Latest news with #VietnamVeteransMemorial
Chicago Tribune
6 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Antioch hosting Vietnam Veterans Memorial ‘Wall That Heals'; ‘This is simply a very hard and touching honor to pay tribute to them'
'The Wall That Heals' is a three-quarter-scale replica modeled after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Like the original, its panels are inscribed with the names of 58,261 U.S Armed Forces members who were killed or went missing during the war. Seeing the chevron-shaped monument at the Tim Osmond Sports Complex in Antioch was nothing short of impactful to many in attendance. Even more so, when illuminated at night. 'This means a great deal to me for several reasons, as one of my very best friends and several others I know who gave their lives are on this wall,' Steve MacInnes said. 'This wall is a symbol for Vietnam veterans who are not forgotten, and who will always be remembered.' Opening ceremonies were held on Thursday morning. The memorial is situated on the football field at 39 Depot Street until Sunday, and is open for viewing around the clock. The Vietnam Memorial Fund administers the schedule for the exhibit, now in its 30th year. The municipality was selected as one of 31 hosting locations in 2025, from a pool of 163 communities that applied for the exhibit. It was largely done through the application efforts of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Barbara Porch, its executive director. 'The Antioch Chamber has been interested in hosting this for several years,' Porch said. 'The chamber applied in 2024, and was successful in being given this opportunity. We feel that Antioch is a perfect place because of the willingness of our residents, and those in the surrounding communities, to become involved. 'It is important for young people of today to look forward to the future, but equally important for them to look back and learn what our country experienced to bring us to the present day,' she said. 'There are so many things to learn about history. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an outstanding salute to our veterans, and we hope young people learn by visiting.' The original memorial was designed by artist Maya Lin as two long black granite walls that are 246 feet each in a 'V' shape, cut into a bluff. The key feature is duplicated in its traveling counterpart, as the exhibit rises above visitors in walking toward the apex. Volunteers are on-site throughout the display's Antioch stay, acting as docents in guiding tours, while security is also provided. Visitors are encouraged to make rubbings from the indented names of family and friends on the panels. 'I'm the son of a Greatest Generation World War II combat veteran,' Michael Keshan, a site volunteer, said. 'Having friends who served in Vietnam and several who did not come home, this is simply a very hard and touching honor to pay tribute to them.' Chamber member and volunteer Cruzanne Lewis said, 'This is a tremendous undertaking by people giving time, who will be there all night … to be a presence and assist. There is also a strict decorum. They wore white gloves to install the panels, and they are set in a way that no car headlights will shine on the memorial.' MacInnis noted, 'This is constantly a reminder of a time that was not perhaps the best in our world, in our country. Yet, there isn't one Vietnam veteran who wouldn't tell you they weren't there for their brothers and sisters. They would do it again, if they had to do it.' A special ceremony, 'Eight Women On The Wall — A Nursing Tribute,' is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local kids get history lesson from traveling Vietnam veterans memorial
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – A powerful tribute to fallen heroes is making a stop in the Mahoning Valley this weekend. The Wall that Heals — a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial — continues its mission of remembrance and education. It arrived in Warren this week, giving local residents a chance to honor those who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War. From noon to 3 p.m. Friday, families and students gathered for special programs focused on the importance of remembering this pivotal time in American History. 'Kids don't always get to learn about the Vietnam War. They don't get to know what the Vietnam vets went through when they came home, so just getting to sit down with them and talk to them while we're doing these things, saying, 'So what do you think about that wall up there? Do you know why it's so important?'' said Aimee Wehmeyer, director of the Warren Heritage Center. Organizers say the wall will remain in town through the weekend with other events planned to encourage reflection, education and healing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Wall that Heals' veterans memorial open for viewing
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — The Wall That Heals — a replica of Washington, DC's Vietnam Veterans Memorial — is now set up in Warren. A welcome home ceremony was held Thursday evening on the South Lawn of Packard Music Hall, where the wall is set up. Clusters of people walked and stopped along the wall, looking for the names of someone they knew who was killed during the Vietnam War. It will be available for people to view through Sunday. Taps will be played each night at sunset. 'It's an experience that kind of heals the community, heals the veterans who served, their friends and neighbors and family that don't get that opportunity to go and share and remember them the proper way,' said co-chairman Herm Breuer. Friday at 6 p.m., the nurses who served in Vietnam will be honored, then on Saturday at 2 p.m., there will be a Medal of Honor tribute. The closing ceremony is at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
28-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
Vietnam vets' annual ceremony relocated from D.C. due to Army parade
Janet Zamora never had the chance to visit D.C. with her husband. They talked about it, longing to meander down the National Mall and see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial up close. But he was too sick to travel, she said, riddled with illness from exposure to Agent Orange during his five years with the Air Force in the Vietnam War. After he died in December, days after his 80th birthday, she applied for him to be part of a ceremony held at the memorial that annually honors hundreds of veterans who fought in the war and died after they came home. She'd go alone, for him.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Wall that Heals' comes to town, honoring Vietnam veterans
LIBERTY, Ohio (WKBN) — The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial made its way to Trumbull County Tuesday afternoon with a large escort. Nearly 400 motorcycles accompanied the memorial as it traveled north on State Route 11. This is the second time the 'Wall that Heals' has been to Warren. Motorcyclists accompanying the wall on its journey say it's wonderful to see so many people willing to honor veterans of the Vietnam War. 'I think this is great, letting all the people know that our brothers that didn't make it home can still be honored,' said Warren resident Howard Burgy. Over 13,000 people visited the memorial during its first trip in 2018. The Wall that Heals will be on the South Lawn of Packard Music Hall through June 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
