Community gathers to dedicate Lincoln Park armored vehicle

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The armored landing vehicle tracked, or LVT was officially dedicated Tuesday morning, at its new home in Lincoln Park in Galesburg.

Veterans, families, and government officials were on hand including, Mayor John Pritchard, State Senator Chuck Weaver, and Alderman Wayne Allen.

The landing vehicle tracked, as the vehicle is called, was developed in 1935 intended to operate in swampy areas. That’s according to State Rep. Dan Swanson, a Retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army who spoke on the LVT’s history.

Swanson says these types of vehicles were used in every theater in World War II, perhaps most crucially in securing the South Pacific islands and were in use through the Vietnam era. He said these pieces of equipment had two purposes, “destroy the enemy” or “protect service members.”

“A truly versatile piece of equipment that served and protected a generation of service members through many years across difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions. So today we recognize the LVT for it’s service to our country and welcome it to its new home honoring those veterans this memorial service.”

Swanson says these pieces of equipment had two purposes, “destroy the enemy” or “protect service members.”

Alderman Allen, who was instrumental in getting the LVT to Lincoln Park, told crowd gathered about another touch coming soon to the memorial, an LED American flag will be erected that will shine in the park at night.

Also, a part of today’s ceremony was honoring four local fallen soldiers, whose names have been placed on a sign that will be hung.

The names include Sgt. Kyle B. Wehrly, Pfc. Caleb A Lufkin, Air Force Senior Airmen Daniel B. Miller Jr. and Army Specialist Christopher M. Talbert.

Family members representing the four heroes were presented with Illinois state flags that had flown atop the State Capitol building.

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