Editorial: Myriad ways you can honor veterans' service today

Today the country honors veterans from every war for their dedication, service and sacrifice. Suburban communities and schools will commemorate the day with services, speeches and ceremonies that these men and women deserve. If you can't make one of those events, however, there are other ways to commemorate the day.

One of those is to visit Naperville's Healing Field of Honor - a sight to behold and an invitation to silently but powerfully remember our vets. Located on Rotary Hill in downtown Naperville overlooking the DuPage River and the city's Riverwalk, 2,015 flags have been set up along with a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial. It's the third time the field has come to Naperville.

"The flags take on a whole other personality," said Marty Walker, chairman of the year's display. "When you come here at night, you get the sense of peace, tranquillity."

Those who visited the flags this past weekend, agreed. "This field is unbelievable. It brings a tear to your eye," said Tom Begg, of Indian Head Park.

This year, the theme of the healing field marks the 50th anniversary of the ramp-up of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, a key moment in our history and one rife with controversy at the time. "We honor and remember the 3 million servicemen and women who left family and friends to fight a politically unpopular war far from home. 58 thousand died serving in Southeast Asia leaving behind family and friends who yet carry the burden of their loss," says the Naperville Healing Field website.

"What we dealt with in Vietnam and coming home made us stronger and more resolute," said Medal of Honor recipient Allen J. Lynch of Gurnee, the keynote speaker at a weekend event at the site. "A lot of people say that we were mistreated, that we were abused ... (But) We said we want a memorial and we made it happen."

But today is not just about Vietnam or wars old or new. It's about those who served, no matter the time they wore the uniform.

"When you're involved in the activity at the time, you don't think too much about it," said Jim Oftedal, 68, of Naperville, who served in the late 1960s. "But as you get older, you realize how lucky you were (that you came home when others did not.)"

"This is a field of honor that is dedicated to all of our veterans," Walker said.

Another unique place to honor veterans is at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. Approximately 1,300 candles will be lit in a luminaria tribute in the First Division Museum's lobby, galleries and courtyard. Photos of active soldiers or veterans will be projected in the museum's lobby as well, a personal touch that families are sure to appreciate.