Above / For the third time, Healing Field of Honor returns to Rotary Hill to help observe Veterans Day with the support of community volunteers, veterans’ organizations and the Naperville Park District.
The Naperville Healing Field Committee, Operation Support Our Troops and the Naperville Park District invite the public to view and support the 2015 Healing Field of Honor ”50 Years of Healing” on display from Nov. 6-12 at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk in clear view of Moser Tower with the 72-bell carillon.
Allen J. Lynch, Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipient, also returns to Naperville to be the featured speaker at special events.
Above / In 2009, Naperville hosted its first Healing Field with 2,009 American flags. (PN File Photo)
Opening Memorial Ceremony
The opening ceremony will take place at 10AM on Sat., Nov. 7, at the base of Moser Tower on Rotary Hill. The Vietnam Veteran Memorial Wall will be dedicated and the 11 soldiers who lost their lives from Naperville will be honored. Allen J. Lynch will be the featured speaker.
Veterans Day Observance
For 2015, the Veterans Day observance usually held in Veterans Park will begin exactly at 11AM on Wed., Nov. 11, also at the base of Moser Tower on Rotary Hill, with guest speaker Allen J. Lynch. (Note “11-11-11.”)
In addition, Vietnam veterans will be available throughout the week to meet with school groups, scouts and organizations. Meet them at the Riverwalk Eatery or schedule a meeting time by contacting M.J. Howenstine at howenstinemj@gmail.com.
2015 Healing Field will feature 2,015 American Flags
The Healing Field of Honor is a patriotic display of American flags honoring all those who serve or have served in the U.S. military. Naperville’s 2015 Healing Field of Honor “50 Years of Healing” will include a display of 2,015 flags on Rotary Hill and a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. The replica will pay tribute to Vietnam war veterans as part 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.
Above / In the distance, the frame for Naperville’s replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall is set, painted and prepared for panels that will be on exhibit during the 2015 Healing Field of Honor Nov. 6-12. The white flags around this tree mark the site of a special tribute that will be placed here in honor of 11 Naperville men who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the unpopular war. A 12th tribute will recognize other local men and women who served during Vietnam. (PN Photo Oct. 29, 2015)
Directories containing the names of the fallen men and women will be available on the field and in the Riverwalk Eatery. Veterans will be available to help visitors locate a specific name.
Flags for the Healing Field of Honor “50 Years of Healing” may be purchased for $30, with the option of dedicating a flag with a “Tag of Honor” for $5. To learn more or to donate, visitwww.healingfield.org/naperville.
The Healing Field of Honor will be located at Rotary Hill, adjacent to Moser Tower with the Millennium Carillon, at 443 Aurora Ave. in Naperville.
Much appreciated news update submitted by Sue Omanson for the Naperville Park District / PN File Photos
James Hoch Photography / 50 Days to Commemorate 50 Years of Healing – Plus Assembly
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