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Vietnam “Moving Wall” and “Through the Eyes” Traveling Museum to be on Display from Sept. 26 - 30, 2019 at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside

Daily ceremonies will include the singing of the national anthem by special guests, color guard presentation of the United States flag, keynote speakers and wreath laying ceremonies

Chicago, IL (Sept. 20, 2019) – The “Moving Wall,” a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and the “Through the Eyes” Traveling Museum will be on display at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1400 S. Wolf Rd., in Hillside, Ill., from Thursday, Sept. 26 through Monday, Sept. 30, 2019. An opening ceremony will take place on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 5 p.m. to welcome veterans with Jim Cornelison, known for his rendition of the national anthem at Chicago Blackhawks games, singing the "The Star-Spangled Banner", the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery Color Guard presenting the colors, the Naperville Honor Guard leading the wreath-laying ceremony, and Jim Zwit, Vietnam veteran, serving as the keynote speaker.

“It is an honor for the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago to welcome the ‘Moving Wall’ and the ‘Through the Eyes’ Traveling Museum so our community can pay tribute to our veterans,” said Ted Ratajczyk, executive director of the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Chicago. “In addition to the Masses and rosaries we offer on Memorial Day and Cemetery Sunday, this tribute offers another opportunity for families and a grateful nation to have a tangible connection with those we have lost.” 

The “Moving Wall” has toured the U.S. since 1984 and is a half-size replica created for those who cannot travel to Washington, D.C., to visit the national memorial. John Devitt, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver, and other Vietnam veteran volunteers built the “Moving Wall” in recognition of all veterans, especially Vietnam War veterans. Two “Moving Wall” exhibits travel the U.S. April through November, spending approximately one week at each site.

On Thursday, Sept. 26 at 9 a.m., the “Moving Wall” will be escorted by the Illinois State Police and local police and fire departments. Dozens of motorcycles driven by veterans and non-veterans will travel from Drury Lane through Oakbrook Terrace, Oakbrook, Westchester and Hillside. Residents are encouraged to line the route as the honor ride passes to show support for the veterans riding in the escort and those listed on the wall.

True Patriots Care, a group dedicated to recognizing and supporting those who have served their communities as members of the armed services, will place 1,587 American flags at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. Each flag represents a military member who is Missing in Action. Additionally, 50 state flags will be displayed indicating how many names are on the wall from each state.

Each day, ceremonies will be held to honor the fallen:

  • Friday, Sept. 27 at noon, military chaplains will be remembered. Vietnam veterans Ray Arias and Ray Perez will sing the national anthem and Rev. Matt Foley, an Iraq War veteran, will give a keynote address.
  • Saturday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m., Falconaires Orchestra will perform the national anthem with a special patriotic tribute. Vietnam veteran Julie Beesley will pay tribute to the women of the wall.
  • Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m., the Color Guard from the VFW Post 626 will present the colors and Fr. Lawrence Sullivan, pastor of Christ the King Parish and archdiocesan director of Catholic Cemeteries, will offer the invocation. Speakers include Vietnam veterans J. Donovan and Bob Adams.
  • Closing ceremony on Monday, Sept. 30 at noon, Wayne Messmer will perform the national anthem. The Chicago Police Department will serve as color guard and their Pipes and Drums Band will perform. Speakers will include Hal Burke, Vietnam veteran, and Terry Gulden, a Gold Star family member.

The “Through the Eyes” Traveling Museum, created by John Hosier who served in the infantry unit in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, will also be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery. After Hosier was wounded in combat, he was assigned to the Public Information Office where he took photos in the field with the 173rd combat unit. After he returned from the war, he created the “Through the Eyes” Traveling Museum by combining photographs and 2,000 Vietnam War-related artifacts to help give a very personal perspective of that war. Thousands of veterans, their families, students and others have visited the museum.

The “Moving Wall” and “Through the Eyes” Traveling Museum are open to the public on Thursday, Sept. 26 from 3 – 10 p.m., on Friday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. and on Monday from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Veterans can visit 24 hours a day.

For more information, please visit http://visitthemovingwall.org/TheWall.