Traveling Vietnam Wall, Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient U.S. Army Sgt. Allen Lynch

This weekend, a good friend asked me to visit the traveling Vietnam Wall presented by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and hosted by the DeKalb chapter of VietNow. He has been involved with bringing the Wall to Sycamore in the past and told me that I had to photograph it at night, so I did.

Thirty-five years ago, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund unveiled its product – a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.  This Wall, unlike the permanent Wall in our nation’s capital, was designed to travel across the nation, providing healing to those who returned home to a harsh and often cruel political climate and to allow more accessibility to those who cannot visit the Wall that preserves the names of loved ones who never returned home alive.

Over 400 cities and towns throughout the nation have hosted the chevron-shaped wall. The town of Sycamore alone has hosted the Wall three times – once every ten years – beginning in 1997.

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Allen Lynch spoke during one of the nights. He praised the Wall for its ability to not only educate, but also to heal. He spoke of the importance of the mission of Vietnam Veterans – to never let what happened to them happen again. He exhorted the community and our nation for welcoming our veterans home in ways the Vietnam Veterans never experienced. He didn’t speak of his own bravery – but, instead, expressed gratitude for those currently serving our nation – including the members of the United States Army who presented the Battlefield Cross.

In 1970 President Richard Nixon formally presented Lynch, who served with Company D, 1^st Battalion of the 12^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) from May 1967 through June 1968, the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valiant actions.

Lynch’s website details his actions:

 For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. SGT Lynch (then Sp4) distinguished himself while serving as a radiotelephone operator with Company D. While serving in the forward element on an operation near the village of My An, his unit became heavily engaged with a numerically superior enemy force. Quickly and accurately assessing the situation, SGT Lynch provided his commander with information which subsequently proved essential to the unit's successful actions. Observing three wounded comrades Lying exposed to enemy fire, SGT Lynch dashed across 50 meters of open ground through a withering hail of enemy fire to administer aid. Reconnoitering a nearby trench for a covered position to protect the wounded from intense hostile fire, he killed two enemy soldiers at point blank range. With the trench cleared, he unhesitatingly returned to the fire-swept area three times to carry the wounded men to safety. When his company was forced to withdraw by the superior firepower of the enemy, SGT Lynch remained to aid his comrades at the risk of his life rather than abandon them. Alone, he defended his isolated position for two hours against the advancing enemy. Using only his rifle and a grenade, he stopped them just short of his trench, killing five. Again, disregarding his safety in the face of withering hostile fire, he crossed 70 meters of exposed terrain five times to carry his wounded comrades to a more secure area. Once he had assured their comfort and safety, SGT Lynch located the counterattacking friendly company to assist in directing the attack and evacuating the three casualties. His gallantry at the risk of his life is in the highest traditions of the military service. SGT Lynch has reflected great credit on himself, the 12th Cavalry and the U.S. Army.

Near My An (2), Binh Dinh province, Republic of Vietnam, 15 December 1967.

Another good friend, Paul Turnbaugh, artist and owner of WildHeartland Inc. who specializes in military art and paintings of heartland Americana (check out his Facebook page here), knew Allen Lynch and presented him with yet another print featuring the iconic Bald Eagle. He also got me some special privileges to take these photos of Lynch – and then, took my camera and photographed my own family with Allen Lynch – Thank you, Paul!

So the DeKalb chapter of VietNow welcomed the Wall, bringing with it comfort, peace and much-needed appreciation -- healing moments for veterans and civilians alike.

Flags lining the way to the Wall -- each flag represents a Vietnam POW/MIA.

Members of the United States Army preparing to form the Battlefield Cross

Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Sgt. Allen Lynch

Sgt. Lynch with members of the United States Army

Artist Paul Turnbauh, Lynch and members of the United States Army

Lynch and the Sycamore Police Department

My good friend (who let me know about this Wall) and Lynch ~ both smiling after a long conversation.

Same friend ... always giving my girls opportunities to appreciate our veterans.

Thanks, Paul Turnbaugh, for taking this photo of my husband and our girls with Allen Lynch -- I'm representing the EAA Warbirds, too;)

Battlefield Cross

POW/MIA table

Two men, smoking cigars ... Paul *cough*

The Traveling Vietnam Wall at night

Luminaries

We found our friend's uncle's name 

A family reunion ... that wasn't mine

Every so often, I do a photo shoot that warms my heart and secures a place in my memory.

Such was the case this weekend.

I had the pleasure of spending most of the day with one family, photographing individual families, couples, children, grandchildren, godchildren, really, just a whole bunch of love.

From the minute I walked into the crowd of thirty (which then became 80), I felt like family.

My husband is from a large family, so I appreciate large-family dynamics and the special bond amongst cousins. It is beautiful to watch adult siblings get together, be goofy with one another and enjoy these fleeting moments hearkening back to long, carefree childhood days spent side by side.

This gathering was no different – the family has planted seeds and rooted itself all over the world, actually. While the siblings had not been together in the same place for five years or so, that love and friendship that one can find only with brothers and sisters was present – and I was able to capture some of those moments this weekend.

Very soon, each will be back in his or her respective states. One will be deployed. Several will head to college. Kids will be back to school. Life will go back to normal, but the memories made for this beautiful family – together in one place – will live on.

I was overwhelmed with emotion as I left. One sibling and his wife have been especially dear friends of ours. After they moved away, our lives very rarely intersect in person, but, when either of them is in the area, they routinely make it a point to spend time with my family. I am blessed beyond belief to have them in my life. To have met all of the incredible brothers, sisters, in-laws, parents and nieces and nephews and to be able to put faces with names was so extraordinarily special for me. I loved every conversation I had. Through my lens, I watched this family and the gentle kindness that is present within each of them – they are remarkable people, every one of them.

They affect change in others. They minister to others. They live lives of service. They are beautiful.

When I hugged them and walked away, I felt as though I were saying goodbye to family that I have known forever. But my heart was heaviest knowing that my dear friends would once again be hundreds of miles away … living a life they were destined to lead.

~Wishing all of you safe travels!

Happy Independence Day!

Sometimes we say it casually, but it is a beautiful phrase with rich meaning: Happy Independence Day!

I always have been thankful to live in the United States of America; over the past several years, as I’ve interviewed and come to know an ever-increasing number of veterans and active-duty military, I have come to appreciate my country even more.

I don't know that I ever truly will understand just how blessed I am; to think of how many people have put their lives on the line for our freedom is daunting. We are a nation that values freedom, and, with all of the birthday celebrations for our dear country, I am thankful that we live in the home of the free because of the brave. I am thankful that we can enjoy dinners and fireworks with family and friends united under our American Flag.

Wherever you are, I encourage you to take a moment to remember how truly blessed we are.

Individually we might feel a little tattered like the beautiful edges of the flag that flies above the Woodstock Harley-Davidson veterans memorial, but we are strong together, courageous in the red, white and blue.  We are strong because of the men and women who serve our country. From the Revolutionary War onward, brave men and women have shown us that American freedom is not free.

Happy birthday, United States of America!

Garrison flag the flies high and strong above the Woodstock Harley-Davidson veterans memorial.

The Boone County 4-H Drill Team presented the flag before the B Bar C International Horse Promoters July Horse Show this past weekend. 

Crystal Lake fireworks display.

The Fourth isn't the Fourth without a craft project.

Homemade Italian Ice for today!

My beautiful and every-chic sister-in-law used fancy chalkboard tags for dinner the other day, so we made our own knock-offs for today's celebration! Thanks for the inspiration S-!

Cute bow project for the girls coming over and some canvases for the boys to paint flags.

My youngest with a star in her hair to celebrate our country's birthday.