The Wall That Heals, a 250-foot replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, will come to Lake of the Woods from June 23 to 26.
The wall, a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. designed to travel to cities throughout the United States, was unveiled on Veterans Day 1996. The project was funded by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
The Wall That Heals includes all 53,253 names inscribed on the original wall.
Designers believe bringing The Wall That Heals” to cities around the United States “gives our local veterans who are unable to visit D.C., a chance to see The Memorial, while allowing those veterans who are unable to cope with the prospect of facing The Memorial the strength and courage to do so within their own communities.”
They also hope the replica gives individual an opportunity to show their respect and gratitude to those who served.
The Wall will leave from St. Joseph High School at 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, June 22. Champaign County residents are invited to join the procession.
With construction on Interstate-74 between Champaign and Mahomet, the Wall route to Lake of the Woods has been detoured to travel along IL-150 between Prospect Avenue and the Prairieview Road. The Wall will then travel north on Prairieview Road, then west on Tin Cup Road before arriving at Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve.
The Wall That Heals will be located at the Lake of the Woods Peninsula near Lake of the Woods Road. An opening ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 23. The monument will be open to visitors 24 hours a day until closing at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 26.
A candlelight vigil at 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 25 will honor the 37 Champaign County soldiers named on the Wall.
