Minnesota IX

Duluth's memorial on Lake Superior is quite awe inspiring. I visited many years ago and want to return today for a few more photos and features. You can see my original post from this unique site here.

This is one of the views from the inside, looking out. the sunlight beaming in through the light boxes highlight the names listed here.

The names are divided into the counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin from which they came to serve. 

The posted information explains the sites development and goals.

 

Next time, on the 19th. we will return to Mississippi to honor a few more of those remembered on the very first memorial I ever photographed way back in 2009, so join me there, as always, at 9:00 am.

 

To see additional memorials from Minnesota or any other state, please click a state name on the left side of this page. Please note that Canada, Ireland, and Puerto Rico have been added to the list.

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, and Molly from Florida 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 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. Thanks, once again, to all who have contributed.

Minnesota III

The memorial in Duluth, Minnesota is called the Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It sits on a beautiful lake walk area between a railroad track and lake Superior. It faces to the east and catches the sun as it rises. The light boxes allow the sun to flow across the names enshrined here; recognizing and honoring each one, each day.

The Northland Memorial, built like a bunker, protects those who are silently here while allowing visitors to honor them in inclement weather. A light shines to the sky at night to guide home the POWs and MIAs who have not yet returned to the Northland and their families and loved ones.

The five "fingers" seen in the third picture bear the insignias of and represent the five branches of the military. It is also said that these represent a wave coming from Lake Superior and the bunker is protecting the wall and the names within.

Dedicated on May 30, 1992, the site has an information stand that tells its story. Two passages from it stand out for me.

"Read their names, read them in a whisper, read them with your fingertips, read them with your eyes, read them in your heart; however you do it; they will hear you."

and

"They are heroes in our minds,
men in our eyes and
beloved in our hearts."

The Northland memorial, while in Duluth, honors those from 6 Minnesota and two Wisconsin counties.

If in Duluth I believe that anyone could direct you to this amazing site. It is in lakeside park and is near the old Fitgers building