Moving Wall memorial makes stop in Round Lake Beach
Visitors solemnly gathered around The Moving Wall on Thursday while reading the names of troops who died during the Vietnam War.
The Moving Wall, a half-size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is on display in the parking lot of the Round Lake Beach Home Depot until 1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.
"We are very honored that we could bring this. It took a lot of sponsors from the community very much involved to bringing it here," said Laura Frye, director of the Round Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. "We just had our opening ceremony, which was very moving, with many people in tears. It's a very emotional time for some of the people that have loved ones on this wall."
There are 58,272 names - with 2,938 from Illinois - listed on the Memorial Wall, including prisoners of war and those missing in action.
"I find that this is very moving. It is quite an experience looking at the wall and thinking about all these kids that never came home and died for their country," said Vietnam veteran Phil Schultz of Antioch. "I hope that when kids come and look at it they will appreciate the efforts that we put out and the sacrifices that were paid by a lot of people."
The Moving Wall will be open 24 hours. Volunteers are available to help find names and to assist with rubbings.