Florida XIII

DeLand is about 35 miles north of Orlando and we (my frequent companion and life long friend Steve was with me on this trip) took a short detour to go see it. A city of fewer than 30,000 found a way to honor Vietnam  in two separate memorials in the city. How many times on this site have I commented on the dedication of small towns to their veterans?

Today, I will post just about the specific one near the Court House, on Indiana Street, in downtown DeLand.

There is not a lot of information available about this small, yet somber remembrance.

It contains no names just silent watch. I was able to find six names from DeLand who were lost.

As always, if you have any knowledge or information regarding this site, I would love to hear it. You can comment, or  if you prefer privacy, email me at the address on the left.

Next time, in the new year, on the 3rd of January, come with me, once more to Louisiana, as always, at 9:00am.

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

The Ancient Ones

I have long been interested in the American Southwest and one cannot visit there and not hear about the many, many ruins of former homes, villages and trading centers of the people who were here a thousand years before Columbus, or the Vikings, or the Irish or whomever actually got here from Europe, first. I even spent some time, quite some years ago, on a "dig" in Cortez, Colorado. I was lucky enough to uncover sherds of pottery that were a thousand, or so, years old. It was quite a thrill for me to hold in my hand parts of a pot of some kind made 1000 years earlier and perhaps the last time it was touched was that long ago, too.

For years we have heard these ancient people referred to as Anasazi, but this is a Navajo word meaning, loosely, ancient enemy, a pejorative and the descendants of the often cliff dwelling people do not like it. There is still some discussion about exactly what they should be called, but, for now, Puebloan people seems to be favored.

I would guess that the most famous relic of this noble past is Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, but there are many, many others.

This past summer I had the chance to revisit Manitou Springs, a well restored and kept cliff dwelling site.

In keeping with my "don;t write about Vietnam during the holidays" policy, here are a few pics from this awe inspiring site.

These multistory building were filled with rooms and storage facilities and were easy to defend.

The cliff dwellers lived primarily in the four corners area of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, not in the Manitou Springs area, so in the early 1900's this cliff dwelling was dismantled, stone by stone and brought to the area and completely reassembled, on site,  as a museum.

Here, you can see some of the internal rooms and the view as it might have been seen by the ancient Puebloans.

So, next time on the 29th, we will pick up again with the previously promised site from Florida and to those who celebrate Christmas, on this eve of the day, I wish you the best. Take just a moment today to remember all the men and women in Uniform who cannot be home with their loved ones including all those who are first responders who are on duty today, too.

To see other sites from anywhere in the country, click on the state name on the left side of this page.

WWI, Maryhill, Wa.

Those of you who are familiar with my travels and efforts know that at the holiday season I choose not to write about Vietnam. Often, I'll write about something completely different, one year I recall, it was old restored cars.

Well, this year It gives me the opportunity to write about something I never expected to see and didn't even know existed until very recently.

STONEHENGE

Yep, right here is the U.S.A., in fact, in Maryhill, Washington.

Out in the middle of nowhere, along the Columbia River is this exact, full sized replica of the great, prehistoric site on the Salisbury Plain.

It, too, is a memorial, but this time to those who were lost in WWI, the war to end all wars and since there was a sacrifice alter in the original, the builder wanted it dedicated, too, to those still being lost, as the war was not yet over when this memorial was dedicated.

 

This is just a little different from its English fore-bearer in that it is complete, as it was first built all those millennium ago. I admit it was a little disconcerting to find it perfect in every way.

I have heard it said the these are calendars, time keepers, of a sort and I thought that this was probably so as I watched the sun setting between various stones. At any rate, it was beautiful.

These plaques were attached to many of the stones within the circle honoring many whom were lost.

To learn more about this most unusual site, go here: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maryhill_Stonehenge

Just a few yards away, across the parking area, I saw this old building that reminded me of an old west kind of scene, but then I saw the windmills behind it and couldn't resist capturing the juxtaposition of the old and the new just as the sun was making its final departure for the day.

I truly hope that you and yours have a festive and happy observance and celebration for whatever you do at this time of  the Winter Solstice. There are something like 29 observations of this time of year throughout the world and its many belief systems and I hope that all are happy ones.

So, next time on the 24th, if you get a minute, check out some pics from an ancient civilization, The Anasazi, or The Ancient Ones.

I will resume regular postings about Vietnam memorials after the holidays.

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

Connecticut VIII

612 were lost from Connecticut and 39 of them were from Hartford.

 This memorial sits in a triangle created by New Britain, and Fairfield Avenues and Summit street.

Boy Scout Troop 129 was the driving force behind the memorial along with the support of the citizens of Hartford.

It was dedicated in 1989.

As is too often the case, I was unable to find too much information on this memorial. As always, if yo know anything I would love to hear from you.

Next time, on the 19th, join me , once again, in Florida, as always at 9:00am.

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

Colorado XXII

I have posted from Colorado Springs before, but when I revisited the site earlier this year I found a memorial specifically to Vietnam that Is either new or, for some reason, I may have missed it the first time.

Regardless, here it is.

This is the central tower of the memorial. In a large circle surrounding it are a number of memorials to different wars and warriors. It stands just off South Union Blvd. adjacent to the Olympic Training Center.

There are several memorials here dedicated to those who served or were lost in 'Nam. This is the most general, dedicated to all from Colorado who made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

This last pic is of the dedication plaque at the bottom of the memorial.

The Memorial Park is a central meeting and recreational facility for Colorado Springs. Many, many activities are available and festivals of many kinds are held here. when we were visiting in June, an Irish Fest was taking place in the park.

Next time, on the 14th, we will once again, visit Connecticut,so join me there, as always, at 9:00am

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

I might also remind you, here, that if you "click" on a picture, it will enlarge for better viewing.

Arizona IX

Just a year ago, last December, I wrote about the wonderful memorial at Bull Head City, Arizona. At the time I said that this was a memorial in two parts and that I would get back to show you the second part at a later date. I had no idea it would take me a year. (You can click on Arizona to the left and then scroll back to see the original post, if you like.)

This side of the memorial (called the south side) slips out in to the Colorado River, but you must completely leave the first half to get to the second half as they are divided by an waterway between them.

On this particular spit of land is a memorial to all those who have been awarded the Medal Of Honor in Arizona.

They are listed here beneath the eternal flame which is a little hard to see but was, in fact, burning.

What is striking about this memorial is that the first eleven names are of Native Americans who aided the Army in the battles that eventually settled the state. Of the remaining nine awardees six are from Vietnam.

Unlike the other (North side) portion of the site which lists the 3,000 lost from the state, this one has a specific memorial to Vietnam.

To get there, take State Highway 95 to Riverview Drive. Travel west (towards the Colorado River and past Rotary Park) until the road ends at Riviera Boulevard, about two miles. Turn left onto Riviera Boulevard and continue about 300 yards, where the road terminates into a large parking lot. Follow the signs to enter the memorial park area.

Next time, on the 9th, we will return to Colorado for the 22nd post from this great state, so join me there at 9:00am.

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