Latest news with #TheWallThatHeals'
Chicago Tribune
17-07-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Antioch hosting Vietnam Veterans Memorial ‘Wall That Heals'; ‘This is simply a very hard and touching honor to pay tribute to them'
'The Wall That Heals' is a three-quarter-scale replica modeled after the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the Nation's Capital. Like the original, its panels are inscribed with the names of 58,261 U.S Armed Forces members who were killed or went missing during the war. Seeing the chevron-shaped monument at the Tim Osmond Sports Complex in Antioch was nothing short of impactful to many in attendance. Even more so, when illuminated at night. 'This means a great deal to me for several reasons, as one of my very best friends and several others I know who gave their lives are on this wall,' Steve MacInnes said. 'This wall is a symbol for Vietnam veterans who are not forgotten, and who will always be remembered.' Opening ceremonies were held on Thursday morning. The memorial is situated on the football field at 39 Depot Street until Sunday, and is open for viewing around the clock. The Vietnam Memorial Fund administers the schedule for the exhibit, now in its 30th year. The municipality was selected as one of 31 hosting locations in 2025, from a pool of 163 communities that applied for the exhibit. It was largely done through the application efforts of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Barbara Porch, its executive director. 'The Antioch Chamber has been interested in hosting this for several years,' Porch said. 'The chamber applied in 2024, and was successful in being given this opportunity. We feel that Antioch is a perfect place because of the willingness of our residents, and those in the surrounding communities, to become involved. 'It is important for young people of today to look forward to the future, but equally important for them to look back and learn what our country experienced to bring us to the present day,' she said. 'There are so many things to learn about history. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is an outstanding salute to our veterans, and we hope young people learn by visiting.' The original memorial was designed by artist Maya Lin as two long black granite walls that are 246 feet each in a 'V' shape, cut into a bluff. The key feature is duplicated in its traveling counterpart, as the exhibit rises above visitors in walking toward the apex. Volunteers are on-site throughout the display's Antioch stay, acting as docents in guiding tours, while security is also provided. Visitors are encouraged to make rubbings from the indented names of family and friends on the panels. 'I'm the son of a Greatest Generation World War II combat veteran,' Michael Keshan, a site volunteer, said. 'Having friends who served in Vietnam and several who did not come home, this is simply a very hard and touching honor to pay tribute to them.' Chamber member and volunteer Cruzanne Lewis said, 'This is a tremendous undertaking by people giving time, who will be there all night … to be a presence and assist. There is also a strict decorum. They wore white gloves to install the panels, and they are set in a way that no car headlights will shine on the memorial.' MacInnis noted, 'This is constantly a reminder of a time that was not perhaps the best in our world, in our country. Yet, there isn't one Vietnam veteran who wouldn't tell you they weren't there for their brothers and sisters. They would do it again, if they had to do it.' A special ceremony, 'Eight Women On The Wall — A Nursing Tribute,' is scheduled for 8 a.m. Saturday. Closing ceremonies are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Traveling Vietnam veteran memorial leaves mark in the Upstate
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A traveling memorial honoring Vietnam veterans was on display at The Deerwood Farms in Liberty from May 15th-May18th. 'The Wall That Heals' was open 24 hours a day for everyone to visit, reflect and remember Vietnam war heroes. It left a lasting impact on Debbie Hayes who told 7NEWS a childhood friend of hers passed away in the Vietnam war. Hayes said she was able to find her friend's name on the wall. She said he was 20 years old when he was killed. 'When you know somebody and you see the name is just heart wrenching, it really is,' said Hayes. The memorial was chock-full of the names of more than 58,000 men and women who served and gave their lives in the Vietnam War, as well as those who are still missing. The memorial is a replica of the 'Vietnam Veterans Memorial' in Washington DC, which sees around 5.6 million visitors every year, according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Organizers told 7NEWS the wall had been displayed in nearly 800 communities across the nation and is funded through donations. 'My husband was in the draft and almost had to go himself when he was 18. So, when you realize the men on this wall are 18, 19,20,21.. for him not to come home, it's not something you'd ever expect,' Hayes added. Representatives with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund said they chose to bring the wall to Pickens County because of the strong representation of veterans in the area. Volunteers were on site to help visitors find specific names on the wall if they requested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman hopes to inspire next generation of accountants
