The Morton Illinois American Legion Post #318 is pleased to have hosted the "Wall That Heals" May 1st thru the 4th, 2008.

The "Wall That Heals" is a half size replica of the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington D.C. It is owned and operated by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. The "Wall That Heals" was purposely scheduled at this time of year so that it could be used as an education opportunity. Students of all ages were invited to visit the wall and given tours of the wall by veterans who are very knowledgsble about the wall and the Vietnam War.

This particular version of the wall was chosen in part because it is accompanied by a museum to assist in the educational opportunity. We had over 2000 students vist the wall.

Of course, the "Wall That Heals" will be open to the general public as well as the students. We had beteen 12,000 and 15,000 visitors during the display weekend.

In addition to the Wall That Heals display three other exhibits were on the Jefferson School grounds. These exhibits were a Vietnam War Era Huey Helicopter, a display of poetry and photographs from Gary Jacobson and a display of photographs and artifacts from John Hosier.

The helicopter was shown by the Prairie Aviation Museum from Bloomington, Illinois.

Gary Jacobson is a published Poet who has extensive poems about his time in Vietnam. Gary now lives in Idaho.

John Hosier was a combat photographer for part of his tour in Vietnam. He holds a doctorate in Asian studies and has been back to Vietnam since the end of the war. John is from the St Louis area.

Ron Winter served as a helicopter machine gunner, flying 300 missions, and earning numerous decorations, including 15 Air Medals, Combat Aircrew Wings, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After Vietnam he returned to his studies earning undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering and English Literature. In a two-decade journalism career that included stints as investigative reporter, supervising editor, and columnist, Winter received several prestigious awards and a Pulitzer nomination. He currently works as a writer specializing in media relations and is a fierce advocate of veterans’ rights. Winter speaks regularly to school and community groups on the history of the Vietnam War.

LT Bobby Ross Served with the Army as an infantry Lieutenant. After his tour was done, Ross went to Nashville and worked as a producer and performer. Ross is the founder of a group known as the LRRPnet. Ross held a concert on the 3rd of May at JEFFERSON GRADE SCHOOL. He and his LRRPnet also held a conference on PTSD and TBI focusing on the needs of our current military personnel. This event was attended by vets from 5 states In addition Ross spoke at the Wall about the importance of remembering our fallen brothers and sisters. Ross now lives in the San Francisco area

Col. T. O. Surdivant (ret) T.O. Spent 3 tours in Vietnam as an Infantry Unit Commander Retired from the Army in 1977. After his miltary carreer, he practiced law in the state of Georgia until he became a judge in 1983. He retired from the bench in 2000.

Commemorative t-shirts and other items are available for sale at

http://www.cafepress.com/wallthatheals

SCHEDULE OF

EVENTS

THUSRDAY MAY 1 8AM EXHIBIT OPENS 8AM-2PM SCHOOL TOURS 4PM OPENING CEREMONY   FRIDAY MAY 2 8AM-2PM SCHOOL TOURS 6PM REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY   SATURDAY MAY 3 NOON PTSD/TBI CONFERENCE AT THE LEGION POST 4PM REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY 7PM LT BOBBY ROSS IN CONCERT (INVITATION ONLY)   SUNDAY MAY 4 4PM CLOSING CEREMONY THE WALL WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL EARLY MONDAY MORNING THE OTHER EXHIBITS WILL BE CLOSING AT 8PM SUNDAY EVENING.