Texas XI

116 miles west of Dallas is the town of Ranger. I knew they had a memorial there so I headed in that direction. The memorial was located in a small park and was easy to find. Ranger is a really small town. It had a population of under 2500 in the 2010 census and as I have said so many times before, I was amazed at what small towns manage to do for their own. I have been to states that have no official state memorial and yet, these small communities manage to find a way to honor their sons and daughters.

It was a bright and hot day and the usual issues with reflection were rampant but the memorial still shines through honoring those from the area.

The back names those involved in the project and what appears to be additional names, as so often happens, added later. I read that this was dedicated in 2007.

Nearby, this reminded of the POW/MIAs stands guard.

 

A short distance away, in the same park, I found this older, more general, remembrance for those who served. It is dated 1998.

A word of warning if you decide to visit this memorial. I was cited by the local police for exceeding the speed limit by 5 miles an hour. This happened in a practically stereotypical speed trap. The cop was uncommunicative and unfriendly, rude actually. He insisted that the fine would be $105 dollars, but after paying all the "fees" for paying by phone, using a Visa card and several other nonsensical fees, it was nearly $200 dollars, so be careful if you go!

Next time, on May 1, we will travel back to Virginia, so join me there, as usual at 9:00am

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

South Dakota XV

I had a little time, so I thought I would drive out to Devil's Gulch, where Jesse and Frank James evaded a posse in hot pursuit by jumping the gulch. Well, it was a little difficult to find and then when I did, it didn't seem as if the average horse would have much trouble jumping it. I think they got away because they jumped from Minnesota into South Dakota, but that is really just a guess.

I decided just to cruise through the town of Garretson, SD just to see if maybe there was a memorial in the town. I hadn't driven but three or four blocks when I came upon this multi-war memorial near the corner of 2nd and Main.

The wind was blowing pretty hard, you can see that the flag pole is under some stress.

As with all multi-war sites, several involvements are honored here, Vietnam is on the top right side with the four from the area who were lost named and honored forever.

So, a side trip to check out Jesse James lead me to a memorial to four of our brothers. I have learned not to be surprised by what I find on this journey.

Next time, on April 26th, we will once again, visit Texas, so join me there at 9:00am, as always.

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

South Carolina V

Beaufort, South Carolina is one of those remarkably beautiful places that you never forget. Lots of water, Spanish moss and all the things that my mind, at least conjures up when I think of the deep South.

We, Steve and I, actually, only spent one night here. The hotel we stayed in was managed by by an Army vet, now retired and she went out of her way to look out for us.

The memorial is located  right on the water in Henry Chambers Waterfront Park. I tried taking a few shots at night when we first arrived but was not particularly happy with them. so the next day, I got these to honor the 13 from the area that were lost.

   

     

The complete inscription reads:

    Dedicated to Those Who Selflessly and
Willingly Served Their Nation During
The Vietnam War.

Their Hearts Were Tempered In Fire;
Their Souls Forged On The Anvil Of War.
No Glory Of The Moment Was Awarded,
Yet History Will Keep And Honor Them Forever.

NOR SHALL YOUR STORY BE FORGOT,
WHILE FAME HER RECORDS KEEP.
O'HARA  

I couldn't end this post without posting a couple of pics showing the beauty of this place. I hope you enjoy them.

The above shot is taken from just beyond the memorial and the one below is about 90 degrees from it.

Next time, on the 21st, we will return to South Dakota. Meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see additional memorials from South Carolina, or any other state, click the 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.

Pennsylvania XIV

On a beautiful but chilly Spring day I found this memorial on the corner of Hamilton and 5th Streets in Allentown. It stands in front of the Federal Court House and was erected by local Realtors. I'm not sure I have seen a memorial erected by Realtors before, interesting.

Names the Lehigh Valley Vietnam Memorial it lists the many names of those from the area who gave their all. Researching this site was a little confusing because there is another Lehigh Valley Memorial in the area.

Seeing the names that were later identified and added to this site makes me wonder if I have ever seen one where this was not the case?

Just down the other side of the street, I found this small memorial to all the women who have supported war efforts throughout our history. It is not specifically Vietnam, but her uniform looks as if it might be, I think the women who have been involved in war have never gotten their due, the respect they deserve, so I like to point out these memorials when I find them. No matter how few or far between they are.

So, next time we will return to Rhode Island, so join me there at 9:00am on the 11th.

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

North Carolina IX

North Carolina has always held a special place in my heart. My ancestors settled there when they were forced out of Scotland. There is even a school not too very far from Fayetteville named after a long gone relative. I, also, did my Basic Training at Fort Bragg and I still have beloved cousins who live not too far away. So, I enjoy visiting and have taken advantage of all this to visit many times.

To continue from the last post (scroll back one if you missed it) visitors to The Wall, in D.C. have left warehouses full of mementos, personal items, pictures, medals, uniform pieces and a myriad of other items. So, too, here in Fayetteville. Now, this Wall's visit was very short and yet I discovered several things that were left by a loved one. It fascinates me that for some of us, the war was 50 years ago and yet there is still a need to make these contacts and connections. Still a need to find some reason, solace and perhaps, a little peace. I hope those that left these found a little of what they were seeking.

Each of these many flags was dedicated to a particular soldier. The soldier's name and that of the donor were prominently displayed on each flag.

This one boasted a poem written by a loved one to the one lost.

A simple unit patch. People leave what they have.

Others have much more. This looks like the "year book" we got leaving Basic Training and some photos probably from 'Nam.

Our next visit will be in Pennsylvania, so join me there, on the 6th, as always at 9:00am.

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