Monee Readying for Vietnam Traveling Wall
By Karen Haave
The Village of Monee will exhibit the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall for five days next month at 25711 S Egyptian Trail.
The acclaimed tribute is a replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C.; it stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end.
“The Village is extremely proud to be hosting the Moving Wall on September 5 through 9,” said Monee Police Chief Scott Koerner, who chairs the local committee for the event.
“The Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. It serves to honor the more than 58,000 Veterans who lost their lives to the Vietnam war.
“It is a great honor for the Village of Monee to present the Wall during our 150th anniversary year, and then to have it here during the weekend of Monee Fall Fest makes it even more amazing for our community and the many Veterans in the Chicago area.”
The full-scale memorial was designed by Maya Lin in 1981. At 21 and still an undergraduate student, she won a public competition for its design, to be built on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Her drawing is the shiny black granite wall in a wide “V” shape that continues to be a symbol of enduring legacy, healing and education.
Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for more than 30 years, and has visited Will County before, most recently New Lenox in 2021 and Manhattan in 2023.
Built by Vietnam veteran volunteers, it was displayed for the first time in Tyler, Texas, in October of 1984.
The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C.
There are two replica versions of The Vietnam Veterans Memorial that tour the United States each year between April and November.
Inscribed on the Memorial are the names of service members who were classified as dead, missing, or prisoner. Right of their names are those of women, all nurses: Eleanor Grace Alexander, Pamela Dorothy Donovan, Carol Ann Drazba, Annie Ruth Graham, Elizabeth Ann Jones, Mary Therese Klinker, Sharon Ann Lane, and Hedwig Diane Orlowski.
Veterans confirmed dead have a diamond icon next to the name, while those whose status is unknown have a cross. When the death of one who was previously missing is confirmed, a diamond is superimposed over the cross. If a missing veteran were to return alive, the cross would be enclosed in a circle.
Set-up begins on the morning of September 5, Koerner said, and the wall should be open to the public by noon. Veteran volunteers and Village personnel will all be involved in escorting the Wall into town and then setting it up at the new village hall on Egyptian Trail.
“Opening ceremonies will be at 5 p.m., with Medal of Honor Recipient Allen Lynch as our keynote speaker. This event gives us a chance to honor our fallen and also to show our gratitude and respect to our Veterans.
“A whole generation of soldiers were shamed for serving their country. This event gives us an opportunity to remember the great sacrifices that were made and bring some homage to our Veterans and their families.”
The Village will be flooding the area with informational fliers in the next week, Koerner said. Visit the village web page (https://www.villageofmonee.org) for all the updated information.
Koerner said that monetary donations are being accepted, and some already have been made. Monies will support the Veterans who are volunteering for this event, he said.
“Monee Parks & Rec Director Dianna Kroll and Department of Public Works Superintendent Ed Johnson have been instrumental in getting this event organized, Koerner said, while the Monee Police Department and a host of volunteers will be present 24/7 to secure and assist those who come to see the Wall.
“Our own Vietnam Veteran, Jim Paicz, is coordinating the volunteer efforts,” Koerner said. “See the web page for contact information or reach out to the MPD non-emergency at 708-534-8308.”
Although he is not a military veteran, he was proud to note, “I have several relatives that served in Vietnam.
“It is a very moving tribute,” said Koerner. “I encourage everyone to visit. You won’t regret it.”
Karen Haave is a freelance reporter.