Last post of 2013

Something a little different.

I was going to post a memorial from New York state today, but a 'Nam vet buddy sent me this and I thought that it was great. I missed it on TV and am not particularly a Garth Brooks fan. But, what a job he did!

I attempted to imbed this but that is not possible. So, click on the link below ( or copy and paste ) which will take you to You Tube and the video. Watch it all the way through, it is more than worth it.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Hh82llukEA


To all my friends, readers and especially vets out there, have the best New Year yet. If you are still struggling with the war, go to your nearest Vet Center, they want to help. If you are doing OK, reach out to someone who might need you and not even recognize that they do. Make the New Year better for them.

Next time, on the 5th of January, visit Rochester, New York to see one of the most thoughtfully designed and laid out memorials I have yet encountered.

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

Holidays 2013

In the second, and final, non memorial post of the season, I wanted to share this one with you. Again, I was in New Mexico at a place called "Jackalope." Jackalope is a rambling, multi-acre emporium of all kinds of stuff. Once, it was mostly south-western items of numerous types, but over the years it has grown (and grown) into a source of all kinds of interesting things from all around the world. When in Santa Fe, I always try to stop in and see what new treasures they have uncovered.

One thing that has never changed, however, is the Prairie Dog Colony they have on site. These little guys have the run of their area and are always surrounded by kids (of all ages) who delight in their antics.

On this particular day as I was walking by, I noticed this guy who seemed to be mimicking St. Francis! St. Francis is extremely well known and popular in the southwest, and perhaps his little buddy, here, is just trying to steal some of the love!

OK, so enough of being off the subject!

Next time, on the last day of the year, visit New York with me and see what may just be the most well thought out memorial I have had the honor to visit. December 31st at 9:00am

Christmas 2013

Last year, at this time, I posted a photo of  a Christmas tree at the apex of The Wall. I got such a good response to it that I thought that I would try to find another this year. As my long time readers know, I don't usually post memorial pictures during the holiday season. In previous years I have posted locomotives, or car show pics but then I found the tree pic. In that spirit, this year, I found this one. I want to make clear that I did not take this pic. I take all of the pics on this site unless otherwise noted, which is very rare, now a total of three, but not this one. I just like it and want to share it with all of you while hoping that you and your families  have a great season, no matter what or how you celebrate. 

 

Join me, again, on the 26th of December, as always, at 9:00am.

To see other pictures from any state, click on the state name on the left side of this page.

New Mexico IV

I may have mentioned, before, that New Mexico is one of my favorite places. I was there recently on a family trip and managed to carve out a day to drive over to Grants. Grants lies about 80 miles west of Albuquerque along route 40. I had read often of a memorial there and finally got a chance to see it.

The memorial rests in Friendship Park, along Santa Fe Avenue.

Cibola County, where Grants is located, lost five of her sons in Vietnam. three other of her sons are chiefly responsible for this beautiful tribute. Consisting of three large marble stones each representing vets. The center stone is engraved with the names of the five lost and the other two, larger stones honor all lost or considered missing. The Santa Fe Avenue Beautification Committee planted tulips in the park and along the Avenue.

A number of state officials, Tribal leaders, along with hundreds of bikers headed for The Wall in D.C. were on hand for the dedication.

To see other sites from New Mexico, or any other state, click on the state name on the left side of this page.

New Jersey III

Elizabeth, New Jersey, has taken a lot of heat over the years due to its petrol-chemical associations, but it also boasts a very nice, dignified memorial to those who served in Vietnam.

Located in Winfield Scott Park at Elizabeth Avenue and Bridge Street it honors the 30 men from the area who gave all in Vietnam.

Many kinds of honors are dedicated here. specific to an individual or, a few, more general from businesses or families.

 On the 16th we will visit New Mexico. Join me, as always, at 9:00am

To see the other posts from New Jersey, or any other state, click on the state's name of the left side of this page.

Montana III

A young man visited a veteran's memorial in another part of Montana and wanted his uncle to purchase a brick to commemorate the uncle's service to his country. The uncle said, "Why don't you build a memorial in Dillon?"

That is exactly what the young man did. He talked to folks in his hometown of Dillon, Mt. and was overwhelmed by the response. goods and materials were donated and the project was underway.

