By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – LeRoy hosted a traveling Vietnam Wall tribute last summer and Bloomington plans to have an even larger replica on display this summer.
Evergreen Cemetery Manager Tina Crow told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin she was so moved by seeing that tribute last year she wanted to bring it to Bloomington.
PODCAST: Listen to Scott and Colleen’s interview with Crow and Barb Baker.
“I thought this would be good for our community, let’s see what we can do here,” Crow said. *”(The cemetery board) was all for it, it just escalated from there.”
A 360-foot long Vietnam wall replica, which is 80 percent as large as the actual wall, will be on display at Evergreen Cemetery August 24-28. Crow said the tribute includes an Agent Orange Quilt of Tears which she said brought her to tears.
“It’s amazing, it’s amazing,” Crow said.
Crow said the cemetery needs to raise $25,000 to cover the cost and needs about 300 volunteers to help set up the wall.
She added the group will need about 300 volunteers to help set up the wall. She said she’s spoken to several local veterans groups that have pledged their support.
The group has a GoFundMe page and is hosting a benefit fundraiser on April 30 at the New Lafayette Club, 1602 S. Main St., Bloomington. The event will include food, live bands, auctions, raffles,a bags tournament, games for children, face painting by the Zoo Lady, a balloon artist and other activities.
Evergreen Cemetery is partnering with Cargill to bring the tribute to Bloomington.
Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].
