The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is in LeRoy, Illinois through Sunday, July 26th.
The wall is a 1/2 replica of the permanent Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. and, they both list the more than 58,000 names of military personnel who were wounded in Vietnam between 1957 and 1975 and ultimately died of their wounds.
The traveling memorial is very awe inspiring to look at. It definitely makes you think about the men and women of all wars that fought and died to defend America and our way of life.
While visiting the wall last night in LeRoy I was honored to get to chat for quite a while with Monica Harvey from Nebraska. She is a volunteer that spends her time at locations where the wall is on display all around the country. You can just call her “Lil Sis” as everybody does. If you want to share a story or hear a story while you are in LeRoy at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, just look for “Lil Sis,” she is an amazing person!
The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall is on display in the city park on the circle in the downtown area. There are signs posted all around to lead you to it.
Here is the schedule of events for the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall while it is in LeRoy, Illinois:
Thursday, July 23, 2015 – Opening Ceremony 6:30 pm (sharp)
*National Anthem – vocals by Kenny Prince
*Posting of Colors
*Opening Remarks
*Invocation
*Keynote Speaker
*Benediction
*Wreath Laying – 5 Branches and POW
Friday, July 24, 2015 – Evening events begin at 6:30 pm (sharp)
*POW/MIA Table Ceremony
*Readin of area Veterans
Saturday, July 25, 2015 – Evening events begin at 6:30 pm (sharp)
*The Empire Harmony Barbershop Group
*Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” – vocals by Kenny Prince
Sunday, July 26, 2015 – Closing ceremony 7:30 pm (sharp)
*Keynote Speaker
*Gold Star Mothers
*Posting of Colors
* Music by “Lil Sis,” Monica Harvey (Yes, this is the lady I spoke of above.)
The short video above is what I shot last night when I went up to see the wall. Trust me, seeing it in the video is nothing compared to being there in person. Take the time over the next few days to go see it even if you can’t be there for any of the scheduled events.
By: Buck Stevens
