Vietnam 'Moving Wall' Coming to Western Suburbs

The Moving Wall honoring service members who lost their lives in the Vietnam War is scheduled to come to Berwyn.

Area veterans and residents can visit the traveling Vietnam Veteran Memorial in Proska Park at 3001 Wisconsin Ave., from August 7-11.

The Berwyn Park District has worked for three years to bring the Moving Wall to Berwyn. The exhibit is the centerpiece of the park district’s “Honor 2014” project marking the 50th anniversary when the United States’ involvement in the war grew, and the 30th anniversary of the Moving Wall.

The Honor 2014 project honors both fallen and living Vietnam veterans in the western suburbs, the park district’s blog said.

The Moving Wall is a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial. It was founded by John Leavitt after he attended the dedication of the 1982 dedication of the “Wall” in Washington, D.C. The moving memorial has visited every state in the United States, as well as Puerto Rico, Canada, Guam, and Saipan, according to the Moving Wall Foundation website.

Like the Wall in Washington, D.C., friends and family members place memorabilia and other sentimental items by the names inscribed in the Wall.

After a week-long showing, the memorabilia is collected and stored. The Moving Wall Foundation is raising funds to build a museum in Michigan, where the memorabilia will eventually go on display.

Visit the Moving Wall Foundation for more information about the traveling memorial.

PHOTO: The Moving Wall visits Solon, MA. | Patch File Photo