Arizona XLI

It would be difficult to name a soldier more associated with the Vietnam war than John McCain.

It is fitting then that the city of Peoria, in his home state of Arizona, has dedicated the John McCain Memorial Plaza in his memory.

Today, I will share just a couple of introductory photos from this marvelous and beautiful site. There will be more to follow.

Included as part of the Rio Vista Park it is well worth a visit, you could spend many hours here.

I noticed that these flags were at half staff and wondered if they were always lowered in tribute?  I called the City and was told that this was only the case on certain times as directed. Then I looked at the date I actually took the picture and it was September 10th, so the reason became obvious.

No matter how you might of felt about Senator McCain's politics or policies, no one can diminish his bravery, patriotism, or sacrifice.

I think anyone, no matter left of right, could learn something from him.

There will be more photos from Peoria in the not too distant future. Check back often.

In the meantime I will be posting from California on the 2nd of March, as always at 9:00 a.m., so join me then.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state or 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.

Arizona XXIX

I want to show you just a few more pictures from my visit to The Wall That Heals when it was in Peoria, Arizona in 2019.

As you enter the area you are greeted by a huge American flag. Note the "cherry picker" at the upper right and the tech inside it.

The Wall travels with an exhibit trailer and these are just a couple of the things that jumped out at me.

 This photo of The Women's memorial captured a beautiful array of light.

 

 

These wristbands were worn by many Americans to honor those being held in captivity.

 

I couldn't get too many as the light was very bad and flash was prohibited

The In Memory plaque authorized in 2000 by the president honors those who died after the war was ended but due to their wounds, physical or otherwise. The original is placed near the statue of The Three Servicemen on the Mall in DC. Above is a replica.

 

I will be traveling later this month to see The Wall displayed on the eastern shore of Maryland, I'll post if there is any significant difference in what I see.

Next time, on the 21st, we will return to California, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

Arizona XXII

It is truly the end of an era.

No matter what you think of the politics of the Rolling Thunder organization it is undeniable that they have had a huge impact upon out country, veterans, and how we remember and honor our lost brothers and sisters from Vietnam.

Beginning in 1988, six years after the dedication of The Wall, the tradition of motorcyclist riding past The Wall began. It grew into a huge event with literally hundreds of thousands of bikes from all over the country participating in the "run to The Wall." It would be difficult, if not impossible, to calculate the total number of riders who have passed by to salute, honor and remember the men and women listed upon the black granite.

Each May new names, if any have been identified, are added to the honor roll. Last May (2018) none were added and one wonders if in fact the last name has been found. This brings to mind Springsteen's Who'll be the last to die?

Rolling Thunder has announced that 2019 will be the last ride, ending 32 years of honoring our brothers and sisters at The Wall. They cite a number of reasons for this decision but recommend that local groups continue the tradition in some way. We will see how that develops.

At the event in Peoria, I ran across this bike, just as I was leaving for the night. I didn't have a tripod with me so these are the best I could do under the conditions.

This seems a fitting salute to all the riders, millions of them, who came from every corner of the country and in fact from around the world to ride past The Wall. If you have ever dreamed of participating in Rolling Thunder, named after the B-52 raids in 'Nam that began in 1965, or of just coming down to pay witness and homage on the curbs and corners of Washington, DC, this is your final chance. The main event, the run, is scheduled for May 26th. Check out other info here:

https://www.rollingthunderrun.com/2019-run-info/

Next time, on the 28th, we will get back to the regular cycle of posts. California is next, join me there at 9:00am.

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

Arizona XXI

My visit to Peoria was on March 16th, the day before St. Patrick's Day and with the following in mind, was extremely happy to find that the people running this show had placed a pot of blooming Shamrocks, an American flag, and a POW bracelet along side a prepared list of the names of our Irish friends.

If you follow A Means to Heal with any regularity you may have read about the Irish who served in Vietnam along side us.

Ireland did not participate in the war, but 2500 of her sons and daughters came to America or Australia specifically to join the military and add their support to out efforts in Southeast Asia.

30* of these mostly unknown heroes were lost, but their names are forever inscribed upon The
Wall, our memories, and our hearts.

I have told this story here and elsewhere many times but it is unknown by most.

Never have I had anyone say, "Oh yeah, I know about that." This, sadly and surprisingly, is also true in Ireland. I have traveled there quite a bit and except for one person, I have never met anyone who was aware of this sacrifice by her citizens. Except for one man, who is trying to get a memorial built to the men and women who were lost. The last time I visited, a couple of years ago, the memorial had not been built but I have heard since that it has been completed and is in Ennis. I'll see the next time I visit the land of my ancestors.

*Note: 30 is the number I was told when last in Ireland. While looking on line for more information I come across various numbers ranging from 22 to 31 including some Irish civilians. some of this information had not been updated in years so if I am able to track down an exact number I will update here.

Update: the number is now officially 29.

Next time, one more from Peoria, so, as always, meet me there at 9:00am on the 22nd.

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

Arizona XX

A recent trip to Arizona led me to an actual visit by The Wall That Heals. This is the original version of what are now several replicas of The Wall that travel the country so that many folks who might never make it to DC can see The Wall, mourn their lost and pay tribute to all who served and all who were lost. I have seen a number of these in places where they were purchased after "retirement" and placed permanently by the local population. Some of these can be seen in Butte, Montana, Pensacola, Florida, Altoona, Pennsylvania and a few other places I have visited.

The Wall That Heals is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, the same people who built The Wall in DC.

The display of the nearly life-sized version of The Wall took place in Peoria which lies a bit north of Phoenix.

In a large field backed by a lake and some of Arizona's many mountains, The Wall That Heals is every bit as impressive as its Washington DC namesake.

I was here for a number of hours and the light was continually changing giving The Wall a different look at various times throughout the day.

People from all around searched for and found their loved ones names.

This scene was repeated over and over throughout the day.

Anyone who knows me will understand why I featured this guy. He is a vet and we spent a few moments talking.

I am going to switch up a little here. As you know, I would usually move on to another state from here, but there is more to tell from this visit, so next time, on the 18th, at 9:00am, rejoin me here in Peoria for more about this moving experience.

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

Arizona XV

The Vietnam Memorial Trail was the dream of a couple of Vets from the Peoria, AZ. area. They wanted a place to reflect upon the war, the sacrifices so many made, and just to remember.

In February of 2009 they had the trail in place.

The trail from the trail head to the flag is 1,429 feet and all along the path are markers telling some of the story or memorial markers to specific individuals.

 There are 15 narrative markers and 27 memorializing specific people.

The trail is not difficult and once you reach the top there are a couple of benches along with the dedication marker and the flag. The view from the top is quite beautiful.

I noticed that folks had built small cairns in several places. I looked up what these might mean and it seems that cairns have been used since long before history for any number of reasons. Here, I like to think they are a sign of respect, but one cannot be too sure. I placed the small stone on the top of this one, you can barely see it here as it blends so well with the stone upon which it rests.

There is some concern that this land will be sold by the government and this memorial may be lost, those involved are working hard to have the city of Peoria purchase the site and preserve the memorial.

Next time, on the 13th, we will once again visit California, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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