Hopes are high for touring Vietnam Wall event in May
It's taken almost five years, but the wait for Frank Donahue is almost over.
Donahue, a Vietnam War Air Force veteran, has helped organize the Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Memorial Day event, which has honored veterans for the last 44 years. But this year will be particularly special.
The event was extended to four days and will feature a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. This version is 80 percent the size of the permanent one, and larger than other traveling versions.
It will be on display from May 22 through Memorial Day, May 26, at Alexian Field in Schaumburg -- moved from the usual Memorial Day ceremony location of St. Peter Lutheran Church in Schaumburg to accommodate the large crowds anticipated.
Donahue said plans to bring the wall to area started five years ago.
Besides the wall itself, there will be displays honoring veterans from conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea and World War II, in addition to military women and public-safety heroes, including the Sept. 11 responders.
"I know other communities have great Memorial Day events, and I may be biased, but I feel this is unprecedented," Donahue said.
He and other members of the new Schaumburg-Hoffman Estates Vietnam Traveling Wall Committee -- the former Memorial Day Committee -- are calling it the Cost of Freedom Tribute 2008. They've established a not-for-profit group with a Web site at costoffreedomtribute08.org.
Appearances are planned by singer Wayne Messmer and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.
Organizers expect around 20,000 visitors over the four days.
"I took this job on 10 years ago as chairman with the hope to continue to ensure the future generations stay aware of those who sacrifice their lives," Donahue said.
It cost $8,000 to bring the 370-foot-long, 8½-feet-tall wall to Schaumburg. The demand for the wall, which has appeared in towns including Lisle and Glendale Heights, is high, Donahue said. It features all the names of the original wall and began touring in 1998.
"It's for those people who do not have the ability to visit the wall in Washington," Donahue said. "We want to invite everyone, not just the people of Hoffman and Schaumburg."