The ultimate sacrifice
For Lisle VFW Commander and Vietnam vet Jerry Neuberg, the American Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall rolls into town this week carrying memories of his time as a Navy medic.
"One-third of my class that I went through training with was killed," he said.
He'll remember those faces as he scrolls the names engraved on the 8-foot by 370-foot-long stone wall honoring those who died in service, as well as those who died Sept. 11, 2001, and in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"It's important because it pays tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms," Neuberg said. "I never had a chance to get to Washington myself (to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall). It gives people the opportunity to see the wall and see the scope of it."
The 80 percent replica arrived Wednesday in Lisle with a ceremonial escort from Heritage Harley-Davidson to its position at the old village hall site at Main Street and Burlington Avenue where it will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the weekend.
The visit is a combined effort between Ross Bishop VFW Post 5696, the village of Lisle, the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District, the Lisle Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Rolling Thunder Illinois Chapter 1.
Opening ceremonies begin tonight at 6 p.m. with the raising of the colors, Pledge of Allegiance, national anthem, prayer service and a speech by state Rep. Jim Meyer, a Naperville Republican.
Friday, 450 local schoolchildren will take field trips to the site during the day.
The Sept. 11 memorial begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday and will be led by members of the village's Character Counts teen program. At 6 p.m. David Beamer, father of Flight 93's Todd Beamer, will speak. Todd Beamer is credited with using the phrase "Let's roll" before leading a revolt against terrorists that caused the plane to crash into a Pennsylvania field.
Saturday's events include speakers, a Run to the Wall by Rolling Thunder, and a candlelight vigil at 8 p.m. Closing ceremonies start at 6 p.m. Sunday.
In addition to events at the wall, the Lisle Teens With Character group organized several charity events. The group organized the village's first grassroots Sept. 11 memorial after the attacks.
"We have to take 9/11 and continue to make positives in our communities so it never happens again," said Laura Davidson, the group's community outreach coordinator.
On Saturday, they'll have a charity car wash and blood drive in addition to Lislepalooza, a charity concert featuring several local bands.
Mayor Joseph Broda looks forward to the extra attention the prestigious tribute will bring to Lisle.
"We expect a lot of visitors. It means a lot of people will come to the village of Lisle and see what we have to offer," Broda said. "This is one of the things I'm very proud of."
Neuberg said it's important to properly honor those who died.
"It's not a political statement of any kind. It doesn't say anything about supporting or not supporting war," he said. "This whole weekend is to honor the warriors, not the war."