Bolingbrook Unveils Vietnam Veterans Memorial Stone

BOLINGBROOK, IL - On Saturday to mark Veterans Day, the village of Bolingbrook unveiled its new Vietnam Veterans Memorial Stone on land adjacent to Bolingbrook's Village Hall, 375 West Briarcliff Road. The ceremony honoring our military veterans had a special meaning. Several family members of the late Leroy Brown were on hand for the dedication. Bolingbrook decided to honor Brown's life and his numerous contributions to Bolingbrook by dedicating the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Stone in Brown's honor.

"We had a very nice crowd given the cold weather," Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar told Patch Sunday evening. "The dedication was very well received."

Brown's widow, Pat, and his sons Leroy Brown Jr. and Jeffery Brown were both able to attend Saturday's dedication. Leroy Brown, 73, died two weeks ago, following complications from heart surgery. Leroy Brown was a Vietnam veteran and a Green Beret. A trustee on the village board since the 1990s, Brown also served as Mayor Roger Claar's deputy mayor over the past several years. Brown was safety coordinator for the Valley View School District. Before that, he was Director of Security for Sears Tower for 33 years.

Bolingbrook had spent months planning for Saturday's Vietnam Veterans stone dedication, and Leroy Brown was slated to be one of the event's speakers, Claar explained.

"Unfortunately, he passed away ... (but) it's dedicated to him and for all the veterans," Claar said.

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Additionally, Bolingbrook posted information on its web site praising Peggie McMillan, Bolingbrook's 2017 Female Citizen of the Year, for her role in bringing the concept to reality.

"The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Stone will stand as a special place where surviving soldiers, family and friends find comfort, solace and recognition," Bolingbrook's website proclaims. "In addition to paying homage, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Stone provokes conversation in ways that connect younger generations to stories from the past."

Images via Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar