LZ Peace Memorial @ Midway Village Museum 6799 Guilford Rd. Rockford, Illinois
On April 30, 1975, the war in Vietnam was officially came to an end. Now, 45 years later, to some veterans it seems like it was a million years ago, but to many veterans the war never ended. It still plays a big and terrible part in their lives. It's called PTSD. In World War II, it was called "shell-shocked." Does anyone ever really get over what they've seen and done in a war, and the things that have happened to them? Does parent ever get over the loss of a child. Does a child ever really get over the loss of a parent. Nope. So we say thank you to all who served in Vietnam and to all our military serving now, and to all our veterans we owe a debt of gratitude we'll be paying forever. Well done, thank you, and welcome home.
Here's a link to 43 pictures and videos from the Saigon Down ceremony. The first three are videos. Too bad that it's so hard to tell a video from a picture. But SmugMug is free to us so that's life. The link opens in a new window.
Today Thursday, April 30, 2020 a ceremony was held at the LZ Peace Memorial. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic it was a small group that included our favorite local television stations. WREX, WIFR and WTVO. Although it wasn't raining I know there were tears from Heaven hidden behind many masks, including mine.
Tears from Heaven on Memorial Day
The Rockford Register Star said there were over 100 people who braved the rain to honor America's fallen heroes. Rain??? It might have looked and felt like rain, but to many of those in attendance they knew it wasn't rain. They were Tears from Heaven.
The Vietnam Veterans Honor Society thanks all those who came out on a dreary day to honor those who were killed in action while serving in Vietnam and in all wars and conflicts our country's had.
CLICK HERE to see millions of pictures on our SmugMug page.
Thank you to Wally Haas, Chris Green and our friends at the Rockford Register Star, Channel 13 for sending a camera crew and the other media who were there. We appreciate your faithful and continued support. We owe much of our success to you.
But our biggest thank yous go to those where baptized by the Tears From Heaven.
Here's a link to WREX-TV coverage of Memorial Day 2019 ceremony.
Here's a link to the Rockford Register Star's coverage of Memorial Day 2019 ceremony.
Click here to see pictures and videos from "2018 Memorial Day" and "For Whom the Bell Tolls." There are 10 videos and 100's of pictures.
Where were you in March 1969?
Dick "Boonie" Dahl was in Vietnam. Read his story, "A Day in the Life of a Grunt."
Bill "Skip" Coad: A Marine's Funeral, May 8, 2016
2018 Memorial Day Observance
Monday, May 28, 2018 at 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 27, 2018 at 8:30 p.m.
On Sunday night, May 27 at 8:30 p.m. the pictures of our fallen heroes will be projected on the Wall of Honor. On Monday morning, at 11:00 a.m. we'll be honoring and remembering all veterans who died in America's wars. Please join with us. We hope to see you there. The Huey will be open for inspection so bring your kids and grandkids. The LZ Peace Memorial is a sight to behold.
2018 Agent Orange Memorial Ceremony
Sunday May 6, 2018 at 1:00 p.m.
Agent Orange Memorial Ceremony
Once a year in the summer, we come together to honor and remember those Vietnam veterans who have died from the effects of Agent Orange. Today it’s Grant Fisher, Larry Jackson, Ron Locarno, Clarence Nygren, Donald Steffen, Michael Daugherty, Roger Campbell, Charles Wolfe and James Biesiadecki. They weren’t killed in the war but Vietnam is what killed them. One day they’re listening to the iconic “Paint It Black” and the next day it’s “Taps” blowin’ in the wind. Click here for tons of pictures and a video of a 21-shot volley and Marine Don Allen blowing "Taps." Thank you all and God Bless America.
Southwest Airlines Flight 5658 July 11, 2017
Southwest Airlines, Flight 5658, from Phoenix to Midway. Thanks for your interest in the LZ Peace Memorial, especially to the hardworking flight attendant, who graduated from Florida State, who showed us how to put on our personal flotation devices, and sat with us at the back of the plane. Give us a call or send us a comment below about getting a personal tour of our Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We'll even throw in an order of French fries. Did you know there's a link at the bottom of our home page for all your comments or remarks. Thanks again to all those who were interested, especially Florida State '92, and the rest of the crew for a safe flight home.
What is the LZ Peace Memorial?
Vietnam veterans names on the Wall
Gold Star Mothers
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society president Nick Parnello shows generous donation from our friends, Harley Owners Group, Rock River Chapter, Northern Ilinois.
Marines William A. "Skip" Coad and Ed Palumbo, 1965
Veterans
Winnebago county veterans
who gave their lives.
DID YOU KNOW?
There are over 20,000 veterans living in Winnebago county and thousands of them are Vietnam veterans.
Illinois has over 246,000 Vietnam Era veterans.
There are over 744,000 veterans of all wars in Illinois as of Sept. 23, 2013.
How It All
Came About
It started on a hill in Pleiku
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.
LZ Peace
Sponsored by
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society
The LZ Peace Memorial is a place of honor for those veterans who served our country, in war and in peace. This memorial stands as a testimony to those soldiers from Winnebago County who made the ultimate sacrifice at a time of great conflict. We’re located at Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, in Rockford, Illinois.
Or call Nick Parnello at 815-968-1040
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and contributions are deductible to the extent of the law.
Thank you.
To donate please send a check to
Vietnam Veterans Honor Society
P. O. Box 4304
Rockford, IL 61110