Vermont XIV

I have posted from the unique memorial at Rutland, Vermont before. It is a great story and you can see it here, if you missed it the first time.

I managed to find a few names of our lost brothers from Rutland, and I will feature a few of them today.

Edward A. Birmingham

On October 2nd, 1967, PSG Birmingham was leading his men across a rushing, fog encased river when the VC opened up on them.

 "...One of the platoon members became entangled in the rope while the enemy leveled fire at the men on the life line. Platoon Sergeant Birmingham plodded into the river to save the endangered man. During his rescue efforts Sergeant Birmingham was swept away by the powerful current. It was not until days later that his body was found down stream..."*

PSGT Birmingham lost his life while attempting to save another on October 2nd, 1967 in the Quang Nam Province. 

 

Allen H. Archer

SFC Archer was lost by small arms fire in March 22, 1967, only two months after arriving in 'Nam. 

 

Joe K. Fish

LCPL Joe K. Fish was killed near Hue on February 19, 1968 by hostile small arms ground fire. It was the Tet Offensive and was a terrible time for all. 

Next time, on August 30th, we will return to Virginia, 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!  

Vermont IV

The memorial in Rutland was born from one man's depression and another's determination to see the project through.

Vet John Reno, like so many of us, had struggled with his memories, flashbacks and depression. He chose to work through these by pursuing his artistic vision. In 1981 he decided to work through his anger, to work off his pain. He began working on an abandoned piece of marble from an old plant. This would be his way out.

A tragic accident in 1982 ended his dream along with his life and the marble was forgotten. Then in 1995 John Bergeron, another Vietnam vet, went hunting for, and found the art work. This, then became the focal point of the Rutland Memorial. A local artist, Don Ramey, completed the piece as a tribute to all vets.

Described by some as a Frozen Soldier, it is Located in a median strip park it is not hard to locate on S. Main St., Rutland, VT

Directions:

South side of downtown. West side of US Hwy 7/4, between Washington St. and Killington Ave.

Sponsored by VVA, chapter 1, Rutland and was made possible by many contributions from individuals and businesses, it was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2000.