Replica of the Vietnam Wall of Remembrance Returns to Naperville November 9

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

At its September 14 meeting, the Naperville Park District Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to co-sponsor the 2023 display of a replica of the Vietnam Wall of Remembrance and a Veterans Day ceremony near the Riverwalk Grand Pavilion, just west of Centennial Beach. A replica of the Vietnam Wall was previously displayed in Naperville as part of the 2015 Healing Field of Honor at Rotary Hill.

The return of the Vietnam Wall of Remembrance commemorates the 50th anniversary of the departure of the last U.S. combat troops from South Vietnam in 1973. The wall is approximately 233 feet in length and includes the names of more than 58,000 service members who gave their lives between 1957 and 1975. Those interested in finding the name of a family member or friend on the wall can search the virtual wall at https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/.

Several community organizations and volunteers are working together to construct and display the 2023 replica and to coordinate the Veterans Day event, including Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873, Naperville American Legion Post 43, and Naperville Responds for Veterans. Blooming Color is donating the panels for the wall and 84 Lumber is providing the wood for the frame.

The display is anticipated to be open to the public from Thursday, November 9 through Monday, November 13. The annual Veterans Day ceremony is planned for Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. For event updates and details, visit napervilleparks.org/vietnamwallofremembrance.