I’d never heard of the Vietnam Veterans Survivors Memorial until recently, scootering around the Tri-Taylor Historic District. There, on Oakley Boulevard, I came upon this serene lot. It was cobbled together by Chicago preservationist Bill Lavicka in 1987 to honor fellow, often struggling vets. Today, the tile lettering on the ground is half-rubbed away.
Navy Pier was renamed in 1927 to honor naval veterans housed there during WWI, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial along Chicago Riverwalk was restored last year. But visiting the Vietnam Veterans Survivors Memorial made me wonder where else can you find tributes to veterans in Chicago.
Chinese American Veterans Memorial in Chinatown
At the intersection of Archer and Princeton avenues, this memorial was erected in 2005 by Chinatown American Legion Post. It’s one of few memorials to Chinese American vets in the country. In 2021, 150 Chinese American WWII veterans were honored in a ceremony there.
Veterans' Memorial Park in South Deering
City Council named this park after veterans in 1954: a peak era for American patriotism. The park itself was built to meet the growing needs of the South Deering area, where the population nearly doubled during the 1940s. It’s near the area nicknamed "Vet's Park," where many homes were constructed for returning soldiers after WWII.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Mural in South Chicago
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church lost 12 parishioners in Vietnam — that’s thought to be more than any other parish in the country. In 1970, a mural depicting the war’s violence was painted there, on 91st Street and Brandon Avenue. Now, it’s being restored after years of community advocacy.
The National Veterans Art Museum in Portage Park
The National Veterans Art Museum emerged in 1986. It was created by the Vietnam Veterans Art Group, which exhibited veteran artwork during a time when few galleries would explore such controversial topics. Currently on display is Jenn Hassin’s “Strength in Fragility,” which literally weaves together stories of trauma from those who served.
