West Dundee, True Patriots Care honored with Governor's Hometown Award

West Dundee and the True Patriots Care organization have been honored with a 2021 Governor's Hometown Award for bringing a Wall That Heals Vietnam War memorial display to the village.

The exhibit, which was displayed Fourth of July weekend in 2019 at Randall Oaks Park in West Dundee, featured a three-quarter-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It also included a mobile education center with audio and video displays, a map of Vietnam and a chronological overview of the Vietnam War.

True Patriots Care and Carpentersville/Dundee American Legion Post 679 held fundraisers to bring the wall to the area in an effort to honor Vietnam War veterans. Accompanying the exhibit was a field of American flags.

The exhibit was brought to Randall Oaks Park under the guidance of a motorcycle escort with hundreds of veterans and supporters lining Main Street to welcome its arrival.

West Dundee and True Patriots Care will be recognized by the Serve Illinois Commission in a virtual celebration of the Governor's Hometown Award at 1 p.m. April 20.

"It was truly a privilege for the village of West Dundee to host the Wall That Heals and to facilitate this remarkable opportunity for our residents and the surrounding community," West Dundee Village President Chris Nelson said in a statement.