the age of 20 , Derico had to identify the body . It was not prepped . It was not cleaned . His comrade was covered in dried blood . `` It was devastating , '' Derico said , visibly shaken . As some people searched the virtual Wall for people they knew , others shouted names from across the room , hoping someone would enter a search in the computer . Some only knew the first names and hoped to match them with the database by unit or hometown . As they found more names , the group grew in size , huddling closer together as they read the casualty report of the latest name . For Robert Love , who served in Vietnam as a mechanic , being able to view the Wall with fellow comrades gives the memorial new meaning . As he used the online version , he reflected on a trip to Washington , where he visited the Wall . `` I had so many different emotions ; and then after a while , as you begin to look at the names on the wall , it overwhelms you , '' he said . `` Then you realize that you could be up there , but by the grace of God you are n't . '' As he sat with his fellow servicemen Friday , reflecting on the war and sharing memories of those who died , some of the pain eased . See how users are turning the wall into a personal scrapbook » . As they located familiar names and learned more about them , the group 's excitement grew . Everyone agreed that other veterans should know about the site , and they agreed to spread the word . Some suggested including the site Stand Down -- an event that helps homeless and indigent veterans by providing them with food , clothing and other necesseties . So many veterans end up with no home , no benefits , no money and drug problems , Love said . Many are simply stuck in a cycle , unable to let go of the horror of war . `` War is hell . There 's no other way to put it . And when an individual goes into a situation where he or she takes the life of another individual , it 's devastating and you never really get over it , '' he said . `` At times , when you go to sleep at night , you see just like you were there . You wake up in a cold sweat -- scared ; and after so long it starts wearing on your body . '' `` It 's an excellent opportunity for them to come in and look back on what happened to them in Vietnam , '' Derico said . `` For them to look back on the people they lost in Vietnam . And guess what ? It may even shock them to the extent that they come back to reality . '' E-mail to a friend .
Digital Vietnam Wall memorial lets you share your memories with the world Wall was a collaboration between National Archives , Footnote.com . Veterans see it as a way to add your voice to history , leave memories . Local veterans hope to use site to help veterans get back on their feet .