At the end of a rather busy day. I impulsively pulled into the parking lot in Elmhurst’s Wilder Park. I had not been to the Conservatory in a long while, so, thought I would take a few minutes to see what was flowering and to bask in the calm, rejuvenating presence of place. As I pulled into a parking spot, my breath was caught by the kiss of a breeze on the wave of rows of flags. Memorial Day was but a few days away.
My steps took me toward a direction I had not planned. I bypassed the conservatory and ascended the steep steps of the historic Wilder Mansion. The Mansion was closed, but, I took the advantage that the elevated steps would afford me of a different view of the flags.
The flags are placed in remembrance of those who died while in service to their country. They called Elmhurst home; a home that honors them in this park and in other locations on Memorial Day. I was moved by the flags; by what they represent and the sacrifices made by each life and by their loved ones. I said a silent prayer. A young woman, camera in hand, passed by, looked up at me, and climbed the flight of stairs as well.
As I looked out across the landscape, I could see what looked like a large marker just beyond the flags, and decided to walk the small distance of grass, past the flags, to have a closer look. As I walked, the breeze touched the flags, revealing cards which held the names of those who had died. Two children ran between the rows and I thought it about how the sacrifices of those these flags represent gave us a country where children could frolic free and happy on a warm spring day.
The monument I saw in the background was one that had eluded me for several years. I knew it was in Wilder Park, I just wasn’t successful in finding it. The flags on the lawn and my perch on the steps revealed it to me.
This monument is to honor those from Elmhurst who lost their lives in Vietnam and commemorating the Moving Wall that stood in this park in 1988.
Visiting the Moving Wall in Wilder Park in 1988 was a humbling experience and, I think, a somewhat healing experience for many. It was there that I found the name of a boy from school days; elementary school and high school. It was there we witnessed a friend, head bowed, tears in his eyes. We had not known that he served in Vietnam, nor that most of his squadron had died. His wife had not known he had come to the Moving Wall – alone. It was there I saw a prominent member of the community bow his head and stand. His fraternity brother was named on that wall. It was there that I brought some work friends during our lunch hour, and there one of the principles of the company we worked for went. A few minutes late getting back from lunch, he heard mention of the Moving Wall. He asked me for directions and left. Returning later, he came up to my desk and quietly thanked me. I had not known until that moment that he had served in Vietnam.
I walked from the monument, past the flags and on to the permanent veterans’ memorial in another section of the park. It is here that the annual Elmhurst Memorial Day parade ends and it is here where a military ceremony is held after the parade. It is here where white crosses have been placed in honor and memory of those who gave their lives.
It is not just in Elmhurst, nor just in the United States where memorials are held for fallen military, but, it was here, in this park, where I was, yet again, humbled by the service and the loss of those for whom we take a this Monday at the end of May to honor.
May we always remember.
Dear Penny, this is a moving tribute to the men and women who have given their lives–whether by dying in battle or returning home and living with the memories–in our wars. Thank you for saying so eloquently what this day–with its flags and cemeteries–means to all of us.
A novel you may want to read about WWI and mothers going to France to visit the cemeteries afterward–in 1932 I think– is “A Star for Mrs. Blake” by April Smith.
Although the book is a novel, it is based on a real event; the trip was sponsored by the US government. Peace.
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Your words are so kind, Dee, and I thank you for them. I can only imagine the eternal sadness of losing someone to war and those that return home with their memories is something to honor as well.
“A Star for Mrs. Blake” sound like something I would, indeed, like to read. I will put it on my list. Your recommendations are always so good. Thank you. I think another blogger, a book blogger, reviewed this one for it is sounding familiar. Thank you, Dee.
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Perfect tribute post for the day Penny. The sight of all those flags (and from one town) … just as when we have visited a military cemetery where we saw all those rows of white crosses….heartrending.
We found our school-mate’s name on the traveling wall when it came to Eugene …. . That memorial is perfect in its simplicity and poignancy. I still think about it.
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I remember seeing all of the white crosses at Arlington Cemetery, Sallie and sobbed. They are heartrending.
I agree. It is a perfect memorial in its simplicity. We saw the original one with our children when we were in Washington, DC, and it was a moving experience, but, I think the Moving Wall in this park, so close to home, with names we knew and those who were in Vietnam or lost loved ones held a special poignancy, which it probably did for you as well. It hurts to find a school-mates name, but, it helps, too. I know that feeling. Thank you for sharing that, Sallie.
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Penny, this post touched my heart. Thank you.
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You are so very welcome, Juliet. I know you honor your military at another time and I think of those lost for your country as well.
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What a beautiful post, Penny! Seeing so many markers to fallen soldiers makes me sad and proud at the same time. You’ve captured the feeling so perfectly.
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L. Marie, that is how I feel. I just couldn’t put it into words. “sand and proud at the same time”. Thank you.
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A beautiful post Penny. I hope that somehow we all learn to live together peacefully without wars and the pain and suffering it brings.
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Oh, Gerlinde, I have the same hopes. The world seems particularly fragile these days. Thank you.
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This looks like a lovely and poignant Memorial Day display. You described it beautifully, as well as the Moving Wall. I was there for that in 1988 and was caught by surprise by the intense feeling of loss and sadness I experienced as I approached it.
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It was, Janet. Thank you.
I had a similar reaction when I saw the Moving Wall. For some reason, that reaction was more intense in Wilder Park than in Washington D.C. I think that because the Wall was at home with folks who lived, work, and were from the area made it all-the-more intense.
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I missed this when you first posted, Penny, but it’s never late to remember and pay homage to our fallen heroes. I was so interested in your experience with the moving wall, and I had a similar response when I had the same opportunity a few years ago. I found the one name of a friend I knew to locate, and watched as others wept and almost gripped the wall. I think the loss and sadness you describe does indeed grow as we have aged and now have a greater understanding of the context and loss. I think our generation was definitely marked by Vietnam, and we have lived to watch as the country is now a popular tourist destination–who could have seen that 50 years ago! I am looking forward to the new Ken Burns series and I’m wondering how he is going to cover such a complex piece of history. What a wonderful and moving day you experienced. I’m so glad you shared it with us, my friend.
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You are so very right, Debra; it is never too late and today is Flag Day, so, it is fitting that you stopped by now. 🙂
I agree. In so many ways our generation has been marked. I think the Wall was a turning point. It allowed so many to grieve in so many different ways. I have friends who have visited Viet Nam and we even have produce being sold here from Viet Nam.
I, too, look forward to Ken Burns’ series on Viet Nam. He has found ways to cover the Civil War, WWII, prohibition . . . I’m sure he will do justice to the complicated Viet Nam years. He is actually lecturing here in Chicago soon. Wish I could see him in person.
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