Connecticut VI

The fates have repeatedly made their presence known on this journey. Things I haven't expected or cannot explain have happened on many occasions and this memorial is just another example.

I was having some physical therapy for some problem or another and over the course of the treatment the therapist and I talked of many things. In a conversation about this project, she said, "Oh, we have a memorial in my town" I figured it was someplace local and that I already knew of it, but it turned out that she is from Wallingford, Connecticut and told me of this memorial. I was unable to find anything on line so I started calling folks in the town and eventually got on the right guy. He sent me an envelope fiull of info on this beautiful and unique site.

Located at a five way stop at N.Main Street and Cedar Lane, this site was specifically chosen so that  many people would pass it on a regular basis; a never ending reminder of the cost of war. The "V" is 11 feet tall and the 30 degree slant is said to represent the shift in American policy during the course of the war.

More than 400 names of those who served are listed with 9 KIA/MIAs designated. The names are listed not in alphabetical order but in the order they returned, in one way or another, to the town. The idea was to force one to look, to think, to reflect.

Detail from above

Inside the apex is a recounting of the total sacrifices and loses known at the time.

The plate reads as follows;

"During the 16 yeas the war continued, American Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines fought with heroism and determination under some of the most difficult circumstances ever encountered by American Armed Forces. Tragically, upon their return home they received virtually no recognition for their service and sacrifice because of the raging controversy over United States policy in conduction the war.

300,00 were wounded in Action

75,000 were permanently disabled

57, 940 were killed in action

As of this date, November 11th, 1985, ten years after the fall of Saigon and twelve years after the removal of ground forces from Vietnam, 2489 brave servicemen remain Missing in Action or held prisoners of War.

They are not forgotten"

As always, someone has left a memento.

Next time, we travel back to Florida, so join me there at 9:00am on the 31st of January.

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