Rhode Island XIV

 The Rhode Islande Vietnam memorial at Exeter honors all and is featured here in greater detail.

Today, as is becoming an ongoing project, I will honor a few of the lost from the state.

John Dutra Andrade

SP4 John Andrade was killed by "hostile... other explosive...." on November 2, 1966, in the Tay Ninh Province. Sadly, this all that I could find.

Lawrence Renaldo Lopes

PFC Lawrence Lopes was lost om March 27, 1968, at Thua Thien. He was the victim of "multiple fragmentation wounds..."

Daniel Robert Dye

1LT Daniel Dye was assigned to unit in the Phuoc Tuy Provine. His unit engaged a VC group that vastly outnumbered his. Under heavy small arms and rocket fire he continued to vigorously encourage his group of soldiers until he was mortally wounded. He was lost October 12, 1968, and is interred in Rhode Island

Next time on May 23rd, we will return to South Carolina so join me, as always, at 9 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.

Rhode Island XIII

North Smithfield has a somewhat different memorial as seen in the picture below. I featured this site a while back ( you can see that post here ) and today, I want to feature a few of the several listed upon it.

The following are among the heroes commemorated here.

Leo J. Atteridge jr

Pfc Atteridge was killed by small arms fire at Thua Thien on March 13, 1968.

Rene A. Bois

Sp4 Bois was lost while working at an ammo dump at Binh Long which exploded on December16, 1968. Tragic.  

Fred T. Carter

Pfc Frederick T. Carter was a victim of hostile ground fire while missing. He was lost at Long Khanh on December 16, 1967.

These men along with many others to follow will always be remembered as long as we say their names. 

My hope is that posting them here will provide an additional opportunity to honor them forever. 

Next time, on August 5th, we will return to South Dakota, to honor others so worthy of our admiration and never ending respect. Join me there, at 9:00 am., as always.

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! 

Rhode Island XII

I have traveled in Rhode Island for many years and since the beginning of this project have been baffled as to why there seemed to be no memorial in Providence. It just didn't make sense: good sized city, certainly losses, but no memorial.

I would frequently do some research, but always came up empty.

Then, not too long ago, I found Squantum Woods Park and I set out to see what was there.

The beautiful memorial was dedicated in 2017. I was relieved to know that it was, in fact, pretty new and that I was not just missing it in my research.

You approach the site from a small parking lot.

Along the brick path there are dedications to those who served.

The area is known as the Garden of Flags.

The several from the area who were lost are honored here.

The memorial and park are located on Cadorna Street in East Providence.

Next time, on the 27th, we will return to Virginia, so meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Rhode Island XI

North Smithfield, Rhode Island lost five of her sons to the war in Vietnam.

Located about 25 miles north and slightly west of Providence it was founded in 1666 and as of 2010 had a population of around 12,000.

They honor their sons with this memorial that as you will see was the result of a Boy Scout's efforts. I have seen a few memorials around the country for which this was the case, but it is not common.

The last words on the memorial are certainly inspiring, and even though they are in quotes, I can find no information on by whom they were said and when. If anyone out there knows I would like

to hear from you. I am often pleased by the responses and help from readers, so do your thing and then get in touch. The email to the left is private if you prefer that over leaving a public comment.

Next time, on the 28th, we will revisit Texas, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Rhode Island X

Practically on the Massachusetts border about 15 miles north of Providence is Woonsocket, Rhode island.

This really nice memorial to those lost in Vietnam is made of polished black granite greatly resembling The Wall in DC.

Dedicated on November 11th, 1984 it lists their names, all 17 from the area.

A unique piece of this story is retold upon the wall. The school children of the Woonsocket public and Catholic systems raised the money so that these might be remembered always.

IN MAY OF 1984, DURING THE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND
THE STUDENTS FROM THE ELEMENTARY AND JR. HIGH SCHOOLS
OF THE CITY OF WOONSOCKET AND CATHOLIC REGIONAL
SCHOOL SYSTEMS UNITED TO RAISE FUNDS
IN A PROJECT ENTITLED “WE REMEMBER”
TO PAY TRIBUTE AND ASSURE AN EVERLASTING MEMORIAL
TO THOSE WHO SERVED WITH DIGNITY AND HONOR
IN AMERICA’S LONGEST AND MOST UNPOPULAR WAR. 

The question of which is America's longest war depends from when you  are marking the war. The most common time frame of Vietnam is from '59 to '75, 14 years. But, if you count from when the first American solder was actually killed, 1956, you get a completely different count. So, I guess the debate will continue, perhaps far in to our future. It matters not to these honored here.

