The American Veterans Traveling Tribute Vietnam Wall will be on display in Carbondale, Illinois, September 11-14. The wall will be set up at the practice football field on the campus of Southern Illinois University during Veterans Appreciation Week at SIU.
Southern Illinois University, Shawnee Detachment 812 - Marine Corps League and Southeast Missouri State University's veterans organization worked together with many other businesses and organizations to make the visit possible.
Tom Meyer of Cape Girardeau is one of the individuals that has been involved with bringing the wall to the region. Meyer says it has been a lot of work but it has been enjoyable. He said, "We like to enjoin the SIU veterans with the Southeast military veterans and this gives us that opportunity to reach across the river."
The traveling Vietnam Wall visited the area about 30 years ago. Meyer remembers that visit and noted that he and other Vietnam veterans stood watch 24/7 at the wall during that period and talked with those that stopped by.
As for the wall itself, Meyer said it is an 80% replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. He said, "If you can visualize the wall to be the length of a football field and eight feet plus at the center, you will be able to look at each name and even take rubbings off of this wall."
This visit by the Vietnam Memorial Wall is part of Veterans Appreciation Week at SIU. On Saturday, September 13 at 6 p.m., Southeast will take on SIU in the annual veterans appreciation football game in Carbondale. Before the game there will be veterans tailgating and special seating set aside for veterans.
Organizers are expecting 5,000 - 7,000 people to visit the wall during the week and perhaps 10,000 or more for the football game. Meyer said, "We're reaching across the river, both campuses, although when we get on the field to play football or basketball, we'll go into it head strong. This is the first chance we've had to reach across the river and the veterans are the ones that are leading the way."
For additional information, contact Tom Meyer at (573) 334-2875 or Mark Cosgrove at (618) 967-9462.
SCHEDULE
9/10: Wall escorted to Carbondale, IL via US 51, ETA 5 p.m.
9/11: Opening Ceremony 6:30 p.m.
9/11-14: Exhibit open 24/7; evening ceremonies 9/12 & 9/13
9/13: Veterans Day
9/14: Morning Services, 9 a.m.; Closing Ceremony, 1:30 p.m.; Exhibit closes, 3 p.m.
