Quilt of Tears part of Memorial Day observance

When we remember the loss of life from wars we need to also remember that the loss does not end when the guns go silent. When it came to Agent Orange, the death count for Vietnam veterans has still not been reached. It still claims lives everyday. Just as with PTSD, we don't seem to remember the lives lost because of combat as well as we remember the lives lost during it.

April 12, 2010 Orland Park News Highlights

Memorial Day services for Veterans planned in Orland Park

ORLAND PARK, IL – The Village of Orland Park’s Memorial Day Ceremonies are poignant tributes to those who have died serving our country. Flags from each of the 50 states billow as they provide a colorful frame for the village’s towering memorial, Ara Pace – Place of Peace. Bagpipes wail as veterans file in for the presentation of colors as audience members silently rise to their feet.

This year’s ceremony will be the first in almost twenty years without retired US Air Force Colonel Father Leo Lyons who passed away at the age of 87 on February 18, 2010.

“Father Leo never missed one of our ceremonies,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin. “He was a true veteran’s veteran and made sure he participated every Memorial Day and Veterans Day,” the mayor recalled.

Orland Park’s observance of Memorial Day 2010 will span four days with the Agent Orange Quilt of Tears on display in the Jane Barnes Annex of the Orland Park Civic Center from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., May 28 through May 31. Vietnam War era memorabilia will be on display for the four days with guest speakers and presentations planned for each of the days the quilt is in Orland Park.
read more here
http://www.swnewsherald.com/news_frontpage/2010/04/041210op_vets.php