The memorial may be found on the corner of Worrall Street and Clinton Street near the post office and police station.

Next time, on July 4th, I'll have a special post, so take moment out from the celebrations, BBQ's, and fireworks to check it out.

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

The Wall of Faces

I know I said we would be visiting California today in my last post, but first, this!

In keeping with a Memorial Day theme, I want to bring this to your attention.

Rhode Island is the most recent state to complete its search for photos of  every name from the state on The Wall, making it number 21.

All of the following is taken directly from the VVMF Wall of Faces page.

"Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s Wall of Faces effort aims to put a face to the more than 58,318 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Submitted photos are currently seen on VVMF's Wall of Faces, where family and friends can share memories, remembrances, and photos. Putting a face to every name helps further preserve the legacies of all the service members with names inscribed on The Wall. 

VVMF has dedicated Wall of Faces volunteers around the country who help locate photos of those who served and sacrificed. U.S. Army veteran Bryan Simmons began searching for photos for the Wall of Faces in 2013 and became an integral part of Rhode Island’s success. Simmons is from Attleboro, Massachusetts, which borders Rhode Island. He began writing editorials to help spread the word about the photo collection effort. After he wrote an editorial for the Providence Journal, he was contacted by Joe Cichon, a retired teacher at Bishop Hendricken High School. During his years as a teacher, Cichon taught a class on the Vietnam War where his students were tasked with gathering information, photos and stories about a Rhode Island service member. Cichon agreed to let Simmons borrow their research collection and 73 photos were uploaded to the Wall of Faces.
Simmons continued researching on his own and has since found more than 960 photos from across the country.

“Being a Veteran myself, I can't imagine anyone could make a sacrifice and only be remembered as a silhouette,” he said. “I felt researching the photos was something I could do to show people still remember.”

To date, more than 51,000 photos have been collected for the Wall of Faces and fewer than 7,000 photos are still needed to complete the effort. Rhode Island joins 20 other states in finding every photo for their fallen. The completed states include:

Alaska
Colorado
Delaware
Hawaii
Idaho
Kansas
Maryland
Minnesota
Mississippi
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Utah
Washington
Wisconsin
Wyoming

If you have a picture of a loved one or fellow veteran whose name is on The Wall, please help VVMF honor these individuals by submitting a photo. VVMF encourages the public to submit as many photos of each service member as possible.

Along with the virtual Wall of Faces, photos and stories of the more than 58,000 veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War will also be displayed at the future Education Center at The Wall."

You may reach VVMF's office by telephone at 202-393-0090 or by email at vvmf@vvmf.org.

Fax number is 571-257-8808.
Located at:
1235 South Clark Street, Suite 910
Arlington, VA  22202

Next time, on the 8th, we will return to California, so join me there at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, click a state name on the left side of this page.

Rhode Island IX

This memorial, in Rhode Island, is very interesting to me. I cannot, for the life of me, tell you exactly where it is!

I learned of it be talking to some locals in Newport and they easily directed me to it.
What is confusing is that it is called The Dale Carlia Vietnam Memorial Park. When I seek information  about it, there is nothing. I cannot find a photo anywhere and it is briefly mentioned as a stop on a parade route. Directly across the street from it some stores say, Wakefield and other signs, nearby refer to South Kingston. I hope that someone from the area will contact me and help me understand.

Anyway, it is quite a beautiful memorial on a corner that I have heard (read) called Dale Carlia Corner. So folks, help me out, I really like to be precise about where these memorials are located.

You can see that the park is well maintained, which, sad to say, is not always the case. I was there just a day or two past Memorial Day, so that may have been why it looked so good. I hope it is kept up at all times.

Continued searching allows me to say, with some confidence, that it is located at the intersection of Main Street and Kingston Road in Wakefield. I, also, note that the intersection is to undergo a renewal program so you may want to check that out if you should decide to visit. I hope, too, that the park and memorial are not displaced by the renovations.

Next time, on the 16th we will head south for South Carolina. Join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Rhode Island VIII

To be honest, I have no memory of how I learned about this memorial. It may well have been, as is often the case, just a chance conversation with someone along the way.

This elegant and respectful memorial honors those from the area who served in a number of wars including, of course, Vietnam.

What makes this tribute most remarkable, I think, is that it is from the students of the community and is located upon the grounds of a local school.

Located not too very far from Newport, the Wakefield Elementary School is like any other. The day I visited, kids were in class, on the playground, and participating in the normal school day. There were people coming and going and even a few folks sitting at a nearby picnic table. I was struck by the dichotomy of the events; happy children and honoring those who had served and in some cases, died.

