The 140-panel traveling Vietnam War memorial that American Veterans Traveling Tribute Supervisor Wes Shivers hauls around the country usually takes two, 2 1/2half hours to put up on a good day.

When American Veteran Motorcycle Riders Association Post 1 out of Lake County’s members got to work after meeting Shivers and his son-in-law at the Illinois border Wednesday morning, however, they managed to shave an hour off the setup. Shivers, who’s been a supervisor with the Bullard, Texas outfit for four years, was surprised by their effort.

“These guys killed it,” Shivers said as he and some of the group broke for lunch at Wicker Memorial Park while others put the finishing touches on the memorial. “You first have to lay the track down and secure it, then you have all the panels starting from 1955 to 1968 (placed right to left), then 1968 to 1975 heading (from left to right and meeting in the middle).”

Last in Lake County in 2019, the traveling wall — along with several new freestanding panels honoring the dead from the last 20 years of conflicts in which the United States has been involved — is in Wicker Park to help celebrate North Township’s 25th Annual Victory for Veterans Motorcycle ride on Sept. 29. There will be several other displays around the park for the expected 2,000 riders — among them displays from the Indiana Fallen Soldier project and Tri-Town Military Museum — to peruse and learn from, Ride Coordinator Kelly Bridges said.

“It’s important to educate people on the sacrifices these soldiers and their families have given,” she said. “We’ve been involved in more conflicts, so there are so many more fallen to honor, although living vets are (the township’s) biggest focus.”

AVMRA Post 1 Captain Paul “Pappy” Day, has attended every single one of the Vet rides, and they never get old. But he was especially touched by all the support the City of Hammond and Town of Highland gave them as they ushered in the memorial.

“We’re honored that they entrusted us with the escort,” said Day, who served in the military from 1986 to 1991. “As we were coming in, I saw an officer stop and salute it coming by, and that just gives you the chills.

“For me, this is personal: I had six men in my family — my stepdad and several uncles — who served in Vietnam. And I know the vets who came to help today have dad and brothers or themselves that they need to honor. This being the 25th year for the ride just makes it that much more special.”

Brothers Dennis and Greg Altgilbers, and Tony Blejski and Bill Strauch of the Legion Riders out of American Legion Post 697 in Lansing, Illinois, escorted the wall when it was here in 2019 but have never been part of the assembly. Seeing all the names, Dennis Altgilbers said, was “overwhelming.”

“It’s really heartfelt stuff,” Blejski added. “If it doesn’t bring a tear to your eye, you don’t have soul.”

Shivers knows all about the tears; his favorite part of the whole day is the escort.

“A lot of places will let communities know that we’re coming, and they’ll have school kids or nursing home residents come out on the path. You’ll see one of the older vets salute the truck, and well, let’s just say my eyes finally don’t get wet while I’m driving anymore,” he said.

The Traveling Vietnam War memorial will be on view to the public until 8 a.m. on Sept. 30, when Shivers and AVMRA members, who’re also guarding the wall at night during its stay, start dismantling it.

Onsite registration for the 25th annual Victory for Veterans Ride will start at 9 a.m. toward the west end of Wicker Park; the opening ceremony will be held at 11 a.m., and the ride will start afterward.

As always, the ride goes West on Ridge Road from Wicker Park to Calumet Avenue; south on Calumet to U.S. Route 30; east on Route 30 to Taft/Cleveland; north on Taft/Cleveland to Ridge Road; then west back to Wicker Park.

Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.