Washington VI

Fort Walla Walla was built in 1856 and was a key participant in the final expansion to the west. Due to the discovery of gold, and other factors, the area was expanding rapidly. The local Native Americans attempted to retain their traditional homelands and way of life and the results are long known to history. Now, it is home to museums, public recreational facilities, an old military graveyard, and a Wall commemorating our lost from Vietnam.

The wall sits just on the very edge of the cemetery which has this sign at it's entrance.

The Cemetery

Until 2014 the wall listed 18 men from the Walla Walla area who were lost, but in 2014 one more name was added through the efforts of a lifelong friend who discovered the omission.

The white fence to the right is the corner of the old cemetery.

We almost didn't find this place as there was so much road construction in the area. We drove around and around trying to follow the GPS instructions, only to find road after road blocked. We even talked about giving up, it really seemed as if every entrance was blocked. Once again, as I must often remind myself, persistence paid off, and we finally found an entrance.

The last man added is the last name in the first column: O.D. Hammack

It may be found on the Dalles Military Road in Walla Walla.

Next time, on the 4th of March we will take another look at Arizona, so join me there as always at 9:00am.

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