By: Angela Mennecke
View Photos of the Memorial Wall Here
The Glen Ellyn American Legion Post 3, in partnership with the Village of Glen Ellyn and College of DuPage, will host the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall from Wednesday, May 29, to Sunday, June 2, in Parking Lot C on COD’s main campus, located at 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.The 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C., the traveling wall stands 6 feet tall at the center and covers almost 300 feet from end to end. Viewing is free and open to the public. The memorial will be open from 2 to 8 p.m. on May 29 and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 30 to June 2.
A welcome ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 1. The event will include remarks from COD President Dr. Brian Caputo, Glen Ellyn Village President Mark Senak, and State Rep. Amy Grant. Additionally, the Proviso East Marching Band and Glen Ellyn Fire Department color guard will deliver a musical presentation.
Our purpose in bringing the Vietnam Wall to Glen Ellyn is to give community members an opportunity of a lifetime to see the 58,318 names of our fallen patriots and all those men and women who survived the war.
Mike Formento, commander of Glen Ellyn’s American Legion Post 3
Mike Formento, commander of Glen Ellyn’s American Legion Post 3, stated that the traveling wall serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by brave individuals during the Vietnam War.
“Our purpose in bringing the Vietnam Wall to Glen Ellyn is to give community members an opportunity of a lifetime to see the 58,318 names of our fallen patriots and all those men and women who survived the war,” he said. “This is especially important to those attending who otherwise are not able to make the trip to Washington, D.C. We must always remember that the men and women of Vietnam fought for freedom in a country where liberty was in danger.”
The traveling exhibit also includes the Wall of Honor, which commemorates fallen service members from Operation Desert Shield to the present, including those lost in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and artwork depicting the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
Dr. Caputo expressed his profound honor as COD prepares to host the memorial.
“The College is proud to partner with the Glen Ellyn American Legion Post and the Village of Glen Ellyn, along with other sponsors, on this remarkable exhibit,” he said. " By bringing this powerful symbol of remembrance to our campus, we invite the community to reflect on our country’s history and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service.”
The Vietnam Memorial Wall is located in Washington D.C. and was designed by architect Maya Lin as one large epitaph dedicated to American servicemen killed in the conflict. The names are inscribed chronologically according to the date of death for the 58,318 Americans listed.