Louisana XII

I know that I promised to return to Maine in the last post, but I decided while looking over some old photos to do something a little different first.

Whenever I find a memorial with our brothers and sisters represented, I take a "portrait" of the faces. In looking through some of these today. I thought I would begin to feature them here, too.

So, today, these are from the Vietnam memorial in New Orleans. as I have said previously it is one of two in the city and the only one with soldiers represented. This memorial stands at the Super-dome on the Poydras Street side. It is elevated so you must either look up or climb up to the above street level to see it.

Over the years I have had the honor to meet a few of the sculptors of some of these memorials. They tell me that in most cases the people represented are not actual individuals, but imaginary or, sometimes, composites of many, many people. I have not been able to determine which is the case for these three warriors (top) who are trying to rescue their fallen brother (the last pic.) In fact, the very few exceptions of which I am aware is The Three Servicemen statue in DC, adjacent to The Wall. Two of the three there are said to be of specific individuals and the third is a composite of a couple of guys. One other exception, as a coincidence, in in Iberville, Louisiana.

So, next time, on the 2nd, we will actually return to Maine, so, join me there, as always at 9:00am. Occasionally, I will post additional "The Faces of Remembrance" photos, here.

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

Georgia VI

Columbus is the home of a major military installation that has a terrific infantry museum and a couple of memorials I will write about at a later time. Today, however, I want to share with you a smaller, local, memorial built by the surrounding community.

Located in a small park on the corner of Buena Vista Road and Lawyers Lane it honors not only those who were lost but all that served.

The morning we arrived (my lifelong friend and 'Nam vet Steve was with me) it was so humid and foggy I couldn't get a shot without my camera lenses completely fogging up. I've never really had this happen before. so, we waited and waited for the sun to rise a little higher and burn some of the fog off and for the camera components to clear and become usable.

Once they did, we got to work.

The memorial is made entirely of bricks, some of which have been sculpted to create a scene of several vets, similar to The Three Servicemen at the Wall in DC. I have only seen an all brick memorial once before, in Pennsylvania.

It turned into a beautiful day and I was pleased that we waited for the humidity and fog to dissipate. I love these community memorials after writing about so many of the larger, more elaborate ones throughout the country, it is these that I spend the most time at now.

The bricks adjacent to the soldiers are covered with names. There seemed to be no notation as to branch of service, years served in-country, or if any of these were lost. Just a community remembering and honoring their own.

Next time, on the 28th, we will venture back to Maine, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Connecticut XIII

This beautiful memorial park is in Stamford, Connecticut.

Like most of these, it honors many for many eras and wars. Called, Veterans Memorial Park it was dedicated in 1977 and is located on Atlantic Street, near Main Street.

There are a number of components here, a statue to Lincoln, a Doughboy from WWII, a marker to the founders of the town among the tributes to WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.

This one featuring two grieving women speaks to the loss of war and those left behind.

The In Memoriam marker lists the more than 200 from Stamford who gave their lives in WWII, Korea, and 'Nam.  There are 26 from 'Nam, grouped by branch of service.

There are plans to erect a tribute to a local Medal of Honor recipient.

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

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

California XIX

Inglewood California is less than four miles from LAX. I drove over to see if I could find a memorial I had heard about.

The memorial which honors those lost from WWII, Korea, and Vietnam sits on the lawn of the City Hall.

Topped by an Eagle, it list many names but does not designate in which of these wars war they may have fought and died.

The memorial may be found near the corner of Manchester Blvd, E and Grenville Avenue S.

Next time, on the 18th, we will venture back to Connecticut, so join me there at 9:00am.To see additional memorials from California, or any other state, click on the state name on the left side of this page.

Arizona XV

The Vietnam Memorial Trail was the dream of a couple of Vets from the Peoria, AZ. area. They wanted a place to reflect upon the war, the sacrifices so many made, and just to remember.

In February of 2009 they had the trail in place.

The trail from the trail head to the flag is 1,429 feet and all along the path are markers telling some of the story or memorial markers to specific individuals.

 There are 15 narrative markers and 27 memorializing specific people.

The trail is not difficult and once you reach the top there are a couple of benches along with the dedication marker and the flag. The view from the top is quite beautiful.

I noticed that folks had built small cairns in several places. I looked up what these might mean and it seems that cairns have been used since long before history for any number of reasons. Here, I like to think they are a sign of respect, but one cannot be too sure. I placed the small stone on the top of this one, you can barely see it here as it blends so well with the stone upon which it rests.

There is some concern that this land will be sold by the government and this memorial may be lost, those involved are working hard to have the city of Peoria purchase the site and preserve the memorial.

Next time, on the 13th, we will once again visit California, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Alabama VI

While visiting Birmingham on this last trip to Alabama, we came across references to a Veterans Memorial Park, so, naturally, we decided to check it out.

When we arrived all we found was this trailer and the sign and we thought, "Oh, the park is the memorial," but we decided to walk down the path a bit anyway.

Not too far off into the woods we came upon this astounding memorial.

Inside the memorial are more that 11,000 names of Alabamans that have died defending the country in our 20th and 21st century wars, the obelisk like feature and a variety of quotations from the Presidents during the various wars.

The pillars, outside, are individual tributes to 36 heroes among whom are the 25 Medal of Honor recipients from Georgia. I will write more about them in a later post.

1224 are listed as the lost from Alabama

.

Upon the walls are these quotes from Kennedy, Johnson, and Nixon regarding our efforts in Southeast Asia.

Next time, we will return to Arizona, so join me there as always at 9:00am.

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