How It All Happened.
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society
Joe Falzone and Nick Parnello, two young soldiers from Rockford, met while in Plekiu, South Vietnam in 1969, and they vowed to meet for supper if and when they ever made it back home. They did and here's the rest of the story.
This led to the creation of the Vietnam Veteran's Supper Club where Vietnam veterans got together once a month for supper and fellowship.
In 1982 his led to the creation of a veterans group they named VietNow. It has grown into a national organization with about 40 chapters throughout the country.
Shortly after the formation of VietNow, Parnello and Falzone came to the conclusion that there was a need for another organization – an organization that would pay special tribute to those from Winnebago County who had died in Vietnam or were among the missing.
They joined forces with three other Vietnam veterans from Rockford – Tony Bove, Paul Cassioppi and Tony Circelli – to form the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society.
The Vietnam Veteran's Honor Society, founded in 1989 in Rockford, Illinois, honors veterans who served and who have helped other veterans since the Vietnam war.
The long-time project of the Vietnam Veterans Honor Society, the LZ Peace Memorial, is now completed. The Wall of Honor with a genuine, flown-in Vietnam, Huey helicopter rests above the Wall of Honor on a 5 acre tract at the Midway Village Museum campus.
The LZ Peace Memorial is a lasting tribute to those who died in Vietnam, and a place to honor all veterans who served our country.
After years of work, the LZ Peace Memorial is still short of its financial goals. Your contribution at this crucial time will ensure that those who served and died in Vietnam will not be forgotten.
or by sending a check payable to:
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society
P.O. Box 4304
Rockford, Illinois 61110
A contribution of $50 or more entitles you to one of the special, limited-edition art prints of the Tom Heflin Nam poster shown to the left.
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society is a 503(c)(1) not-for-profit organization and contributions are tax deductible.
The founders of Vietnam Veterans Honor Society.
Paul Cassioppi, Tony Circelli, Tony Bove, and Nick Parnello at the dedication of the LZ Peace Memorial on Memorial Day 2005.
Photo courtesy of Tom Clabough Photography
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society, P.O. Box 4304, Rockford, Illinois 61110, 815.968.1040
Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Rd., Rockford, Illinois 61107, 815-397-9112
Joe Falzone and Nick Parnello
If you'l like a copy of our brochure click the graphic at the right for a 4-color PDF.
Construction of the LZ Peace Memorial
Tom Heflin "Nam" poster
To donate please click here.
