Nebraska IX

Nebraska City is the County Seat of Otoe County and their war memorial sits upon the grounds of the Court House.

The memorial is what is sometimes called a multi war memorial as it commemorates those lost from more than one war, in this case WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

10 from the county are honored here along with a number of others from the other wars.

All I could find out about the area is that the county is named for the Otoe Indian Tribe and has a total population, as of 2010, of a little more than 15,000.

I always wonder how these 10 (or 20,or 30, or 7 as the case may be) ended up being the ones who were lost and how their families deals with the, surely never-ending, grief. I often wish there was more information available as this seems so little to say about someones loved one.

Next time, on September 3rd, we will venture, once more, to Nevada to see an, as yet, unbuilt memorial, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am

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

Minnesota VII

Well, after problems for which I have no explanation, I am back on line. I hope to be able to resume, uninterrupted postings of Vietnam Memorials every 5th day at 9:00am, as has always been my practice. I am sorry for any inconvenience or confusion this has caused.

Today, we return to Minnesota as previously promised.

Hardwick lies in the southwest portion of the state and I was directed to this memorial by a local, I had been unaware of it.

This one, like the one in Edgerton, nearby, honors generation after generation of those from the area that have defended the country. No specific memorial to 'Nam actually exists, but all are honored here.

I have seen a number of sites that have purposely left space for future honors to be given, but this is the first that has a separate, unmarked stone awaiting, sadly, the inevitable, perhaps yet unborn, names that will at some time be etched upon its face.

So, the next time, if all goes well, we will revisit Nebraska, so, meet me there as always at 9:00am on the 28th.

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

Massachusetts VI

Dedicated in 1987, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Clock Tower is an 85 foot high structure of brick and granite with a gold leaf cupola and a working clock. This is unique among the memorials I have seen.

The base of the tower is 16 feet by 16 feet and is dedicated to the memory of Quincy men who died from wounds suffered during the war in Vietnam.

Located on Victory Lane in Marina Bay, the tower has a quote from JFK.

It lists the 48 from the are that were lost. 

This is in a particularly beautiful setting that does great honor to all those remembered here.

Next time, on the 17th, we will make a trip back to Minnesota, so join me there as always at 9:00am.

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

September 11, 14 years later

Here in the area of the Pentagon the sky was a beautiful blue, a few puffy white clouds drifting by. The temp was  near perfect, mid seventies, what my wife has always called San Diego weather.

Never again, now it will always be 9-11 weather for us.

I don't always get to it, but I try to pay some kind of tribute on this site to those who were lost and those who were affected, the vast majority of us, on this day.

My travels to seek out and photograph Vietnam memorials has often brought me in contact with 9-11 memorials, too. I photograph all of them, too.

Today, I want to honor one from West Springfield, Massachusetts.

Located on the Town Common, the memorial features an eternal flame and several plaques, Each of them will follow here.

This memorial recalls and honors all that were lost, but one in particular who was born and raised in West Springfield.

You can read more about her, here;

http://www.legacy.com/sept11/story.aspx?personid=98339


And, a final thought.

 So, 9-11 is here, once again to remind us of many things. Maybe the most important thing could be to tell someone you love that you love them, hug your kid just a little longer, be a little kinder to everyone. take full advantage of the opportunities you have.

This posted today at 8:46, the time the first plane hit The World Trade Center.

Check back tomorrow for the regularly scheduled Vietnam memorial which, entirely coincidentally, is from Massachusetts, too.

Maryland IX

Some of you may know that I served in the Army's Navy. Yup, watercraft, trained at Norfolk, Va. the whole nine yards. We lived on an Army base at Ft. Eustis, Va. and trained in Norfolk. In 'Nam, I traveled up and down the Mekong trying to supply the guys with anything they needed. It was said at the time that the Army had more watercraft than the Navy. We had all kinds of things, amphibious, landing craft, tugs, 600 foot freighters etc, etc, etc. The Army did not have battleships, submarines and the like. I have been told that this is no longer the case, that the water based stuff has been taken over completely by the Navy. I cannot confirm this, but I have heard it.

So, at any rate, I am interested in how the Sailors and Airmen who served in 'Nam are honored.

I have heard rumors for years that there was a Vietnam Memorial at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, but have been unable to track it down. The folks at the visitors center, on one occasion,  told me that there was no such memorial, and yet, I kept running across references to it here and there.

On a recent weekend I visited the Academy and in the course of walking around, I flagged down an Academy police officer and asked her. Sure enough, she knew just where it was, circled it on a map and gave it to me. I was elated, except for one thing. I had not intended on this day to photograph anything so all of my camera equipment was at home.

So a week or two later, I went back specifically to find and photograph the elusive memorial. It was just where she said it was, so thank you, Officer.

It sits outside the Alumni building, on the water, and lists the names of the 174 Naval Academy graduates that lost their lives in Vietnam. This seemed a little odd at first, until I remembered that many of them were probably Navy pilots, then it all made sense.

So, this simple, yet elegant, memorial honors these brave sailors forever, as it should be.

This may be the only memorial I have ever seen that has not had names added to it, after the original dedication. I tried to find out if the plaque I was looking at was the original or if as names were discovered new plaques were made. I was unsuccessful at learning the facts, so, I will do what I always do and ask you, my readers, if you know anything to let me know. You have come through a number of times in the past and I trust you will again.

I added this sub tribute, simply, because I like it.

Next time, on the 12th we will return to Massachusetts, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Indiana VII

Princeton lies in Gibson County, Indiana and on the Court House lawn is a memorial honoring those who served and those who were lost in Vietnam and Korea.

The two panels commemorate the two wars.

The central stone quotes president Reagan and honors those that served as well as the lost.

Eleven from the area were lost in Vietnam and are remembered, for ever, here.

This is another of the far too many memorials about which I can find little information, so, once again, I am asking my readers to fill me in if you know any details or stories of interest. This happens on occasion and I am always happy to report what you teach me. 

Next time, on September 7th, we will revisit Maryland, actually the Naval Academy in Annapolis. so, join me there at 9:00am on the 7th.

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