A stonemason and builder by trade, the young man began work and over time this beautiful memorial evolved from a dream to a reality.

It is dedicated to all veterans, but as you can see there are many from Vietnam remembered and honored here. Located along the I-15 Business Route, it is the pride of the town and well worth the time to stop and visit.

If you would like to read more about this effort, click the link below, or copy and paste into your browser.

http://www.indiangaming.com/istore/Mar08_Who%27s%20Who.pdf

Next time, on the 11th, we will visit New Jersey, join me there at 9:00am


To see the other posts from Montana, or any other state, click the states name on the left side of this page.

Missouri VIII

As mentioned previously, I had to return to Missouri due to a computer system failure that cost me all the pics from my first trip. This turned out to be a good thing as I found additional sites and met some really interesting folks. One of these chance meetings led to my being interviewed by a local St. Louis radio station. The interview turned out to be one of the most popular ones ever broadcast!

This memorial is located in a suburb called Florrisant. In fact, I was interviewed there by the local edition of The Florrisant Patch, an on-line newspaper. Quite a trip, all in all!

The memorial sits in a small park area and is dedicated to those who served and those lost in Vietnam. Dedicated on July 4th, 1969, it remembers and honors the 41 from the area who were lost. It is also one of the older memorials I have found around the country.

The memorial is located along Howdershell Road.

Next time, on December 6th, check out a site in Montana. As always, I will see you at 9:00am.

Mississippi II

Mississippi is where this effort really got started. On that first visit I was only able to honor one site in Ocean Springs, near Biloxi. That visit was the very first and has inspired all the rest so luckily, I was able to return and find a couple of more. This one in Oxford really touched me, not so much because it is the most spectacular, but because Oxford is the town William Faulkner lived in for many years and based so many of his stories upon. Faulkner is one of my favorite writers so it was just special, for me, to be here.

The Lafayette Count Court House was rebuilt after being destroyed in the Civil War. Completed in 1872 it now is home to the local Veteran's memorial which lists many from the area who were lost in wars.

Three from Vietnam are commemorated and honored here.

Next time, December 1, we return to Missouri. Check out a new site at 9:00am.

To see more sites from Mississippi, or any other state, click the name of the state on the left side of this page.

Minnesota V

I was directed to this town in Minnesota by someone I happened to meet in South Dakota. She led me to one spot and then gave me directions to this and one other spot. these other two will post sometime in the future, but today we visit Edgerton.

None of these were solely a Vietnam memorial but all included those who served and/or were lost there. One of things that struck me was the heritage, if you will, of families serving at one time or another. You can see, here, a couple long lists of those who made the sacrifice to answer when the country called. Impressive.

The photo above this one has a key at the bottom to designate time of service.

A number of folks from this family served, but four went to Vietnam.


Another lesson I keep learning about small towns and what they do for their own was reinforced here. this beautiful memorial to all that have served was built by a town of just over 1100 folks.

Honored separately on their own stone are those who were lost over the years. You can see that two from a town of 1100 were lost in 'Nam.

Edgerton is in the southwest corner on Minnesota in Pipestone county. I found this interesting and learned that Pipestone is named for a local quarry that the Sioux, and others, mined for its soft stone out of which they made their ceremonial pipes. Cool!

The memorial sits at the intersection of  N. Main Street and  Center Street.     .

Next time, come with me to Mississippi to visit a small memorial in a town made famous by William Faulkner, one of my favorite writers. See you at 9:00am on the 26th of November.


To see other memorial from Minnesota, or any other state, click on the states name from the list on the left side of this page,

Michigan VI

This memorial is located in Lansing and is called the Michigan Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The name differs because, as long time readers know, there is another Michigan Vietnam memorial in Mount Pleasant. That one can be seen by clicking on Michigan, on the left, and scrolling through 'til you find it.

Built in 2001 to honor the 2651 lost or missing, the memorial was refurbished in 2008 and 9 MIA's located over the years were re-designated as lost. I have written before about the efforts of the joint committee from both nations to repatriate all MIA's and this is a indicator of what can be accomplished.( Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command ) According to the provided link, the effort seems to be in disarray at the moment. Hopefully, it can regroup and I hope it never ends until every single person lost is fully accounted for and returned to their country and their loved ones.

