Traveling Vietnam Wall Is In Chicago Area Through Tonight
Bob Roberts, WBBM Newsradio 780 Reporting
CHICAGO -- After a year of preparation, the traveling Vietnam Wall is in the Chicago area through tonight.
Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars marched down Kedzie Avenue behind a flag-draped coffin on a caisson to the Everest section of Oak Hill Cemetery, at 119th Street and Kedzie Avenue in Merrionette Park, before a brief ceremony dedicating the weekend exhibit to those who gave their lives in the Vietnam conflict.
Dozens of American flags encircled the monument, a three-quarters scale replica of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Also prominently displayed are the flags of each branch of the U.S. military, and the black POW-MIA flag.
Oak Hill General Manager Diane Nowak worked for more than a year to bring the traveling memorial to the cemetery, and said she found it "appropriate" for it to be on display beneath the nation's flag.
"The most important thing is that everyone use this time this weekend to remember," she said. "Remember that those aren't just names on a wall but lives that were lived and dreams that were cut short."
Each of the thousands of names on the wall are being read, in a ceremony which concludes tonight.
Nowak said that many friends and loved ones of servicemen who died in Vietnam have asked to read specific portions of the list.
Others have contributed photos and vintage film footage of those who died.
President Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel on health care reform. The children of Haiti, who were among the hardest hit earthquake victims. Twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan, who dominate the world of tennis doubles.
CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer speaks with House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) and DCCC Chairman Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) about Sunday's upcoming health care vote and how they will pass it.
Governor Quinn discusses his efforts to win approval for an income tax hike to balance the budge. He also discusses transit funding, a Democratic running mate...and Republican rival Bill Brady's budget ideas.
President Obama, in his weekly radio address, tells Congress to act quickly and pass financial reform to prevent economy from sliding into another Depression.
WBBM-AM 780 has been the consistent all news radio voice in Chicagoland for over 35 years and is now streaming online for free. Listen online to Chicago news as it happens around the clock, along with Chicago traffic, Chicago weather, Chicago sports and Chicago business. Subscribe to WBBM's free podcasts for additional Chicago business and Chicago community reports and listen to Chicago news on demand. WBBM news radio is also the home for Chicago Bears, Chicago Auto Show and Chicago Air & Water Show. www.wbbm780.com
E-Mail Story
Print Story
