Maryland XLVII

Something just a little bit different today.

Today, I want to honor three of the lost from Maryland, this is not unusual.

The fact that I went to school with all three of them is.

I went to elementary school with all three and high school one of them.

Frank Morris Streeks

PFC Frank Streeks was known by his schoolmates as "Trippy." There are a couple of stories as to why, but I cannot confirm any of these. He attended Northwood for High School.

He was lost on September 22, 1967, in Quang Tri Province. Rest in Peace, he was lost to artillery, explosive device, or rocket fire during a combat mission.

John C. Liverman

LCPL Liverman was the brother of my classmate Bob. I did not know him well, but I certainly knew who he was as he was only one year behind us.

The following was related to me many years later, so I cannot verify its veracity or if I have the facts exactly right. Here goes, anyway.

Johnny was lost on December 11th, 1968, at Quang Tri. His brother, my classmate Bob was in 'Nam at the same time and was assigned to escort him home. Their plane stopped somewhere in country to refuel and when Bob attempted to reboard the plane, he had misplaced his orders. Sent back to get them, he returned to the waiting area and in the meantime the plane took off without him. 

The plane was shot down: all were lost.

One more thing that I know is true: John and Frank Streeks, honored above, were next door neighbors as kids.

To John's brother Bob. We spoke by email a couple of years back regarding the Montgomery County Vietnam memorial, if you happen to ever see this, I would appreciate knowing if I have done John's story justice? I have lost track of your email.

Kevin Mark Coyne

LCPL Coyne and I shared 12 years in the same schools. I remember him as smart, serious, and quiet.

He was lost at Quang Tri on June 7th, 1968 along with 22 other Marines and 2 Navy personnel.

We all lived within walking distance of each other.

In preparing this post I found a memorial plaque at my High School that honors Kevin and three others who were lost. I did not know the other three.

Listed below their names were listed quite a number of other grads who served. I was surprised to find my name listed as I have had zero contact with the school since I graduated in 1965. I wonder how they knew.

Next time, on January 31st, we will return to Massachusetts 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.

Seasons Greetings #1 (2025)

As is my ongoing habit at this time of the year, I will be posting pictures that have nothing to do with Vietnam memorials. I think it is good to take a break, periodically, from a subject that can be a bit depressing.

So, in that spirit, here are todays pics.

In no particular order or rhyme or reason...

Winter in Maryland, who knew?

Summer in Delaware

Spring in D.C.

Next time on the 27th, I will post a few more pics from other places about other things and hope that you enjoy them (I like to remind myself, and others, each year that I am more than just a memorial photographer!) These will post, as usual, at 9:00 am. 

I wish those who celebrate any of the many, many celebrations that occur this time of year a happy and joyous celebration.

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.

Maryland XLVI

 This story is kind of round about and covers several years.

A number of years ago, I met a guy who called himself "Bear," never knew his given or last name: 'Nam vet, fit the profile. 

Bear told me about a memorial in Maryland, in a place called Helen. He described where and what is was and I decided that sometime I would visit.

He told me that it wasn't very big as Helen was not a big town .

He was right and what he probably didn't know at the time was that it had been basically forgotten about. If not forgotten, then certainly neglected. It was small and almost completely covered in weeds and other wild growth. I could not read what was on the memorial.

I took a picture or two, but then, I too, just forgot about it.  There was nothing to post, no pics of any value, nothing to say: just more forgotten and ignored vets. Par for the course.

Well, now, several years later I found myself in the area once again. I decided to stop by and was astonished at how it had changed. Much for the better I am pleased to report. 

It is all cleaned up and has what appear to be new stones engraved with names of many. It obviously honors more than 'Nam vets. Maybe it always did but I could not tell the first time I was in Helen.

As is my habit, I was carrying my camera and lenses. I took any number of pics and was happy that I chanced to see it once more. 

Most of the cameras I have owned over time have informed me that there was no film, or memory card, whatever, in the camera, so I have gotten very used to just grabbing my camera and shooting pictures or being warned about the lack of storage media. Never gave it a thought.

I know you can see what is coming.

Got home, several hours and many miles later, opened the camera and NO media storage, no card, therefore, no pictures. ( I am sure there is a toggle to turn on that "No card in camera" notice and will make every effort to toggle it the next time I remember!

I will leave out what I said next.

After ensuring I had media I made a return trip to Helen (double checked the camera first) and took some pics. 

 You will see the next time I post from here the difference in the "new" stones vs. this original plaque

Next time, on the 1st of May, we will venture, again, to Massachusetts, so, join me, 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, 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.

Maryland XLV

For a number of posts now I have been saying, at the end of each post, that soon we would hear from Elli from Maryland.

Well, today is the day.

