Vietnam Vet's Oakton Service Project Will Be Displayed At Library

DES PLAINES, IL - A Vietnam veteran who photographed the construction of a Vietnam Memorial replica wall will have that artwork featured as part of a display at the Des Plaines Public Library later that week. Les Durov, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 until 1974, took on the project last month as part of his service project as a photography student at Oakton Community College.

Durov photographed the "Wall that Heals," a half-size replica of the memorial in Washington, D.C. when it was erected at the Lake Memorial Pavilion in Des Plaines.

“History books are great,” said Durov, who worked on the USS Midway aircraft carrier. “However, through this project I was able to capture images that people can relate to and learn about what happened in Vietnam. Through my photos, I tried to depict the feelings and emotions of people who visited the wall.”

For Durov, the replica of the wall stirred up a whirlwind of emotions.

“Viewing the wall brought back a lot of my feelings about the conflict," he said. "I have friends whose names are on the wall. It was a nice way to say goodbye to many of the people I served with in Vietnam. While it was sad, it helped bring a feeling of closure.”

Durov's assignment was given by Oakton Professor of Art and Graphic Design Judy Langston. It required students to compile a photo documentary of activities related to the Wall that Heals.

“This was a great learning undertaking for Oakton students,” Langston said. “Students had the opportunity to speak personally with veterans and understand more about a time of turmoil in our country’s history. Students took more than 100 thoughtful and capturing images including veterans in front of the wall looking at the names of those who gave their life for their country.”

Durov took more than 200 images of the replica wall during construction.

“I wanted to get as many photos as possible," he said. "I wanted to document that not enough was done for veterans who came back from Vietnam. Servicemen who returned never got the respect they deserved and were actually spit on when they came home. These images will invoke different feelings for each viewer.”

The photos Durov took of the replica wall will be at the library, 1501 Ellinwood Ave. in Des Plaines, from Nov. 9-12.

Photos courtesy of Les Durov, Oakton Community College