Healing Field did just that

Recently, I had the privilege to meet an incredible group of veterans. Our Vietnam veterans. It was an emotional week for many and a week of good feelings for others.

I made a lot of new friends and I shook many veterans' hands as I personally welcomed them home. We displayed 1,748 American flags that represented a POW or MIA who did not return from the war. It was emotional and many grown men cried. But most of them sat and talked with each other and with their families about their experiences - some for the first time in 40 years.

Our parade in their honor also healed some wounds because they truly felt that they were at last welcomed home.

I want to thank the dozens of volunteers that worked for weeks and months helping with the planning, the field layout and the numerous behind-the-scenes work needed to make our event a success. Thanks to all the men and women from the village of Carpentersville public works, fire department and police department, the many schools in District 300 that assisted with the music tribute each day. Thanks to the great sponsors and a special thank you to Tom Roeser, president of Otto Engineering, who listened to my plans and wrote a check that started this very special tribute.

Welcome home and thank you for a job well done.

Jerry Christopherson

Chairman

Patriot Committee of Dundee Township

Carpentersville