 During the 25th annual Christmas Remembrance, handmade red and white
heart-shaped ornaments will be hung by family and friends on the
blue spruce planted near the memorial for this purpose. Each
ornament bears the name of one of the 66 Illinois POWs or MIAs.
Members of the general public may also bring a weatherproof ornament
to hang on the tree.John Ratchford, an Illinois Vietnam veteran
and the treasurer of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Committee, will
be the master of ceremonies, and Mikle Siere Sr. of the Lincoln Tomb
and War Memorials State Historic Site will read the POW/MIA names.
The Land of Lincoln Barbershop Chorus will provide Christmas music.
The color guard will be provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America
Chapter 534. The Rev. Charles P. Jackson of the Springfield St. John
AME Church will give the invocation and benediction.
The event is sponsored by the Illinois Historic Preservation
Agency, which administers the Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
[Text from file received from
the Illinois Historic
Preservation Agency]
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