Florida XXVII

I am excited today to take you back to Florida.

 

Excited for two reasons: 1. because I have been made aware of a remarkable site not far from Orlando and

                                        2. because, once again, you have answered my call for contributions.

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley was a 19 year old Marine on patrol with six others men. They fell into an ambush. After taking out a machine gun nest and being mortally wounded, Cpl. Smedley was awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition, his fellow veterans have created this museum in his honor.

You can read a bit of his story below:

 

This is just the beginning of this story. I will be writing about this site for some time I am sure, there is so much to see.

For now, be sure to check back on the 27th to return to Georgia, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia and Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and now Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos.

Thanks, once again, to all Peg and Ray and all who have contributed.