Vietnam Veterans Memorial Christmas Remembrance December 9

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The 74 soldiers still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action in Southeast Asia will be remembered at a special ceremony Saturday, December 9 at 1 p.m. at the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery.

 

            During the 19^th Annual Christmas Remembrance, handmade red and white heart-shaped ornaments will be hung by family and friends on the blue spruce planted near the Memorial for this purpose.  Each ornament bears the name of one of the 74 Illinois POWs or MIAs.  Members of the general public may also bring a weatherproof ornament to hang on the tree.

 

Larry "Digger" Gillespie, a member of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter # 534 and Commander of VFW Post 1030, will be the emcee.  The Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus will provide Christmas music.  The color guard will be provided by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter # 534.  Pastor M.C. Johnson of Calvary Temple in Springfield will give the Invocation and Benediction.  The event is free and open to the public.  It is sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which administers the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.