Rockford, Ill. (WTVO) – Rockford’s Veterans Memorial pays tribute to Vietnamese veterans with a new exhibition, a 50-year memory since the end of the conflict.
“As part of the Harlem Veterans History Project, we have three veterans for interviews. We will share some of their stories,” said museum director Scott Lewandowski. We also held a permanent exhibition at the Memorial Hall to honor 69 veterans killed from the county during the Vietnam conflict. ”
The exhibition enables visitors to delve into the history and life of each local veteran through the work of Inis Bloomster, daughter of the American Revolution.
“I volunteered and thought it was good because I worked in the library and I knew they had an annual book,” Bloomst said. “I think I can check the yearbook. Well, it becomes more than that.”
Searching libraries and engaging with the public has created a valuable years of effort.
“So I had to go to Winnipago and then leave Stillman Valley, Durand and all of these places,” Bloomster continued. Many boys quit their school services. Therefore, they have no high-end photos. It took me two years to find them, but I did find everyone. ”
Thanks to Bloomster’s work, the 69 Winnebago County veterans who died in the operation can be remembered forever.
“We need to remember these guys and the sacrifices they made,” Bloomster explained. “I am proud to be able to do that, but I also appreciate them for doing so.”
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