Arizona XIV

Last year I was in Arizona with my family. We attended the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI in Anthem which I wrote about previously on this site.

We traveled down to Tucson for a few days just to visit.

While not always hunting for Vietnam memorials, I do keep one eye out for any I might stumble across.

While driving along Ajo Road, my sister said, "Hey, what are all those flags over there?" We tried to gain access to the site but there was no parking anywhere. I think I have written before that it often seems that our memorials are in the worst places possible. Maybe it is because in some areas the real estate markets are depressed for any number of reasons. I have been to memorials that I wondered if I would actually get out of my car the neighborhood was so bad. I guess this makes the property easier to obtain.

Well, after a while we parked, probably illegally, and walked to the site of all the flags. They were up on a raised area and we could not see what else was actually there.

Upon creating the hill we found the really nice memorial.

It turns out to be a Korean War Memorial dedicated to the several from Pima County who were lost in that endeavor.

I was happy to see this memorial as the Korean War is often referred to as The Forgotten War, so we spent some time checking it out.

Of course, I was a bit disappointed that it was not a Vietnam memorial, but as we looked around we found some interesting components.

The first was this interior wall that is painted with a variety of pictures. Among the icons and soldiers and various medals on display is this Vietnam Service Medal.

 So even here, we are not forgotten.

I am always pleased to see our sisters-in arms remembered and honored. One of the walls here has seven medallions representing various Women's veterans groups painted upon it. As I know I have said before, my one time Mother-in-law was a Womens Army Service Pilot during WWII. She and many others served bravely and heroically and waited far too many years for recognition, so It was good to see them honored here.

Next time, on the 25th, we will venture back to California, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Alabama XIV

I am a day late with this post and for that I apologize, but at John Lennon is credited with saying, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

So, live happened and I'm late and I'll try to stay on track from here on in.

Huntsville, Alabama is perhaps best known for being the home of a large NASA facility and "Space Camp," but, it also has this beautiful memorial to all her veterans.

It is located at 200 Monroe Street, NW and would be hard to miss as it is huge.

As you enter you are met by this panel and several others; reminders of the gifts veterans give their fellow citizens and our nation.

Many involvements are honored here and not the least of which is Vietnam. A brief summary of the war and many names of the lost are listed here.

A time line flows along the wall enclosing the area and water streams throughout creating a living memorial from a grateful community.

Bricks abound honoring many others. The dates are not explained and could signify any number of things. These bricks are available if you would like to honor a loved one. Contact the site at:adminperson@HMCVM.org.

Since I visited the site a number of features have been added including several statues based upon Huntsville resident veterans.

Next time, on the 20th, we will return to Arizonz, so join me then at 9:00am.

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

Washington XVIII

I have searched literally for years to discover where this memorial is located. I believed that it was in the Northwest, Washington or Oregon, maybe but could not remember exactly where I saw it.

Searching through my files was of little use as I have over 60,000 photos from this journey and I have been in the Northwest several times. If nothing else, it is clear that I should get better at filing systems!

So, I finally made the breakthrough and confirmed that it is located in Cable Bridge Park in Kennewick, Washington.

It honors 62 from the area lost or missing in 'Nam.

Impressions in the walls are of choppers and other iconic military equipment.

 So next time, on the13th, we will revisit Alabama, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Virginia XV

On a recent trip to the Charlottesville, Virginia Vietnam Memorial I stopped in Madison and found this memorial.

It is located in Courthouse Square and honors those lost in our twentieth century wars.

Five from the area who were lost in Vietnam are honored along with those from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Iraqi Freedom.

Called the Fallen Warriors Monument it is indeed a fitting honor and remembrance.

Dedicated on May 27th, 1990 it may be found with other memorials at Church and Main Streets.

Next time, on the 9th, we will revisit Washington, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

Texas XVI

South West Texas State University may be best known as the place from which President Lyndon B. Johnson graduated in 1930. It is the only Texas school to have ever produced a President or Vice-president.

It also honors its alum who have fought and died, too.

This memorial garden honors those lost in several wars and Vietnam holds its place of remembrance.

When I found this spot, not actually easy as no students could direct me to it, I was surprised to find that one student from SWTSU had died in Nam.

Just at the very bottom of the memorial is the name Sammie Don Hoff and some research found that he was shot down in 1966. He was known to have ejected from his aircraft but was lost.

In 1988 his remains were returned to the U.S. and were able to be identified along with those of the pilot of the plane, Captain Kenneth D. Robinson.

Once more I must comment on what some places do for a single lost soul. 

Nearby, I found this simple marker to a 'Nam vet who came home to become a teacher here at SWTSU.

Next time, on the third of October, we will return to Virginia, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Rhode Island XI

North Smithfield, Rhode Island lost five of her sons to the war in Vietnam.

Located about 25 miles north and slightly west of Providence it was founded in 1666 and as of 2010 had a population of around 12,000.

They honor their sons with this memorial that as you will see was the result of a Boy Scout's efforts. I have seen a few memorials around the country for which this was the case, but it is not common.

The last words on the memorial are certainly inspiring, and even though they are in quotes, I can find no information on by whom they were said and when. If anyone out there knows I would like

to hear from you. I am often pleased by the responses and help from readers, so do your thing and then get in touch. The email to the left is private if you prefer that over leaving a public comment.

Next time, on the 28th, we will revisit Texas, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Pennsylvania XIX

I spent some time n Wilkes- Barre, Pennsylvania recently and visited the Vietnam memorial at Luzerne County Courthouse about which I will post more at a later time.

However, directly across the street is a small, unassuming, memorial for those from Kings College who were lost. It honors the many from various wars but, Vietnam is not forgotten.

 I have been completely unsuccessful at finding anything about this site. There is nothing on the college web pages and, seemingly, nothing anywhere on the internet.

 I did find this comment that I copied from an interview with a Vietnamese refugee named Mr. Bui. in 2009.

"Our sponsor was a young, brave college student from King's College, Pennsylvania, Denise Goodwin. Denise still stays in touch with my oldest daughter and one of my sisters to this very day. While my daughter was attending college as a midshipman/engineering cadet at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, she visited Denise and her family on Long Island, New York."

If you have information about this memorial or the number from Kings College lost, I would love to hear from you.

Next time on the 23rd we will venture back to Rhode Island, so join me there at 9:00am.

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