This weekend I attended the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial Vigil in Springfield, Illinois. This was the 19th year for the vigil. The closing ceremony included a remembrance cermony for Wesley A. Stiverson whose name recently was added to the black marble wall. It brought home to me the reality how the effects of the Vietnam War still lingers in our lives.
I was one of the original Vietnam veterans that started the movement to build the Illinois memorial. During the vigil I had a chance to see and hug most of the other veterans who were apart of that small group. Men who I have not seen for over twenty years. Yet the glow in my heart was just as warm as the excitement in my chest when we were together many years ago with a fire in our bellies this was something that should be done. An idea must start somewhere, it is usually within one mind. It was out of Mike Ferguson's mind that the idea for a Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial was conceived. In fact during those early years only the idea was clear. We didn't know where it should be built, what it should look like, and most important how to get it built. The hearts were true, but the lack of knowledge of how to do it was vast.
At that time I was Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, a member of Governor Thompson cabinet. I took the idea to the Governor. He loved the idea and threw his support behind building the memorial. Of course, when the Governor's office gets involved things happen, people and money show up. Different ideas show up. The simple brother love that inspired the original idea becomes a project that draws government and politics. The idea becomes more than just a thought, it becomes an expression of the people. The original small band of believers provided the idea and spirit that are captured in stone. I am glad my name is not on the memorial, proud and honored to be part of the spirit that energized the creation of it.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
