Military Monday – Moving Vietnam Wall

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

Aug. 9, 2013

Contact:

Herschel Luckinbill, Chairman, The Moving Wall Committee, luckinbill1603@sbcglobal.net,

630-801-9591

or

Amy Roth, Media Representative, The Moving Wall Committee, afroth@aurora.lib.il.us,

630-264-4125

Contributions, Volunteers Needed for Visit of the Vietnam Moving Wall Nov. 7-11

AURORA, IL – Veterans, their families and patriotic individuals can participate in bringing the Vietnam Memorial Moving Wall and other travelling military memorials to Aurora this fall by making a financial contribution and volunteering.

The cost of bringing The Moving Wall to Aurora is $60,000. Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club and Vietnam veteran Herschel Luckinbill heads the team that has received support from Fifth Third Bank, Dieterle Memorial Home of Montgomery, Aurora Fastprint, Inc., Weldstar Co., Wegman Construction and Comfort Suites. The group is approximately half way to its funding goal.

Luckinbill is estimating that more than 300,000 people, including area school children, will come to Aurora during the four days The Moving Wall is on display. The effort is still in need of additional volunteers and contributions. “There will be plenty to do,” Luckinbill said. “There will be a task for every person who would like to help.” To volunteer or make a contribution visit http://www.vietnammovingwallaurora.org/.

The Moving Wall, a 3/5-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., will rise in the practice soccer fields of West Aurora High School and be on display Nov. 7 through 11. Also on display will be the Illinois Fallen Heroes Traveling Memorial and a model of the World War II memorial.

In addition, a Healing Field of more than 2,000 American Flags dedicated to all military veterans, which will be at West High from Nov. 3-13.

Here is a timeline for Moving Wall/Healing Field Events:

•             Nov. 3 – The Healing Field of 2013 American Flags goes on display at West High

•             Nov. 7, morning – Moving Wall arrives at West High escorted by The Patriot Guard Riders.

•             Nov. 7, 1 p.m. – Public viewing of the Moving Wall begins

•             Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. – Opening ceremony at the Moving Wall

•             Nov. 8, 6 p.m. – A public Veteran’s assembly in the West High auditorium featuring keynote speakers Gen. Max Baratz (WA ’52) and Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Sammy Lee Davis

•             Nov. 8, 7:15 p.m. – A flag retirement ceremony at the Wall.

•             Nov. 9, 2 p.m. – Recognition of Gold Star Families who lost loved ones in war

•             Nov. 9, 6 p.m. to midnight – A night out for veterans at Ballydoyle’s to benefit Honor Flight Chicago, a group that flies WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to view the World War II memorial

•             Nov. 10, 10 a.m. – A nondenominational healing service at the Wall

•             Nov. 11, 2 p.m. – A wreath laying ceremony for all branches of the military

•             Nov. 11, dusk – A candlelight vigil at the closing ceremony for the Wall

•             Nov. 13 – Flag pickup day at the Healing Field.

The Wall is engraved with the names of 58,282 Americans who perished in the Vietnam Conflict or are still unaccounted for (Prisoners of War and Missing in Action). Visitors to the Moving Wall also will be able to visit the nearby Healing Field and walk among the flags with family and friends to experience the Spirit of America as they never have before. Made possible by Old Second National Bank and the A+ Foundation for West Aurora, the Healing Field will be free of charge and open to the public daily.

Individuals can sponsor one of the 3-by-5-foot Healing Field flags for a donation of $30 and receive the flag at the end of the event as a premium. An honoring tag will be included for an additional donation of $5. After the event, a flag can be mailed to an address for an additional donation of $10. There are also small business and corporate packages available. To obtain a flag or learn more, visit http://www.aplusfoundation.org/healingfield.asp or email healingfield@sd129.org.

“We want this to be the biggest event this Wall and Aurora has ever seen, and we want it to honor all veterans,” said Luckinbill. “As a Vietnam veteran, having the Wall come to Aurora means everything to me. I served on the first American ship that received direct gunfire in the Vietnam War. I lost a shipmate who slept right above me. I know what war’s about.”