This memorial is a 120 foot arch, ten feet high, with all of those honored listed by the country in which they lived. Benches are provided for meditation or contemplation.

Located at The Hall of Justice between Ottawa and Allegan Streets in an open area with a few trees and the usual flags.

I like this memorial, I like them all, but I think it is an interesting example of something I have mentioned before on this site. Memorials tend to have a "feel" to them. Some are clearly designed by the average guy who went to 'Nam and others have a more "corporate" or as I call it "State" feel to them. The non "State" ones sometimes feel a little busy, lots going on, like the one in Heck Park, in Monroe, MI. which I think is great. You can see what the vets involved really wanted us to see and understand (see Michigan memorials, as above) and others like this one, or the one in Boscawan, NH. seem, just more packaged, somehow. I am not sure that this is a problem, just an observation.

Next time, join me in Minnesota at 9:00am on the 21st of November.

To see other posts and memorials from Michigan, or any other state, click the state's name on the left side of this page.

Massachusetts III

I've written previously about a memorial in Springfield, Mass. but today I want to visit one unlike any I have seen before.

Located in the Winchester Square section of Springfield is the only memorial I have ever seen solely to African American soldiers lost in the war. In truth, dating itself considerably, it refers to Negro soldiers and proudly lists the names of the five men from the area who were lost.

The granite memorial boasts an eagle perched upon a bundle that may be a fasces, but since it has leaves I am not positive about that identification.


It can be found on the corner of State Street and Eastern Ave.

And, remember today to take a few moments and remember these fallen and all who have served our country on this Veteran's Day 2013.

Next time, we will visit the "other" Michigan Vietnam memorial in Lansing. Join me at 9:00am on the 16th.

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

Maryland IV

Located at the Talbot County Court House, in Easton, under some trees is the local Vietnam memorial. Consisting of two standing markers, it depicts, on the left, a map of Vietnam and the names of the ten from the area who were lost. On the right, a soldier is cradling his dying buddy, while a chopper attempts to arrive in time.

Next time, on the 11th, Veteran's Day, join me in Massachusetts to honor the only memorial I have seen that honors Black soldiers. This one will post at the 11th hour to honor Armistice Day which we now know as Veteran's Day.

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

Maine V

339 KIA/MIAs are honored here.

From this angle, the soldier is being aided by his comrades

But, this way, one sees the Huey swooping in to his assistance.

About 70 miles from Augusta is Bangor, Maine. It is the home to a very nice Vietnam memorial. It consists of a statue of two soldiers aiding another, a wall with al 339 KIA/MIAs, a tank and a Huey. Located at the Cole Land Transportation Museum, (405 Perry Road) it honors our brothers and sisters from Maine.

When I first learned of it, some years ago, I thought that it was the official state Vietnam memorial. Later while visiting the state capitol at Augusta, I discovered the one there: also, the Maine state Vietnam memorial.

The one at the capitol, previously posted on this site, was dedicated long before the one in Bangor and I have no explanation as to why they are both called the Maine Vietnam Memorial. I know that the one in Bangor was built so that there would be a memorial listing all the names of those lost or missing, as there are no names on the Augusta memorial. I have tried, without success, to contact representatives of each to see if I could determine the reason why each bears the same name. There are other states that have more than one official memorial but usually one is called a memorial and the other is called a monument or some other such designation. (As always, if any of you know anything about this, I would live to hear from you. There is an email on the left side of this page.)

Next time, join me in the Free State, Maryland, as always at 9:00am, on the 6th of November.

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

Louisiana VII

While driving around, before crossing the Mississippi into New Orleans, we came upon this memorial at an intersection in Meterie. I had been here before, many years ago, when friends lived here. but had spent no time here since.

I can find no mention of this memorial anywhere. It is a multi-war memorial that has a Vietnam component and is located at the intersection of Meterie and Bonnebel.

You can see that it lists no names,only the span of the war, in their approximation. As I have said many time before, some count the war years as beginning with the Gulf of Tonkin incident and resolution. This makes little sense, to me, but I have seen it over and over on this journey.

Next time, on the 1st of November, we will return to Maine, to see the "other" Maine Vietnam memorial. Join me, as always, at 9:00am.

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