• 815-622-1106
  • travel@visitrockfalls.com
  • 603 W. 10th St., Rock Falls, IL 61071
Visit Rock Falls shield

August 31 though September 4, 2023 @ the RB&W District

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall

the vietnam traveling memorial wall
View Program
vietnam traveling memorial wall
View website

The 9/11 Memorial Wall will also be on display honoring the lives that were lost at the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and Flight 93, as well as Service Members of the Desert Storm Iraq and Afghanistan.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (Everything is Free to the Public)
Thursday, August 31, 2023 - 10am - Escorting of the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall & 9/11 Memorial Wall into Rock Falls
Friday, September 1, 2023 - 6pm - Opening Ceremony at the RB&W District. We are honored that the 106th AVN Regiment based out of Kankakee, IL will do a flyover with three (3) UH-60 Blackhawks at 6:00 pm.
Sunday, September 3, 2023 - 2pm - 144th Army Band Concert
Sunday, September 4, 2023 - 4pm - Closing Ceremony at the RB&W District
Monday, September 4, 2023 - 8am - Dismantling of the Walls

We invite Veterans to come help escort the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall (VTMW) into town on Thursday, August 31st. You will need to signup ahead of time by calling Rock Falls Tourism office at 815-622-1106. We only have 56 seats available, so it is a first-come/first-serve basis. You will meet at the RB&W District (201 East 2nd Street, Rock Falls) at 9 am and the Whiteside & Lee-Ogle County Transportation and one other vehicle will be there to take you to the escort meeting site. You will get to ride in these vehicles through Rock Falls to escort the VTMW to the RB&W District, where then you can watch the VTMW be put up or you may leave if you wish. The escort should arrive at the RB&W District at around 10:30 am.

We invite all others to line 1st Avenue at 10am and watch the VTMW being escorted to the RB&W District in Rock Falls. Feel free to bring signs thanking Veterans. Small American Flags will be passed out along the route while supplies last.

Saturday, September 2, 2023 - 11 am to 2 pm, the Rock Falls VFW Post 5418 will have a fundraiser cookout at the corner of 2nd Street and Avenue A, Rock Falls. (This is across the street from where the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be).

Facebook event

Vietnam traveling memorial wall coming to the
RB&W District

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, a 3/5 scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC, will make a visit to Rock Falls, IL from August 31-September 4, 2023. The wall will be on display at the RB&W District Park located at 201 East 2nd Street, Rock Falls, IL. The tribute is being organized by the Rock Falls Tourism Department.

The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall stands 6 feet tall at the center, covers almost 300 feet from end to end, and has 58,272 names inscribed on its surface. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made during the Vietnam War. It was made possible for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships, and allow people the opportunity to honor loved ones in their hometown who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington. This event is designed to honor those who served in Vietnam, including POW/MIA Veterans.


We are honored to have the 144th Army Band perform at the RB&W District starting at around 2pm. This FREE concert will be prior to our closing program for the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall.
 
The 144th Army Band is one of the more colorful units in the state of Illinois. An important part of Illinois military history, the band can trace its roots to 1861 and the 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band. The 33rd Illinois Volunteer Regiment Band was mustered out in 1862 but they left a legacy of professionalism. In 1916, Illinois National Guard was mobilized at Camp Logan, Texas, and there was reorganized into the 33rd Division under the command of Major General George Bell, Jr. The Band became known as the 33rd Division Band and it was attached to the newly formed 33rd Division. On 21 February 1942 the division was re-designated the 33rd Infantry Division. The 33rd Infantry Division got WW II campaign credit for the New Guinea Campaign and the Luzon Campaign in the Philippines, when they fought the Japanese. The division formed part of the occupation forces of the Japanese home islands and was inactivated there on 28 February 1946. The 33rd Infantry Division Band was replaced in 1968 with the formation of the 144th Army Band. The bands is currently stationed at Camp Lincoln in Springfield, IL.
The mission of the Band is to provide musical entertainment for the morale of soldiers and support the local communities. The band has a wide range of musical capabilities from Marching Ceremonial Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and a variety of small musical groups. The band is comprised of some 30 “citizen soldier” musicians from all over the state of Illinois and the surrounding area. Many of the members are students, music teachers, or otherwise associated with the music field in their civilian pursuits.
Facebook Event

Vietnam Traveling memorial Wall
August 31-September 4, 2023
at the RB&W District

Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Sponsors of this special event are as follows:

Skip to content