Batavia VFW to host Vietnam Moving Wall
Batavia Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1197 is planning the ultimate tribute to fallen and missing Vietnam War veterans as it prepares to host a Vietnam Moving Wall - a replica of the powerful display in Washington, D.C., that has stirred emotions from visitors since its dedication in 1982.
The work will start soon as the "operations team" of the post's committee planning the tribute will start putting the panels carrying the names of the deceased in Vietnam onto a supporting structure on the VFW's grounds, 645 S. River St.
The post plans an opening ceremony for the public at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, and the 240-foot wall will be on display 24 hours a day until the closing ceremony at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 5.
"We requested having the wall come here, as there are a handful of moving walls available," said Jay Davis, the VFW's chairman for public relations and youth activities related to the wall tribute. "The Naperville VFW schedules this wall, and we are excited about getting it at this time because we feel the weather should be better."
Even if weather is an issue, Post 1197 will have an information tent and some areas to stay warm or dry.
The information tent will have brochures about the Vietnam War and a map of the wall layout.
Also, volunteers can help visitors locate specific names on the wall.
"You draw a very diverse crowd to the wall tribute," said Davis, a North Aurora resident and veteran of the Persian Gulf War. "I've been to the one in Washington, D.C., and a couple of the moving wall tributes.
"It is not unusual for some Vietnam veterans to go and want quiet time alone with the wall with their fallen buddies, and they will come at 2 or 3 a.m.," Davis added.
The VFW will have helpers on-site at the tribute 24 hours a day.
"It's fairly involved work to get the Moving Wall portrayed as accurately as possible as the one in Washington, D.C.," Davis said.
The post also wants to make sure anyone can participate in the tribute, setting up benches near the wall for those who can't stand for long periods of time.
"We're going to also have two golf carts on the site to take people from the information tent to the wall for those who aren't able to walk through the display," Davis added.
Keeping it secure:
Dan Klinkhamer has seen more Kane County Cougar games than most anyone else in the Tri-Cities area. Maybe "seen" isn't the right word. Let's say he's been at the stadium on Geneva's east side most every time the Cougars play a game.
"I've been there 28 years now, first starting as security staff and then being asked to become the director of security," said Klinkhamer, a former commander for the St. Charles Police Department.
He's been with the Cougars nearly as long as he was with the St. Charles police, where he spent 29 years. He did both jobs for nearly a dozen years.
"I also took over first aid at the stadium when I retired in 2004, and I've been doing both for the Cougars ever since," Klinkhamer added.
Newsletter standouts:
When tons of newsletters make their way into your email inbox, it's relatively rare when one of them really grabs your attention through a photo.
But the St. Charles City newsletter has done that a few times of late, particularly in touting the city's 185th birthday.
One photo showed the Main Street Bridge, probably from the 1850s or maybe even earlier. A fellow guiding his horse-drawn supply wagon was making its way across the bridge, with a few buildings on each side of the river. These sorts of historic photos always amaze me.
Another showed a few Civil War soldiers, presumably hanging out at the Farnsworth camp site between what is now Langum Park and the Fox River on the city's east side.
The more current photo was simply a spectacular overhead shot of the current cityscape lit up in the evening.
Of course, the newsletters always inform residents of important things to know, but the photos definitely draw attention.
Woodpeckers' revenge:
In passing along information more than a month ago about how an old grandfather clock in your home could fool woodpeckers into thinking there were insects on the siding of your house, I simply thought to myself that I'm glad I haven't had to deal with these birds wrecking my house.
Woodpecker Nation must have spread the word that I was smearing its good name. I have recently heard that annoying pecking sound on the side of my house, and have had to chase away a culprit on more than a few occasions.
In adding insult to injury, this particular woodpecker looked exactly like the woodpecker that was in the photo accompanying my column.
We fought back, though. An ominous-looking plastic owl now protects the side of my house - and seems to be doing the trick so far.
Thinking about Earth:
For those who want to learn more about nature and our planet, we've had Earth Day set aside at this time of year for nearly 50 years now.
There are likely to be all sorts of things going on next weekend, but here's one to consider.
The Kane County Forest Preserve is hosting an Earth Day celebration from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the Creek Bend Nature Center in LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles.
The free event features Earth Day themed crafts, a scavenger hunt and a guided hike from 1 to 2 p.m.
dheun@sbcglobal.net