Proclamation ‘welcomes home Vietnam veterans’

By Margaret Downing

Reporter

LOVES PARK – At the March 28 Loves Park City Council meeting, Mayor Darryl Lindberg read and presented a proclamation received by Alice Fry Uphouse, Honorary Rockford DAR Chapter Regent.

The document read:

“Whereas, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration gives us the opportunity for all Americans to recognize, honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices during the Vietnam War from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975; and…

“Whereas, more than 9,000 organizations across America have joined with the Department of Defense as Commemorative Partners to honor our Nation’s Vietnam Veterans, including Rockford Chapter of the Illinois State Organization, National Society Daughters American Revolution; and…

“Whereas, this commemoration includes the nine million Americans, approximately seven million living today, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during this period, and makes no distinction between those who served in-county, in-theater, or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years – all answered the call of duty; and…

“Whereas, Veterans’ Affairs Secretary Robert A. McDonald has designated March 29, 2016 – which March 29^th was the last day that U.S. troops were on the ground in Vietnam – as a day to honor those who have ‘borne the battle,’ and to extend gratitude and appreciation to them and their families; Now, therefore, I, Darryl F. Lindberg, Mayor of the City of Loves Park do hereby proclaim Tuesday March 29, 2016 to be: ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day’ in the City of Loves Park, Illinois, and urge all citizens to reflect on those who have served this country with dignity and distinction.”

Uphouse told the council that Inis Bloomster, Rockford DAR Chapter Regent, on her own initiative, was able to locate pictures of the 75 servicemen from Winnebago County who gave their lives in Vietnam and they can be seen at the LZ (Landing Zone) Memorial at Midway Village.

She also noted that the remains of Sgt. Alan C. Boyer, Green Beret who went MIA in Laos in 1968, had been located. After Alan went missing, his mother, the late Dorothy Boyer, dedicated herself for the remainder of her life to finding or bringing home MIAs. The Rockford VietNow Chapter Building is named for Alan.

In other council business, aldermen approved payment of $7,175.72 in water fund bills, and $89,384.16 in general fund and all other bills, as presented March 21.

Alderman Clint Little gave the weekly police activity report noting there were 511 calls for service, 256 arrests, and 12 accidents reported the previous week. On the weekly fire department report, two fire calls, five false fire alarm calls, one wires down call, and one smoke or odor investigation call were reported.

A resolution authorizing the purchase of nine planters from Wausau, Wis. Tile for the bus bench beautification project in the city was okayed at a cost not to exceed $4,783.12. In conjunction, a resolution authorizing the city to enter into a contract with Nelson’s Flowers and Greenhouses to provide plants and maintenance for the bus benches project was approved at a cost not to exceed $6,500. Mayor Lindberg stated that the city would not provide litter containers, as “ it is too difficult to maintain them.”

A resolution authorizing the purchase if two riding mowers and one rotary mower for $2,475 was passed, as was one for two Toro mowers at a cost of $9,589, “state bid prices.”

First and second readings of three ordinances related to the Redevelopment Plan for the Forest Hills Road Business District in Loves Park were passed:

* Approval of the Redevelopment Plan

* Designation of the Forest Hills Road Business District

* Imposition of a Business District Retailer’s Occupation Tax and a Business District Service Occupation Tax within the Forest Hills Road Business District.

Margaret Downing photo

At the Loves Park City Council meeting March 28, Mayor Darryl Lindberg declared March 29, 2016 to be “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” in the City of Loves Park. Alice Fry Uphouse, Honorary Rockford DAR Chapter Regent, pictured, accepted the proclamation.