Massachusetts XXXVII

The last time I posted from Massachusetts, I featured a memorial in Boston that I had spent many years trying to track down, only to discover that my nephew lived directly across the street from the park in which it stands. Less than a five-minute walk from his home. You can see that post here.

Today, I return there to honor just a couple of the many who are honored here.

Frederick V. Arens

FN Frederick Arens was lost on May 24th, 1968 in Go Cong Province. He was considered MIA and was suspected of having drowned. His body was recovered.

Linwood L. Baker

SSGT Baker was killed by small arms fire. His record says "accidental homicide" with no further information. He was lost on July 26, 1971 after being injured several days previous and is listed as a "Ground casualty." He was lost in Vinh Long Province.

Thomas Evans Bennett

WO Bennett was about to land his chopper, about 20 feet off the ground, when a small explosion was heard and the chopper dropped straight down. All seven on board were lost. The reason seems to have never been determined. He and the crew were lost on February 24, 1971 in the Binh Long Province.

These men are among the many from Boston listed on this and various other memorial throughout the area.

Next time, on February5th, we will return to Michigan to honor a few who were lost from the state, so join me there, as usual 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, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and 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 and join the group.