Blue Star Mothers are also remembered here, too.

Next time, on the 24th, we will travel to South Carolina. So, join me there, as always, at 9:00am,

To see other memorials from Rhode Island, or any state, click the sate name on the left side of this page.

Rhode Island VII

I have listed this site as Rhode Island even though it is actually across the river in Connecticut. The town of Pawcatuck is, literally, only a few feet, across the bridge from Westerly. In many areas I have seen the two hyphenated as Westerly-Pawcatuck! When I fill in the labels, I will include Connecticut among them so that those seeking only memorials in that state will have access too!

This is a simple, yet moving site and while I realize that POW/MIA sites have evolved over the years to represent all (as they should) they will be forever, in my mind, associated with 'Nam. So, I include this one here

Rhode Island VI

Just up the hill from the last site by the river, stands this memorial that has grown substantially over the years. Originally a WWI memorial in built in 1937, it was expanded and rededicated in 2002 and now includes numerous additional vets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

An interesting feature is that Vietnam is actually memorialized in two different places at this site. The second picture shows the large "wall" on which many 'Nam vets are honored, but just a few feet away is a different listing. I have contacted a number of people in the area including the Library, Newspaper and others and no one has yet been able to tell me why this is so. As always, if I am able to solve this mystery I will post what I learn.

Next time, we will visit a memorial in a different city, in a different state, about 50 feet away from the one we saw previously at the bridge. Join me on the 15th at 9:00am.

Rhode Island V

Divided only by a river (and a state line), the towns of Westerly, R.I and Pawcatuck, Ct. honor vets in a number of sites.  There seems to be no absolutely specific Vietnam memorial but those who served or were lost are honored at each of these sites.

Those lost are honored and remembered at the memorial on the Westerly side of the Pawcatuck river. In addition, just a short walk up the hill brings you to what was, at first a WWI memorial. The names of many vets were added later when the park was renovated in 2002. I will take you there next time as there are several pictures I want to use.

See you next time, up the hill, on August 5th at 9:00am

Rhode Island IV

At the local Portsmouth High School, Donald Sisson is remembered and honored. One of the three listed on the previous post, it is noted here, that Sgt. Sisson was a member of the first graduating class of Portsmouth High School.

Next, on the 5th of August we will visit a town that lies in two states. Each side honors Vietnam vets in different ways. Join me at 9:00am for the first of two posts!

Rhode Island III

A few miles up the road from Newport is Portsmouth, R.I. I was on my way to locate a memorial at a local school when I came upon this newer one. Each side of it is dedicated to a different war from WW I through Vietnam.

For those of you who read the previous post, note what this site calls the war!

Next time I will visit the memorial at the local school dedicated to Donald Sisson.  Join me on the 31st at 9:00am.

Rhode Island II

On the grounds of the regal old City Hall in Newport, Rhode Island sits this simple memorial to 11 of her sons that were lost in 'Nam.

I have written a number of times about how we cannot seem to agree on when this war was fought. The dates one finds on memorials vary widely. I have chronicled beginning dates from 1955 to the late '60's and ending dates from 1973 to 1978! It was with some interest that I noticed that this memorial names the conflict "The Vietnam Crisis", so I guess we will continue to debate that, too. This, of course, is merely a semantic exercise for, perhaps, Lexicographers and Historians;  those of us who were there know what it was!

Oddly, I had a lot of trouble tracking this one down. Most of the folks in town were very helpful, just wrong, about exactly where is was. Long time followers of this blog know that I often lament the lack of knowledge of local people in locating sites. This one, should you be looking for it, is at the City Hall which is on Broadway, just opposite the corner of Spring Street and Bull Street.

Rhode Island

I can't tell you how many times, on the way to Newport, I passed the signs for the Rhode Island Veteran's Cemetery at Exeter. Before I began this journey, it was just noted with interest. I was a little surprised, as I began this effort, to discover that it was, also, the home of the R.I. Vietnam Memorial.

I stopped in and happened to meet the head guy. He is a 'Nam vet himself and was quite interested in my efforts. One of the interesting things he told me was that on Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, he and his brother meet at the site at sunrise and read, aloud, all the 224 names listed here. I think this is quite a tribute and I would love, someday, to be there as they honor our fellow soldiers. I have on occasion sent him an email on those days.

The memorials and grave sites at this historic place go all the way back to Colonial times. The place is not hard to find if you just follow the signs along Rte. 95. and follow additional signs to 301 S. County Trail, Exeter, RI, 02822

This is a remarkably beautiful place and you would not regret taking time to stop, I am sure.