Arkansas

Just a quick one today. In searching through files (again) to find something new and hopefully of interest, I found these two shots to add to the Faces of Remembrance series.

The Arkansas Vietnam memorial is located on the grounds of the State capitol building in Little Rock and lists the over 600 names from the state that made the ultimate sacrifice.

They are represented by a statue of an infantry soldier watching over the site.

 As is so often the case, his eyes say it all.

Maybe I have just seen too many of these remarkable statues while pursuing this project (it has been more than 12 years now) but, I see not only the 1000 yard stare, but a bewilderment; too be sure from seeing too much himself.

Next time, on the 24th, we will revisit California. Join me there, as always, at 9:00am.to see additional memorials from Arkansas, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

Washington XX

In what often feels like a never ending pursuit of something to write about here, I was once again searching through files, trying to find something new. I came across a close-up, portrait like, photo from the memorial I had seen in Spokane, Washington.

I checked the site to make sure that I had not already posted this in my Faces of Remembrance series and was astonished to find that not only had I not published it there, but had not posted about the memorial at all. Yet, I feel as if I did. This has happened before. I discover that I have not posted about memorials that I have distinct memories of writing about. Sometimes I think there are two, perhaps parallel, versions of this effort! Enough crazy talk!

On the upside, I can now tell you about this fantastic site. A friend told me about it but I had a hard time finally getting there as Spokane is over 300 miles east of Seattle. Once I did it was well worth the effort.

I arrived late in the evening and found a hotel that was just across the street from a large park. the park was alive with lights and lanterns and festive decorations. It was beautiful even from my hotel window.

The next morning I headed over and discovered that the memorial was in the same park so I started heading for it. I kept running into shrouded chain link fences every time I got near it. After trying several attempts to access it I was frustrated and ready to quit. Then I heard some voices behind the fence that had been completely shrouded to prevent observation. So, I took a chance and started talking to the voices (yeah, I know..) Finally someone answered. It turns out the portion of the fencing I was near was around the maintenance area for the park. The guys finally, after hearing that I had traveled 3,000 miles to take these picks, let me in. They couldn't have been nicer and one of them even escorted me a distance off to the correct area so I could complete my task.

Nestled among some trees, on a rise, it was difficult to back up enough to capture the large memorial.

Called the Inland Northwest Vietnam Veterans Memorial it is located along the Riverfront Park.

About 300 from the are who were lost are listed around the base.

Note the letter in his hand

The memorial was dedicated in 1985 and in 2021 a renovation was undertaken. There is also a movement to move it from this Highground to the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena to join other memorials. there is some controversy over this and I have not been able to determine if a final decision has been made. One side thinks the Highground was chosen for a reason and is appropriate although it is a little hard to get to, and others think it should be among other war memorials. As I say, If learn the results I will update here.

Next time, on the 19th, we will return to Arkansas, so join me there at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Washington, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

Virginia XXVI

The day was dank and rainy, evening was fast approaching and I thought I might never find this memorial. I knew it was on the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, but no idea as to its exact location.

We, my wife was with me this time,  drove around and around and finally gave up figuring I'd have to return at some other time.

And, there it was. No idea how or why we stumbled upon it.

With literally just minutes of light left I was able to get these pics.

A memorial to many that were lost from the area over the course of several wars and many years, those honored here are members of the Harrisonburg community.

The large plaque, removed from an older memorial, was first placed in 1949 to honor the 138 lost in WWII.

 

 

Along the sides are remembered those from our other more recent conflicts.

 

 

Ten of our brothers from Vietnam are remembered among the many others.

 

Next time, on the 14th, we will return to Washington, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

 

To see additional memorials from Virginia, or any other state, please click the state name on the left side of this page.

Pennsylvania XXXVI

I've been waiting quite a while to be able to go see the Berks County, Pennsylvania Vietnam memorial. It is located in Veterans Park in Reading. so, on New Years eve I made the drive. the weather was supposed to be OK, cloudy but warm for December. It really wasn't either. Well, it was cloudy but also raining most of the day and the temp never got anywhere near the 58 degrees that was predicted.

The memorial is in a park that is filled with memorials and Honors to those from nearly all of our involvements, but this one to our comrades in 'Nam dominates the area.

Situated facing Hill Street it is easily accessible from the highway.

It lists the many who served and notes three MIAs. No deaths are noted but one wonders with that many names how that might be possible.

The most dramatic feature is the lone soldier sitting on the steps, but there is more here that i will address in a future post.

I count 65 names and hopefully the majority have survived. Even though there is a joint commission to locate and identify all MIAs that I have mentioned often on this site, we may never know the fate of the three listed here.

Next time, on the 9th, we will take another look at Virginia, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from Pennsylvania, or any other state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

Holidqy season 2021 #3

So, today is the third and final non memorial post for this year. In looking for something interesting to post I noticed that I had photographed a number of arches on various trips to Ireland. Arches seem to capture the attention of many folks and I thought they might be good to  post. I will identify them where I can. Some, were taken many years ago and, sadly, were not well documented.

Update: with the help of my sister-in-law we have been able to pinpoint the locations!!

This was taken at the ruin at the Rock of Cashel. Originally at governing center for the kings of Munster it later became a religious center. It was here that Oliver Cromwell killed more than 1000 citizens as he ransacked much of Ireland.

These, too, are from Cashel also known as Saint Patrick's rock as he is said to have baptized the first christian king in Ireland at this site.

The original buildings built in the 4th century CE are now mostly gone and the religious ones, built some century's later, are all that remain.

This final set are from the Rosserk Abby in county Mayo. Sitting at the edge of the Moy River this beautiful site was built by Franciscans who labored to educate those from the area.

That is it for now. Next time, on the 4th, we will return to New Jersey or Pennsylvania (whichever one I can get to the most quickly,) for a resumption of posts honoring Vietnam memorials. I apologize for the history lesson here, but I was a teacher for some 35 years and just can't resist the opportunity to do so.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click a state name from the list on the left side of this page.

Christmas morning 2021

Most years I try to get down to The Wall for a photo of the tree that is erected there each year, but this year with all the Covid and some personal health issues I just didn't make it.

 

So, I pulled this pic of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's (VVMF) page. I am not sure if that is OK, but I trust they will understand. 

I hope that you all are enjoying time with your loved ones in person or in spirit and that the new year will bring peace and better times to all.  

Next time, on the 30th, I will post one more non memorial post, so join me then and see what's up.

Again, happy holidays and seasons greetings to all.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.

Holiday season 2021 #1

If you have been on this journey with me for any length of time, you know that at this time of the year I take a little time away from memorials. We should all be celebrating, in whatever fashion we do, the return of the light.

Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice, and mankind has for most, if not all, of our history has found a way to mark this and welcome the return of the sun.

The next couple of posts will not specifically deal with light except for the fact that that is what photography is all about, light verses dark.

No lessons, just pics that I like.

Chief Little Owl greets all those who visit Bethany Beach, Delaware. This one made from a hand chosen red cedar log from Alaska replaces ones that have deteriorated over the years. The first was placed in 1976.

 

 

This one is projected to last up to 100 years. The artist Peter Toth has placed one such totem in each of the states and several across Canada.

 

The area at his base is always planted with vibrantly colored flowers in season.

Here's wishing you and yours a happy and peaceful season, come back on the 25th for a Christmas greeting. Join me at 9:00am.

 

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of this page.