May 15, 2024
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Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall coming to McHenry County

McHenry set to host Vietnam Memorial Wall replica July 13 to 17

By Bill Freskos

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall was displayed in Sycamore Park in Sycamore, Illinois. It will be in McHenry from July 13 to July 17. (Shaw Media)

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, “The Wall That Heals,” will be coming to McHenry at the McHenry VFW Post 1600 (3002 IL-120) from July 13 to 17. It has been almost 10 years since the wall’s last visit to McHenry County.

The wall is a three-fifths-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., stanidng 6 feet tall at the center and covering almost 300 feet from end to end.

The traveling memorial is a reminder of the sacrifices the U.S. made during the Vietnam War. It was made for the purpose of helping to heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones in their hometown who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington, D.C.

This memorial gives a lot of veterans and family members the first step in the healing process for something that they’ve been carrying around for over 50 years.”

—  Don Russo, manager of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall

Don Russo, manager of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, explained that this reason, among many, is a key motivation behind why they started doing this.

“That’s why we began to travel and bring it to small communities and big cities in the first place,” Russo said. “There’s just so many people that will never make it to Washington.”

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Traveling Wall is a 3/5ths scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., and stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. (Shaw Media)

Russo spoke about the significance of the wall coming to McHenry County for local veterans and family members in the community.

“This memorial gives a lot of veterans and family members the first step in the healing process for something that they’ve been carrying around for over 50 years,” Russo said.

Peter Kim, quartermaster of the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600, shared the schedule of events for the visit and what will be offered to Vietnam veterans who attend.

On Thursday, the memorial wall will be traveling from Brevard County, Florida, and link up with the VFW Post 4600 motorcycle escort at the Lake County Fairgrounds main parking lot. From there, the escort will lead the memorial to the McHenry VFW, where volunteers will begin assembling the wall.

The most anticipated day of the weekend will be Saturday, which will feature an opening ceremony and a special luncheon for Vietnam veterans in attendance.

Throughout the weekend, the VFW staff and dedicated volunteers said they will ensure that the event runs smoothly, recognizing the impact the memorial has on veterans and the community.