California XXXIII

Santa Paula is about an hour north and a bit west of Los Angeles and I visited when my wife had other business in the area.

 

The memorial here is a multi-war and remembers the local heroes who have fought and sometimes given their all for our country.

I have never seen a memorial like this one and as I have said on previous occasions that I enjoy seeing those that are not quite the usual.

Adorned with a world map ans numerous plaques it speaks to a number of involvements.

There are no markings on the giant map and internet searches have turned up nothing as to when it was erected or for that matter any information at all.

The other side is quite interesting as it features maps of both Vietnam (left) and Korea along with service emblems. The plaque below is dedicated to the man who championed this memorial.

These next plaques are selected from the several across the front of the memorial.

This plaque honors all who have met the challenge.

These two,of course, need no explanation.

The population of Santa Paula in 1968 was roughly 15,000 people and somehow 11 lost seems like a lot to me. 

RIP brothers. 

Next time, on the 5th, I am tying to find something from Colorado, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am and see what I found.

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

Alaska IX

So, about as far away from West Virginia and Alabama as you can get and still be in the states is Nome, Alaska. It really does seem like the ends of the earth. It made me think of an old movie called Ice Station Zebra. while we were not in a blizzard, it was 23 below zero in the middle of the day. fortunately my son had taught me how to dress for these temperatures and it was, unbelievably, no problem. I wanted to make a joke there about it being "no sweat" but it seems to obvious.

This sign is nearby and tells the fascination story of who served to guard the coast.

 

Nome as no specific Vietnam memorial, so I was inclined not to include this guy, but locals told me that he has come to represent and honor all vets and all wars, so I decided to include him after all, besides, c'mon its Nome!!

I copied the following from the Nome radio station's (KNOM) website:

"The Alaska Territorial Guard (ATG), which the statue commemorates, was a division of the US military that defended the Alaska coast during World War II. Its membership was comprised of local, predominantly Alaska Native residents; it was, for this reason, nicknamed the “Eskimo Scouts.” Thousands served in the ATG, although it was largely forgotten for decades by the military bureaucracy. It wasn’t until 2000 and later that ATG veterans were officially recognized as such by the US government and allowed access to benefits shared by other veterans."

His face like so many others shows, I think, a number of emotions. I see determination, bravery, fatigue, perhaps a touch of sadness or grief. You have to wonder how tough one had to be to fight under such formidable conditions.

Next time, on the 31st, we will take a trip back to much warmer California, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Alabama XVI

 I know that last time in West Virginia I promised that we would trek off to Alaska this time, but I decided to make a quick stop in Alabama first.

In keeping with my Faces of Remembrance series I thought I would share these first.

 

I've shared this guy in the past I think, he was one of the very first photos I ever shot on this journey. He stands before the memorial in Mobile Alabama. He is looking at all the names from the area that are honored here. An interesting note is that he is wearing an old army fatigue shirt and across the breast pocket it says, "it never ends." He represents us today as we age and comments on the reality of so many lives still in turmoil.

These next several faces come from a memorial just feet away from the guy above. It is a tribute to squads and the dogs that served with them. It is really small and the faces on each of these next heroes were no larger than my balled fist and I could not get close enough to get really close shots so they suffer some from the process of pulling them out of a larger photo.

 

 

So, while not postcard perfect photos, I think they still show the raw feelings of being on patrol.

Dedicated in 2008 it is actually called the War Dogs Memorial(and can be seen elsewhere on this site) and honors the thousands of dogs, of many varieties that served in Nam.

Next time, on the 27th, as promised before, we will venture back to Alaska, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

West Virginia XI

Traveling through West Virginia recently I ventured into Shepherdstown, the first city in the state established in 1734.

Along German Street at King is the War Memorial Bldg which for about 80 years was a church.

Built in 1868 it was sold to the Men's Club who spent many years and much money restoring it after they purchased it in 1948. It is now a venue for many activities and meetings.

 

The memorial here is a multi-war honoring those from Shepherdstown lost in our Twentieth Century Wars.

 

I have mixed feelings about what was done here. The lone name seems to be almost an after thought, tacked on wherever they could find space, but honored after all.

 

 

Regardless of that, I am pleased that he has been honored and taken his place among the other heroes from Shepherdstown. R.I.P. brother.

Next time, on the 21st, we will trek back to Alaska, so join me there, as always,at 9:00am.

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

Virginia XX

Echo Company, 2nd Marine Battalion of the 7th Marines have participated in our nations efforts since WWII and they are honored here at the Museum of the Marine Corps for their efforts in Vietnam with this memorial.

They served in Nam from July 1965 to October 1970 so were certainly involved in the thick of it for some time.

The Museum of the Marine corp is a treasure trove of memorials from the Vietnam era and I am sure that we will return soon and often.

 

 

The museum and memorials, where ever they may be, ensure that these brave men and women, our bothers and sisters, are never forgotten.

The museum is located in Triangle Virginia, not far from Washington, D.C., is well marked of I-95.

Next time on the 16th, we will revisit West Virginia, so, as always, meet me there at 9:00am.

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

Pennsylvania XXXI

As promised we are back on track today, once again visiting and honoring our lost brothers and sisters, this time in Pennsylvania.

In the Scranton area is a town called Old forge and it has a remarkable number of remembrances for such a seemingly small town. Today we will visit just one of them.

Just on the grounds of the fire station sits this beautiful memorial originally dedicated to the heroes of WWI and WWII. 

Two additions were made at a later date, one in honor of those lost in Vietnam.

No names are listed and one wonders if it is because there just might be too many. A nearby town attempts to name everyone who has ever served and it is a formidable task and who knows what causes one town to do one thing and another something else. Having served on a memorial committee for my area I know just what a daunting task it is to get it right, then get it funded, etc., etc., etc.

I am always glad to notice these staked emblems. I do not know where they come from but they are at many, many sites.

I am intrigued by the statue. I am not sure if she is a grieving mother or represents something else entirely. What do you think? Let me know by posting in the comments section or via the email listed on the left side of this page.

Next time, on the 11th, we will visit Virginia, so meet 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.