ROCKFORD – The Vietnam Veterans Honor Society held its 15th annual Veteran’s Day service despite the continuous rise of COVID cases in the county. The service was held at LZ Peace Memorial and there were no more than 50 attendants who were practicing responsible COVID-19 preventing behaviors who participated in the service. The service opened up with a flag ceremony and the national anthem was played shortly after. There were many different Veteran speakers, singers, poets, and people who gave prayers. The LZ Peace Memorial was dedicated to the fallen soldiers from Winnebago County that fought in the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1973. The president of the Montford Point Marine Association Beloit-Rockford Chapter 41, Former U.S Marine Stanley Thompson said he still struggles with the “painful tragedy of not being able to justify” the suicides and deaths of Vietnam soldiers but sees this memorial as a chance of healing for everyone. 

May all those who have participated, fought, or sacrificed carrying out sovereign duty in the name of the United States of America and her constitution be honorably remembered in our hearts forever.

(Compiled from The Rockford Register Star for the Guilford Voyager by Za’Nia Harris, original reporting by Andrea Watson)