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Vietnam Veterans Memorials Wall coming to Marion

By John D. Homan, The Southern

Monday, March 10, 2008 11:06 PM CDT

MARION - The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, a traveling tribute to soldiers of the Vietnam War, will be making a pass through Marion on Sept. 4-7.

Marion Main Street spokesman Jo Loomis said Monday that the wall will be situated on the south parking lot of the Illinois Centre Mall. Marion Main Street is helping to finance the event, along with Marion's VFW Post 1301, American Legion Post 147 and the city of Marion.

"The exhibit will be open 24 hours a day and will be lighted all night with security," Loomis said. "Visitors may take etchings of names as visitors often do at the actual memorial in Washington, D.C. Visitors will have access to computers in order to find names of the heroes who died in Vietnam."

The traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, an 80-percent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, stands 8 feet high at its apex and is over 370 feet long.

"We've been working on getting the wall here since last September," Loomis said. "The last time the wall was in Southern Illinois was about six years ago in Herrin. We're now in the process of raising some additional monies to help promote the event."

Loomis said the cost to bring the wall to the region is about $9,000 and that doesn't include advertising costs.

Along with the wall will be other war exhibits, such as the Cost of Freedom displays and nine large memorials represented in gold dog tags under glass to remember and honor all who died in service since Vietnam, including 9/11; a large art display; Vietnam Remembered; and a Walk of Heroes display. Other displays include photos, pictures and information about World War II and the Korean conflict.

Admission is free.

Marion American Legion Post Commander Dan Fruge said he thinks it's good for the city and region that the wall is coming to town.

"When it came to Herrin a few years ago, I couldn't even go up to it. I get too emotional," Fruge said. "But this time around, I got on the committee to help bring the wall here. I'm now looking forward to seeing it. And I hope we can get as many veterans from our club and the VFW involved in the project as possible."

Loomis said special invitations are extended to all students and parents and grandparents of elementary, junior high and high schools in the area to visit the exhibit.

"Marion Main Street is doing this to honor all veterans and those serving today," Loomis said. "We must always separate the warrior from the war and never fail in our support for our men and women of the Armed Forces. Without them there would not be a United States of America."

Anyone who would like to help fund the viewing of the Vietnam Memorial Wall is asked to contact Loomis at 964-9753.

john.homan@thesouthern.com

351-5805