Chicago Remembers

Chicago honors all veterans of the armed forces who served in Vietnam through a memorial that replaced an earlier memorial and reflecting pool on Wacker Drive dedicated by Mayor Jane M. Byrne on November 11, 1982. Stones inscribed for the earlier memorial were incorporated into the plaza, and a plaque from the Vietnamese Community of Illinois faces the original memorial location. Engraved service emblems recognize the branches of the armed forces that served in Vietnam, and logos of support agencies express appreciation for their commitment to service members far from home. Veterans from Illinois who were killed in action are honored chronologically by year on the name wall so their sacrifice is not forgotten. Those listed after the war ended died from injuries sustained while serving in Vietnam, and their date of death was used; POW-MIAs are marked with a plus sign and listed by the date they became missing. A timeline before the name wall presents historic events and significant battles of the Vietnam War, and a waterwall sculpture of the Vietnam Service Medal commemorates veterans who served their country and the people of South Vietnam; it was designed by artist and Vietnam veteran Gary Tillery.

Chicago, Illinois · United States