Michigan XIX

Michigan Vietnam Memorial

Honoring the 400,000 who served and the 2600 lost, the memorial sits in Michigan Veterans Memorial Park in Lansing.

Today I will honor three from Bellevue, Michigan.

Thomas William Beatty

SP5 Thomas Beatty was on guard duty on May 18, 1971, in the Hua Nghai Province when a barrel of oil exploded burning him severely. 70% of his body was burned. He was transported to a burn unit in Japan, but the treatment there could not save him. He died on June 12, 1971.

Clyde David Lahr

SGT Clyde Lahr: The Vietnamese "Liberation Forces" were attempting take Tay Ninh City as their Capitol. U.S. forces were airlifted in to intercept the VC. Heavy fighting ensued and SGT Lahr, and several others, were lost. He was awarded the Silver Star for his bravery in this action.

David Michael Powell

PFC David Powell was lost on May 10, 1968, at Long An Province. He died of "multiple fragmentation wounds.

Next time, on November 4th, join me in Minnesota. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Massachusetts XXXVIII

The Massachusetts Vietnam Memorial

John Joseph Fullerton jr.

PVT John Fullerton had already been wounded three time when his CO got him transferred to a job at the American Embassy in Saigon because "he needed a break." On Jan 31, 1968, the VC made their way into the embassy and John was killed in the ensuing fire fight. He had arrived in 'Nam in June and by January he had been wounded four times.

Robert Warren Parent

SP5 Robert Parent was lost at Thua Thein on July 21, 1968. He was lost in a helicopter crash on a supply delivery flight.

Believe it or not, the above picture is all that seems to be available: an absolute disgrace! Am I wrong, or did the Army not take pictures of every one of us during basic? If so, why is this all that is available?

Richard William Welch

PFC Richard Welch was lost on September 13, 1968, in the Quang Duc Province to "small arms fire." He was awarded the Silver Star for his actions during the fire fight in which he gave his life.

These three heroes were the only ones lost from Wilmington, Massachusetts. Seems odd that they were all lost in a nine-month period.

Next time, on October 30th, join me in Michigan. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Maryland XLVIII

Recently I was returning from a wedding in Pennsylvania. It was about an hour or so above Philadelphia, so when I hit the Chesapeake House going south on  Rte 95, I decided it was a good time to stop.

After a quick bite and a little rest, I wandered out back from the touristy stuff in side to discover a memorial to women who have served. You , still, don't see to many of these, so I checked it out. 

While it is not specific to Vietnam, our sisters are certainly included in this honor. As you will see in future posts about this spot, Vietnam did play a huge role in its design.

Today, however, just the monolith from the site.

There is more here and as promised when we return you will see the larger connection to Vietnam.

Next time, on October 25th, join me in Massachusetts. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Maine XXIV

 

Maine Vietnam Memorial, Augusta.

Today, a few from Maine.

Dennis Owen Crocker

PFC Dennis Crocker was lost in the Quang Tin Province on August16, 1968, to "Non-hostile ground fire." Elsewhere, his loss is attributed to "Accidental homicide." Not sure exactly how much ground that covers, but I could find no other information.

Wayne Clifton Cyr

SSG Wayne Cyn was lost on May 7, 1968, to " hostile.... ground fire...other explosive device." He was serving in the Quang Nam Province.

Merwin Alexander Delano III

PCT Merwin Delano was lost om March 17, 1966, to "hostile action... multiple fragmentation wounds." He was serving in the Quang Tri Province and was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. He was 18 years old.

All of these heroes were from Bath, Maine where, interestingly, many of our war ships are built.

Next time, on October 20th, join me in Maryland. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Louisiana X

One of the two memorials in New Orleans

Louisiana, as recently posted here, has dedicated their State Vietnam Memorial north of New Orleans.

 You can see more about this here.

Today, however, we will pay tribute to a few of those honored and remembered on this latest tribute. 

JamesThomas Hilton Cordova

SSGT James Cordova as lost on January 3, 1965, at Binh Dinh Province. He was lost while missing by "drowning or suffocation." I could find no other information.

Thomas Simon Malmay

SP4 Thomas Malmay was in Military Region 1, offshore in 'Nam. He was lost in an "air loss, crash at sea" on September 26, 1970. His chopper was lost in what is considered a non-hostile " incident. No other details were found.

Richard Jarrell Remedies

PFC Richard Remedies was lost at Bein Hoa on August 1, 1967, to "friendly fire." He was caught in a crossfire during a fire fight.

All of these men were from Zwolle, Louisiana.

Next time, on October 15th, join me in Maine. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Kentucky X

Kentucky Vietnam Memorial, Frankfort.

 

The Kentucky memorial in Frankfort has always been one of my very favorite sites. It is a masterpiece of design and thought. Check it out here.

James Dwight Anderson

PFC James Anderson was lost in the Quang Ngai Province to "other explosive device." He was lost on August 15, 1969. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor. I could find no other details.

Ernest Wayne Rutherford

PFC Ernest Rutherford was lost to "misadventure, friendly fire" in the Thua Thien Province on July 11, 1968.  He was lost when artillery fire, meant to support, fell short killing several and wounded many others.

Elzie Sanders jr.

SP4 Elzie Sanders was lost to "small arms fire" on November 12, 1967, in the Tay Ninh Province. I read a brief article about how a road in his hometown was renamed for him. In the article it said he was killed rushing into enemy fire to save two other soldiers.

Next time, on October 10th, join me in Louisiana. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.

Kansas XVI

The Kansas Vietnam Memorial is in Junction City, near Fort Riley, not the Capitol, Topeka. Speculation is that this is because so many shipped out to 'Nam from here. But, as I say, this is speculation from folks I talked to in the area. (As always, if you know something about this, please contact me at the email on the left. I always want to know more and correct any errors!)

Kansas State Vietnam Memorial, Junction City.

David Lee DeLaughder

PFC David De Laughder was lost to "other explosive device in the Quang Nam Province. He was lost on April 4, 1967, to a wound on the 10th of April.

Donald Allen Evans

CAPT Donald Evans was lost in the Pleiku Province on January 1, 1968. He was lost to "multiple fragmentation wounds." He was an Army Ranger and from the tributes left on his Wall of Faces page, he was well respected and loved.

Clinton Dwight Pierce

PFC Clinton Pierce was lost to" small arms fire" on November 8,1969. He was lost in the Quang Nam Province. is obituary mentions that he was lost while on patrol.

I have ranted here, probably too often, about how frustrating it is to be able to find so very little information about men and women who gave their lives for our efforts in 'Nam. Today, while trying to find info on PFC Pierce, I ran across tons of information about General Pierce.

Doesn't seem right to me!

Next time, on October 5th, join me in Kentucky. See you, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you have been 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 (several times now), Colleen from Pennsylvania (now three times!) Elli from Maryland and Peg and Ray from Florida (more than once!), among others have responded to my request to send memorials you have seen in your area or from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland.

These generous submissions have helped to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

I thank all who have participated.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group.