While traveling to Maryland's famous eastern shore Elli came upon a memorial near Libby's Coastal Kitchen restaurant in Stevensville. It is a replica of the statue of the Three Servicemen found near The Wall in Washington, DC.

These are a few of the pics she so kindly sent to me.

The owner of the restaurant, Walter Petrie dedicated this memorial to three of his fellow solders who were killed in 'Nam. It is not too often that you find a memorial placed by one man.

The men from his unit are named and honored on this plaque:

Michael Twigg

Raymond Knight

Loyd McBroom

Thank you, Mr. Petrie, you honor us all.

So, if you find yourself traveling east in Maryland on Rte 50, over the Bay Bridge, on to Kent Island, stop by Mr. Petrie's Libby's Coastal Kitchen in Stevensville. Have a bite, maybe a drink and honor these three fallen and the other fifty eight thousand plus who gave all for our efforts in Vietnam and the Vietnamese people.

Libby's is located at 357 Pier One Road. 

The next time I write about this site, I will point out something I noticed about it, something I have never seen before.

Next time, on the 24th of January, we will return to Massachusetts. So, as always, join me there at 9:00 am. 

To see Vietnam memorials from any state and Canada, Ireland, and Puerto Rico click on the individual names on the left side of this page.

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, and Elli from Maryland, 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 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.

Maryland XLIV

I had an idea a few years back that I would like to photograph the Maryland Vietnam Memorial from the air.

I spent quite a bit of time thinking about this as I knew it would be quite expensive. The desire finally won out, I rented a helicopter and made the trip and took the pictures.

At the time I was also working on the print version of this site (also called A Means to Heal) and included some of those shots within its pages. And completely forgot to share them here.

So, today, a few shots from the air over Baltimore, Maryland,

 

and a few others from within the site.

In the beginning there was an eternal flame here, but it has failed and seemingly cannot be repaired.

Each of the panels has names of the lost or missing inscribed upon it alphabetically, by month.

It shocked me when I saw the pics as it had not occurred to me that this is essentially a stone circle: calling to my Celtic roots!

The memorial is located at the foot of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, (formerly the Hanover Street Bridge) just off route 95 in Baltimore in Middle Branch Park on Waterview Avenue.

Next time, on November 24th, we will return to North Carolina, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00 am.

To see additional memorials from Maryland, 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 from Florida, Tim from Virginia and Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, and very soon Elli from Maryland, 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 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.

Maryland XLIII

This past summer I had the occasion to visit Bel Air, Maryland. I had driven through on a number of previous occasion coming down I-95 from somewhere else, but never visited.

What a lovely place. Found perhaps one of the best Mexican restaurants this side of Santa Fe and a lovely tribute to the many who have served and were lost in various wars.

Vietnam was prominent among those honored.

It is located in a pretty little park adjacent to the Police station located at 50 E. Lee Street.

There is no designation as to whether these served or were lost, except that across the front it says: 

For God Forever Honored       For Country forever Mourned

View from the rear over wild flowers and a small pond.

Next time, on September 30th, we will revisit New Mexico, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00 am.

To see additional memorials from Maryland, 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 from Florida, Tim from Virginia and Molly 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 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.

Maryland XLII

Patuxent Naval Air Station is near the southern tip of Maryland and just outside the base is the Air Museum. It, of course, is dedicated to all the Navy fliers throughout our history and there is no specific memorial to Vietnam there, but there are a bunch of planes that supported the effort in 'Nam.

The museum is open to the public and is located at 22156 Three Notch Road, Lexington Park, MD

Following a just a few of the planes on display.

Sorry abt the name: Douglas NA-4

 

 

 Predictably there is more here that I may feature in later posts.

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

Next time, on July 4th, I will post something about our history, so, check in for a minute and see what's up.

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. 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.

Maryland XLI

Berlin is on the eastern shore of Maryland, practically in the Atlantic ocean and not far from the resort town of Ocean City. While visiting the beach area I stopped by to see this memorial right in the middle of town.

 

Located at the intersection of West and Baker Streets it is on prominent display.

Dedicated in 1995 by the Boggs D. Sharoon American Legion Auxiliary Unit 123, it honors a number from several wars.

These eight are listed for eternal honor.

LCPL. Frederick Wood, Jr., Marines, 1967
PFC. Alphonso Lee Harmon, Marines, 1967
SP4. Freddie Marshall, Jr., Army, 1967
PFC. Lewis Morrison Hayward, Army, 1968
SP4. Charles Lilleton Briddell, Army, 1969
SGT. Michael Edward Gordy, Marines, 1969
PFC. Barry Howard Berger, Army, 1971

MAJ. Nutter Jerome Wimbrow, III, Air Force, 1972

 

 In 1970 the population of Berlin was under 2,000. As is so often the case small towns were hit hard by the war.

