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Two Vietnam vets created replica dog tags for every Texan lost in Vietnam; all 3417 of them. Hanging in alphabetical order they include the 105 MIAs (as of 2012) and two extra blank tags for those "known only to God." All of the names are listed on the bottom, shelf like portion of the display to help name seekers locate their loved ones. In truth, they created two complete sets, one of which will be forever enshrined inside the new memorial when it is completed. As I mentioned in the last post from LBJ, the new memorial will be dedicated on March 29th, 2014, just three days after this post will appear.
I have read a number of times about a display of more than 58,000 tags in Chicago, but when I was there it was not available to the public, so I was really quite pleased to discover this one in Austin. This one is, indeed, smaller, but perhaps more intimate and meaningful to our brothers and sisters in Texas.
The display tells the story of the exhibit and highlights the first and last Texan lost. the first, M Sgt. Chester M. Orvand was lost in 1959 and the last, PFC Antonio R. Sandoval, was lost in 1975.
There are several areas of text and information at the site. This one tells how the legacy of Vietnam haunts Americans and our leaders but I can't help but wonder if that is still the case?
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The logo, seen throughout the display, depicts, in its center, the new memorial.
Next time, on the 31st, we will return to Vermont, so join me at 9:00am.
To see other posts from Texas, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.
Next time, on the 31st, we will return to Vermont, so join me at 9:00am.
To see other posts from Texas, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.
I really like this one. It seems so personal and intimate. And there is something about the dog tags that also brings home the scope of the pain and loss.
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