Massachusetts XXXVIII

The Massachusetts Vietnam Memorial

John Joseph Fullerton jr.

PVT John Fullerton had already been wounded three time when his CO got him transferred to a job at the American Embassy in Saigon because "he needed a break." On Jan 31, 1968, the VC made their way into the embassy and John was killed in the ensuing fire fight. He had arrived in 'Nam in June and by January he had been wounded four times.

Robert Warren Parent

SP5 Robert Parent was lost at Thua Thein on July 21, 1968. He was lost in a helicopter crash on a supply delivery flight.

Believe it or not, the above picture is all that seems to be available: an absolute disgrace! Am I wrong, or did the Army not take pictures of every one of us during basic? If so, why is this all that is available?

Richard William Welch

PFC Richard Welch was lost on September 13, 1968, in the Quang Duc Province to "small arms fire." He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the fire fight in which he gave his life.

These three heroes were the only ones lost from Wilmington, Massachusetts. Seems odd that they were all lost in a nine-month period.

Next time, on October 30th, join me in Michigan. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.