Next time, on the 18th, we will revisit Michigan. Join me there, as usual, at 9:00 am.

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

As is now my custom,  I will ask anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not shown here, to send then to me and I will include them (giving you full credit.) Any number of you have added knowledge and honor to this site by doing just that. It is always appreciated and makes this effort better, more completed. Thanks to those who have contributed and to anyone who will do so now or in the future.

Maryland XL

Creagerstown, Maryland was founded in 1750 and served as a crossroads for travelers and goods. It is affectionately known as the "town four miles from everywhere" as it lies that distance from four different towns.

A town of about 1400 people, its growth was stunted by a major fire in the early 1900s.

However, they have, like so many small towns, determined to honor their vets.

This beautiful little site sits on Main Street.

No names are listed here. A search of "The Wall of Faces" from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation displays no names from Creagerstown. So, the good people here simply honor all those lost.

 

 

 

I am, once again, mightily impressed by what small towns manage to do for their vets.

Next time, on the 6th, we will return to Massachusetts, so join me there, as always, at 9:00 am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else for that matter. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks.

Maryland XXXIX Redux

It took a little longer than I expected to get back up to speed, but roday, here is the afore-promised post from Maryland.

Ocean City, Maryland is the ultimate beach resort in the state. It currently has a population of around 7,000 year round. But then, summer happens and it explodes, the miles of sandy beaches, amusement parks and other fun possibilities draw in 100's of thousands of vacationers.

One young man from Ocean City was lost in Vietnam.

He is memorialized in front of the current City Hall which is housed in what used to be a school: the school he attended as a kid.

Just to the right of the front entrance is the memorial.

The plaque stands adjacent to the WWII memorial.

PFC Berger stands remembered and honored here, once again a testament to what small towns do for their vets.

Nearby, bordering on O.C., is the even smaller town of Berlin and at a future date I will post about those several who were lost from there are remembered.

Next time, we will return to Massachusetts, to a memorial  I have been trying to visit for years. So, meet me there, as always, at 9:00 am on the 4th of November.

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

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. 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.

Maryland XXXVIII

I set out to find a town in Maryland called New Windsor. I read somewhere that they had a memorial and for some reason I had it in my head that it was a plaque of some kind on the side of a building. I thought it must be an American Legion or VFW or something as these are not too uncommon.

Boy, was I wrong! 

I was surprised and pleased to find this memorial at the site. Beautifully kept with many flowers in bloom, obviously the work of someone who cared.

As I was finishing up shooting my pics I was approached by a young woman who thanked me for visiting the site.

We got to talking and she explained that she and her mother have cared for the site for a number of years after taking over from a much older couple who just couldn't do it any longer.

She spoke about how the site had once been a hospital but was sold and a restaurant built on part of the property that backed right up to where we were standing. She further explained that the land owner whose name was Moor head wanted a war memorial built here and so it was.

Angelica went further to explain that she often models at car shows and has created calendars of same to help raise funds fro the upkeep of the memorial. We talked at some length about how they might consider selling bricks, as is done in a number of places, to generate more funding for the site.

It is hard for me to describe how it made me feel that this young woman was so invested in caring for this memorial.

Sadly, it is necessary to plan for the future.

Many, many thanks to Angelica and her mother for their care and efforts.

New Windsor is a town of around 1,300 and I salute and thank them for this lovely site. It can be found on High Street just north of Church Street. visit if you can.

I hope Angelica, and her mother, will see this and let me know if I have forgotten anything she thinks should be included.

Next time, on the 28th, we will return to Michigan, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks.

Maryland XXXVII

Funkstown, Maryland was originally called Jerusalem and it lies near Hagerstown. It officially became Funkstown  (after its founder) in 1840. Once a thriving mill town, it is now a quiet residential area.

On the town square a memorial was created to honor those who served in WWI. It has been updated over the years and now includes our comrades from 'nam.

Wars from WWI to Vietnam are remembered here.

As far as I can tell, none were lost in 'nam and all listed are being honored as having served.

This additional stone has been added to the right side of the original memorial. there is no additional information provided, but it is not at all uncommon for more names to show up after memorials have been planned, produced and placed. I worked on a memorial in my area and the efforts are strenuous and on going. We worked diligently for years to ensure that all eligible vets were included. It didn't last one day! On the day of the dedication a family member informed us that we had an error. We assured her that we would correct the error upon verification. the verification was never made, so, who knows.

The memorial is located on the corner of  Frederick Road and Baltimore Street.

I am headed for Michigan on the 14th so I hope when I return I will have new sites to share, so join me there, on the 24th, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks