Vietnam Memorial Wall replica honors veterans

Planners expect that about 20,000 people will visit the 8½-foot-tall replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall, which will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Monday.

The replica, larger than some traveling walls but 80 percent the size of the permanent one in Washington, D.C., will be set up at Alexian Field.

The event, called the Cost of Freedom Tribute, will include displays honoring veterans from conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and World War II, in addition to military women and public-safety heroes, including the Sept. 11 responders.

Cost of Freedom exhibit

"The Cost of Freedom" opens Friday morning at Alexian Field, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg.

FRIDAY

8 a.m. Color guard

10 a.m. Student program, with Steve Doty speaking and Wayne Messmer singing

11 a.m. St. Peter Lutheran Band

6:30 p.m. Hoffman Estates High School

7 p.m. Opening ceremony, Allan Lynch speaking, music by Hoffman Estates High School, Georgene Beazley

8 p.m. Color guard

SATURDAY

8 a.m. Color guard

10 a.m. Brenda Marshall

11 a.m. Spring Valley Chorus

Noon Color guard

12:30 p.m. Schaumburg Park District Community Singers

1:15 p.m. Triumphal Entry

2:15 p.m. Arlingtones

3 p.m. St. Hubert Senior Band

4 p.m. Christus Victor Lutheran Church

6:45 p.m. Brotherhood of Harmony

7:15 p.m. Program with Tammy Duckworth, Brotherhood of Harmony

7:45 p.m. Color guard

8 p.m. Candlelight ceremony, including walk at 8:15

SUNDAY

8 a.m. Color guard

1 p.m. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 236 from Janesville

3 p.m. Program, the Rev. James Behnke (Vietnam Special Forces chaplain)

3:45 p.m. Voice of Veterans band

5:30 p.m. St. Peter Children's Choir

8 p.m. Color guard

MONDAY

8 a.m. Color guard

10:30 a.m. Schaumburg High School Band

11 a.m. Ceremony with Steve Doty

Noon Spirit of Life

1:30 p.m. Belles Plus

2:30 p.m. Go Ye

3:15 p.m. Triumphal Entry

4:30 p.m. Gary Graham

6-7:30 p.m. Voice of Veterans band

8 p.m. Color guard ceremony