19th anniversary Vietnam Veterans Vigil and Memorial Service May 5 - 6

SPRINGFIELD -- Special ceremonies and a 24-hour vigil honoring Illinois servicemen who died in the Vietnam War will be held Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6 at the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery.  The ceremony also marks the 19^th anniversary of the memorial dedication.

 

            The opening ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5.  The Illinois Veteran Memorial Vigil organization will conduct a 24-hour vigil starting at noon, and the Memorial will remain open to the public during the 24-hour vigil.  The Saturday evening ceremony for the vigil, which will remember the 73 men from Illinois still listed as prisoners of war or missing in action, will be held at 6 p.m.

 

            The closing ceremony, including a remembrance ceremony, will begin at 11:40 a.m. Sunday, May 6.  The remembrance ceremony, "To Those Who Have Served," will recognize Wesley A. Stiverson of Monticello, whose name has recently been added to the Memorial.  The ceremony will also honor all the 2,993 servicemen from this state who died in the Vietnam War or are listed as missing in action, as well as all from Illinois who served.  The Troy Junior High 7th and 8th Grade Concert Choir of Shorewood will perform, and the Illinois Veteran Memorial Vigil will provide the color guard for the occasion.

 

            The May 6 ceremony will conclude with the retiring of the 24-hour vigil honor guard.  The vigil and all of the ceremonies are free and open to the public.

 

            The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is located off Route 29 in Springfield's Oak Ridge Cemetery.