Washington VI

Fort Walla Walla was built in 1856 and was a key participant in the final expansion to the west. Due to the discovery of gold, and other factors, the area was expanding rapidly. The local Native Americans attempted to retain their traditional homelands and way of life and the results are long known to history. Now, it is home to museums, public recreational facilities, an old military graveyard, and a Wall commemorating our lost from Vietnam.

The wall sits just on the very edge of the cemetery which has this sign at it's entrance.

The Cemetery

Until 2014 the wall listed 18 men from the Walla Walla area who were lost, but in 2014 one more name was added through the efforts of a lifelong friend who discovered the omission.

The white fence to the right is the corner of the old cemetery.

We almost didn't find this place as there was so much road construction in the area. We drove around and around trying to follow the GPS instructions, only to find road after road blocked. We even talked about giving up, it really seemed as if every entrance was blocked. Once again, as I must often remind myself, persistence paid off, and we finally found an entrance.

The last man added is the last name in the first column: O.D. Hammack

It may be found on the Dalles Military Road in Walla Walla.

Next time, on the 4th of March we will take another look at Arizona, so join me there as always at 9:00am.

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

South Dakota XVIII

On the day I was just tooling around South Dakota I came upon several unknown memorials.

This one, in Howard, like so may in small towns represents and honors all. True, it is not specifically a Vietnam memorial but some of the figures are easily recognizable as our brothers and sisters. Small towns as I have said a number of times before just do not have the resources to create memorials for every war.

Howard, the little I saw of it consisted of one building divided in to two places of business. I walked into one, a small diner like place, and spoke with a couple of guys who, it turns out were vets. While they were quite proud of their memorial they could not give me too many details about it.

There are no names listed here, but, I was able to track down three names from Howard that were lost in 'Nam.

Mia's are not neglected.

Nor, are today's.

Howard has a population, depending upon which source you use, of 822 or 858 and has been decreasing in the last several censuses, so for them to build this great site deserves our respect and thanks.

This memorial may be found at the intersection of Hwy 34 and S. Main Street.

Next time, on the 28th, we will meet again in Washington, so join me there, a always, at 9:00am.

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

Pennsylvania XVI

When last I wrote about Bristol Township, Pa., I concentrated upon the War Dogs Memorial and promised to write more about this site later. Well, at this site there is also a memorial to the 19 from the area who never returned.

Today, I will share a few of the pics from that portion of the memorial. Many are remembered here from various wars, but Vietnam holds a special place of honor among them.

 This plaque refers to 'Nam as The Great Indochina War, the first time I have ever seen this designation.

The statue, like so many, speaks to the never-ending care and camaraderie between those who fought, and died, in 'Nam.

As always, the faces tell the story better than I am able.

The site, also, features a Walk of Honor with each of the 19 lost remembered.

This memorial may be found along side the previously mentioned War Dogs Memorial at 2501 Bath Road, Bristol Township, Pa. 

Note, I have also seen this place referred to as Bristol Borough and just plain Bristol.

Next time, on the 23rd, we will revisit South Dakota, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Oregon VI

For a number of years I had read about an ongoing project in Oregon. I finally got to visit Canby, in the Willamette Valley, late last year.

It seems to be a good thing that it took me so long to get there, as the site is now complete, a project which took about 11 years.

Located at the south entrance to Canby, on Rte 99E, is the unmistakable and unmissable site. It stands in solemn reminder to the thousands who drive by it every day of the sacrifices made by those who served and those who were lost.

It is called a Vietnam era vet memorial as its intent is to honor all who served, no matter where.

There is much to see here and today I will concentrate upon the statue, only one of the many features of this outstanding site.

The statue  depicts two actual citizens of Oregon.

The comment below was taken directly from a website about the memorial.

“A Hero’s Prayer”  was the last piece of the memorial to be finished, and it’s a bronze statue which depicts PFC Gary W. Martini, USMC, Oregon Medal of Honor recipient who was killed in action in Vietnam, with a Vietnamese child by his side. The figure Martini is carrying is U.S. Army Spec-4 Warren E. Newton, a Canby soldier listed as missing in action in Vietnam. The statue was created by Pennsylvania sculptor Wayne Hyde.

You can read more here:

WWW. Oregon.com/attractions/canby-vietnam-memorial

The site is honoring not only all who served but the millions upon millions of Vietnamese citizens who were lost or affected by the war. The inclusion of the child, who by the way, is crying, speaks to this effort and the lasting, perhaps never ending, consequences of war.

I make an effort as I visit these site to, in addition to honoring them and capturing them photographically, to create portraits of those present if they exist. I hope someday to maybe do something different with these pics, but for now, I will include just a couple. I like then and I hope that you will, too.

Martini and Newton

The child with horror in her eyes and a tear upon her cheek

This is one of a very small number of memorials that depicts a child, the ultimate victims.

As I said earlier there is much here and I will write about some of that at a later time.

Next time, on the 18th, we will head back to the east coast. So, join me in Pennsylvania at 9:00am for a new post.

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

North Carolina X

Wilmington, N.C.is such a beautiful city, I think I could very easily live there.

It, also, has two Vietnam memorials at least one of which I will share with you today.

Located along the river front it is in the center of one of the highly visited areas of the city.

It is called the Rolling Thunder Veterans Memorial as it was sponsored by the veterans advocacy group and is located along Water Street along the Cape Fear River.

To read more about this site, go here:

http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091114/articles/911149987Completed in 2009, it honors many, but was built by Vietnam vets.

 

Our next stop, om the 13th, will once again be in Oregon, so meet me there, as usual, 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.

New York VIII

About 10 miles southeast of Buffalo is West Seneca, NY. At the library, on Union Rd., is Veterans Memorial Park where we found this memorial.

It lists the 15 from the area who gave all.

A scene from "a day in the life" is depicted on the front.

The back has this map of 'Nam and an inscription from the artist.

This is one of the many about which I can find very little information, so, as I always do, I'll ask for your input. Know anything about this? Let me know and I will update.

Next time, on the 8th, we will return to North Carolina, so meet me there. Posts post at 9:00am every 5th day, by the way. See you then.

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