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Bridget Kaigler is the first woman of color to become chair of the Society of Louisiana CPAs in its 113-year history. Before taking on her new leadership role, she worked on the state and local tax committees. Kaigler's journey in the accounting world started over 15 years ago as a way to care for her son. She's proud of herself for not letting her struggles or challenges stop her from chasing her dreams and creating a legacy. 'I encourage my son to also enter the accounting profession. He is three years post-grad and he is an accountant as well. So just creating this family legacy of accountants is, I think, is remarkable in itself,' Kaigler said. She is also a Capital Region 500 winner. Kaigler said although awards aren't everything, she wants the next generation to know that success is attainable. 'It's important too for individuals to see where you are today. But I think it's most important for people to know where you started because it's truly, it's truly a long-distance race,' Kaigler said. Remarkable Women: Sashika Baunchand's organization mentors young Louisiana girls Kaigler's mission is to show students there are endless opportunities under the accounting umbrella. She travels statewide to speak to college students in accounting courses and young kids grades K-12. 'All of those teachable moments and mentors and people that inspire me. I'm glad to be in to be able to pay that forward and inspire others,' Kaigler said. She said there's room for everyone in the accounting world. Remarkable Women: Baton Rouge mom helps other parents after losing son to rare disorder Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman hopes to inspire next generation of accountants National Weather Service could face potential cuts amid workforce layoffs 'The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans East Baton Rouge Parish students take a stand against underage drinking Louisiana executes death row inmate Jessie Hoffman using nitrogen gas Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A powerful tribute to Vietnam veterans made its way through Baton Rouge, accompanied by the roar of motorcycles. The Wall That Heals, a traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, arrived with a special escort, offering the community a moving opportunity to honor the lives lost in the war. The journey began at O'Neal Lane and concluded at Life Tabernacle Church, where the wall will remain on display until Sunday. Among those leading the escort was ride captain and veteran Paul Ledut, who shared what the moment meant to him. 'The wall means a lot to me. I have a lot of friends who are on the wall also,' Ledut said. 'This ride is about showing honor and respect for the Vietnam vets and those who never made it home.' The replica, which features nearly 60,000 names of fallen service members, also includes a mobile education center. Team member Tim Tetz explained how the exhibit connects with local communities. 'We're going to show those from this parish and surrounding parishes who are on the wall—their names, their photographs, their stories,' Tetz said. Visitors will have the opportunity to reflect, heal, and pay tribute to those who served. For many, the experience is deeply personal. 'You might be remembering a family member you lost,' Tetz said. 'Or you might learn something about the Vietnam War that you were never taught in school or told by your loved ones.' Organizers said The Wall That Heals serves as a powerful reminder of sacrifice, service, and the importance of never forgetting our nation's heroes. Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman hopes to inspire next generation of accountants National Weather Service could face potential cuts amid workforce layoffs 'The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans East Baton Rouge Parish students take a stand against underage drinking Louisiana executes death row inmate Jessie Hoffman using nitrogen gas Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
East Baton Rouge Parish students take a stand against underage drinking
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — As spring break approaches, several East Baton Rouge Parish students are taking a stand to prevent underage drinking. One of those students, Carmello Daigre, a junior at Istrouma High School, believes underage drinking is an issue that needs to be addressed. 'Underage kids are drinking, partying and thinking that is okay and cool, but that's not something that we should be doing,' he said. 'It can mess with our brain, our body and our mind.' Daigre, along with other students who serve as leaders, participated in an awareness call to action at the Rouses Market on Florida Boulevard on Tuesday. They placed stickers on alcohol aisles as part of the Project Sticker Shock program. The initiative serves as a reminder to adults that purchasing alcohol for minors is not only illegal but shouldn't be done. 'No adult should be handing kids drinks telling them they should drink it,' he said. Dawn Chanet Collins, prevention coordinator at Capital Area Human Services, explained that Baton Rouge students are not the only ones who take part in this prevention program, but also students in other surrounding parishes. She hopes the initiative will encourage teens to make responsible decisions, especially concerning alcohol and addiction. 'It's harder for those who have an addiction in their youth to overcome that addiction,' she said.'They don't need to cheat themselves and set themselves up for a harder life experience by starting early.' Remarkable Women: Louisiana woman hopes to inspire next generation of accountants National Weather Service could face potential cuts amid workforce layoffs 'The Wall That Heals' arrives in Baton Rouge, honoring Vietnam veterans East Baton Rouge Parish students take a stand against underage drinking Louisiana executes death row inmate Jessie Hoffman using nitrogen gas Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
