Above / In 2009, the first Naperville Healing Field of Honor displayed 2,009 American flags in clear view of the Naperville Municipal Center. For 2015, 2,015 flags will wave in tribute that freedom isn’t free.
UPDATE Oct. 24, 2015 / Moving right along, employees of the Naperville Park District were busy fighting the heavy rain early Saturday morning as they continued to right the framework for Naperville’s Vietnam Wall that will be set with 70 panels listing names of all fallen heroes from the Vietnam era.
During the Healing Field of Honor, a separate special tribute around a tree near the Riverwalk Eatery will include 11 Naperville men who sacrificed their lives during the often controversial war in Southeast Asia.
Above / Early Saturday workers dodged heavy rain for a short time (and PN’s cameras tried, too!) while the framework was updated to fit the 70 aluminum panels. This next week, the frame will be painted an off-black color to complement the replica of the Vietnam Wall memorial.
The front page of the October 24, 2015, edition of the Daily Herald features a story that demonstrates the high-tech printing process by Blooming Color. See how it runs.
UPDATE Oct. 22, 2015 / Workers have been assembling the framework for Naperville’s replica of the Vietnam Wall for the past week in order to be ready for the field of American flags that will be set up on Nov. 6. Located at the edge of Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk, the recognition of individuals who served during the Vietnam era will be an added focus of the 2015 Healing Field of Honor when a spectacular display of 2,o15 American flags will wave freely during the week of Veterans Day through Nov. 12.
Above / The framework for Naperville’s Vietnam Wall is being set for the panels that will list names of all who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam era.
Above / Rosemarie Breske Garvey shows one of many panels being printed at Blooming Color via a specialty application on aluminum sheets for the Vietnam Memorial Wall. The replica of the wall and other tributes are being created to help recognize the armed services in Naperville during the week of Veterans Day as the nation remembers the 50th anniversary since the Vietnam War began.
Observe Veterans Day at 11AM Nov. 11
Remember that for 2015, the Veterans Day observance usually held at Veterans Park will be moved to the Healing Field of Honor on Rotary Hill. The ceremony begins at 11AM Wed., Nov. 11, complete with patriotic music and the sounds of the 72-bell Millennium Carillon. The entire community is welcome to attend this annual observance organized by Naperville veterans from the American Legion Post 43 and Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873.
Originally Posted Aug. 5, 2015 / The National Healing Field Foundation will join Operation Support Our Troops – America and the Naperville Park District in support of the 2015 Naperville Healing Field of Honor when it returns to Rotary Hill in downtown Naperville November 6-12, the week leading up to Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
American flags once again will be displayed proudly on Rotary Hill as organizers aim to unite the community in recognition of the honorable men and women of the U.S. Military.
Special tribute to all who served during Vietnam era
This year marks the beginning of the U.S. Department of Defense “Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program” to thank, honor and highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War, organizers note. The Naperville Committee will pay tribute to veterans of this era with “50 Years of Healing” which will include special programs and the inclusion of a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The week-long event will honor and remember the 3 million service men and women who left family and friends to fight a politically unpopular war far from home. Visitors will have the opportunity to observe that 58 thousand died serving in Southeast Asia and many veterans who returned from the conflict did not receive a worthy welcome home. After five decades, the Naperville 2015 Healing Field of Honor® field of flags will stand as a solemn tribute to those who fought and died during the Vietnam War.
The proceeds from this memorial will go to the Allen J. Lynch Medal of Honor Veterans Foundation.
Flags for the Healing Field Memorial may be purchased for $30. For another $5, you may dedicate a flag with a special “Tag of Honor.” Flags can be picked up from the field on the final day of the event or shipped to you for an additional $5.
Flag order forms are available at the Naperville Park District Administrative Office and online at www.healingfield.org/naperville.
Donations are welcome by contacting Anna Zimmerman, Fundraiser Chair, at annaz@wowway.com.
