A candlelight vigil at The Wall That Heals in Chicago Heigths offers solemn reflection

John S. Kmiec.

It was one of many names James Paicz, of Monee, got here to seek out on The Wall That Heals in Chicago Heights. Paicz, initially from Chicago, served the USA Military throughout the Vietnam Struggle and had two mates die there.

“One was a Marine and it ought to have been me, however he determined to take the grenade and I lived,” Paicz mentioned of Kmiec. “It’s vital that folks notice the bond we had that one man is prepared to provide his life for an additional to stay. I’m the luckiest man on the planet as a result of he gave his life for me. It’s that easy.”

Paicz mentioned he visits the touring Vietnam Veterans Memorial partitions each likelihood he will get. He did so once more Saturday, simply earlier than a candlelight vigil held at The Wall That Heals, which has been displayed since Wednesday outdoors Marian Catholic Excessive Faculty in Chicago Heights.

The Wall That Heals is a touring three-quarter-scale reproduction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. It was escorted to Chicago Heights Tuesday, constructed Wednesday and open across the clock. A closing ceremony was held Sunday afternoon.

LeRoy Jaworowski, of South Chicago Heights, has seen the unique memorial in Washington in addition to transferring partitions on three events. Jaworowski served the U.S. Military in Vietnam and mentioned he visits to see the names of the blokes, all 19 or 20 years previous, he knew who didn’t come dwelling.

“I’ve been lucky sufficient to make it dwelling and marry a spouse and lift a household,” Jaworowski mentioned. “Every time I consider these guys, particularly on Memorial Day or any type of vacation, I feel they by no means had an opportunity to return dwelling to actually have a life, by no means knew the thrill of being round mates once more, elevating a household. That’s what bothers me.”

When it got here time for Jaworowski to put his candle close to the wall throughout the vigil, he mentioned he considered John A. Prombo. Jaworowski went to high school at St. Agnes together with his sister, and Prombo ended up serving as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

“I used to be simply going into highschool when he received shot down within the helicopter,” Jaworowski mentioned. “I promised her I’d be right here tonight. I took an image of his identify and despatched it to her.”

LaMarr Moragne, of Chicago Heights, volunteered at The Wall That Heals daily it was at Marian Catholic Excessive Faculty. He noticed firsthand the influence it had.

“I attempt to maintain again the tears, nevertheless it’s onerous,” he mentioned. “I’ve heard within the three days I’ve been out right here a whole bunch of tales of people that will always remember this battle.”

Moragne mentioned he’s a member of AM I My Brothers Keeper Outreach Church, which does a number of volunteer work with Bloom Township. However his cause for volunteering was additionally private. He served within the U.S. Navy, has been to the wall in Washington and volunteered with a touring model earlier than.

“It’s solemn,” Moragne mentioned. “I’m not simply serving to them. I’m remembering people who I grew up with whose names are on that wall. It’s very near my coronary heart, as a result of I lastly discovered the names of the individuals I grew up with who died defending this nation.”

Joe Fiaoni, director of faculty security at Marian Catholic, helped put up on the wall Wednesday and was there once more Saturday for the candlelight vigil. He mentioned he served the U.S. Military throughout peacetime.

“I received fortunate,” he mentioned. “Too younger to go to Vietnam.”

However Fiaoni mentioned Gary A. Barnard, of Chicago Heights, whose identify was learn throughout the vigil, used to look at him and his brother.

“He went to Vietnam in ‘68,” Fiaoni mentioned. “Three months later, he was lifeless and we have been devastated. So this factor means the world to me.”

Carlos Saladino, of Chicago, served within the U.S. Military and mentioned he visited the wall Saturday as a result of he is aware of 13 names on it.

“We went to get particular forces out they usually have been ready for us,” Saladino mentioned.

Saladino famous there are solely 600,000 Vietnam veterans nonetheless alive in the USA. He has remained lively in veterans teams.

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“We’ve to maintain historical past going,” he mentioned. “I at all times say there’s a cause I’m right here, and possibly that is considered one of them.”

The vigil began with a prayer by Bishop Ronnie White and the nationwide anthem. It included a second of silence for many who died, a spherical of applause for the veterans and the taking part in of faucets after individuals laid candles.

Bloom Township Supervisor TJ Somer mentioned bringing the wall to the township occurred with nice neighborhood cooperation and great volunteers. He has hung out there daily, assembly veterans and listening to their tales.

“It’s cathartic for everyone. I feel that’s what the wall was meant to do,” Somer mentioned. “I don’t assume we’ll ever once more be capable to expertise one thing like we did by having the wall right here now.”

Somer learn the names of Bloom Township residents who seem on the wall. They’re Robert A. Baetzel, Gary A. Barnard, Juan R. Garcia, Juan Masillo, John A. Prombo, William H. White and Gary R. Wilson from Chicago Heights; Jeffrey C. Lemon from Flossmoor; Paul R. Severson and Scott E. Smart from Glenwood; Park G. Bunker, William E. Cofran, Thomas H. McGrath, William J. Oskilanec, James H. Ward and Philip O. Zum Mallen Jr. from Homewood; Ronald L. Beuster, Albert C. Brose, Danny J. Corrigan, Donald G. Disselkoen, Robert A. Federowski, Charles L. Keller, Andrew R. Sabo, Richard G. Schroeder, Theodore A. Trock and Gene L. White rom Lansing; Louis L. Goers, Lyle W. Hansen, Medford S. Hensley Jr., Robert M. Keene, Harold W. Maddox, Clarence A. Miller Jr. and Clark R. Pedersen from Steger; James A. Department, Rodney O. Davie, Robert W. Grant, John T. King, John A. La Bundy, Gary R. McHugh and Joseph J. Passavanti III from Park Forest; and Michael A. Giunta from South Chicago Heights.

The Wall That Heals is backed by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. It excursions the nation seasonally together with a cell schooling middle. Whereas the wall has been upgraded over time, it has toured in some type since 1996. This marks the primary time it has been hosted by Bloom Township, nevertheless it beforehand appeared in Oak Forest. A half-sized reproduction referred to as The Transferring Wall has appeared in New Lenox and Hazel Crest.

Invoice Jones is a contract reporter for the Each day Southtown.