Florida XV

Homestead, Florida is the home to many Military service man and women, and you may recall that it was devastated, a number of years ago, by a massive hurricane.

Knowing that there was such a strong military presence and history here, Steve and I decided to see if we might find a memorial, here, too.

We were not disappointment as we were able to locate this one in Losner Park.

Elegant in its simplicity, it honors all veterans.

The large stone is the main feature and it is surrounded by a number of individual memorials to various wars.

The one minor issue we had with it, was that it seemed nearly hidden, back in this corner of a quite small park.

I just read today that last March, it was decided to move it to a new location at City Hall.

So, if you want to see it in its original location, at Krome Avenue and Jasmine Way, you better hurry on over.

Next time, on the 1st of October, we will check out Georgia, so join me there, 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.

Delaware XI

I first visited this site in Dover, Delaware in 2010.

I had read, since then, that there had been a helicopter added along with some other features and memorials to more recent involvements.

So, after thinking about it for quite some time, I returned recently.

There is indeed, a Huey on display now along with some interesting plaques.

Near by are remembrances to those who served upon these war-birds that so very often were angels of mercy. I don't know a 'Nam vet who cannot hear a Huey way off in the distance, often well before anyone else is aware of its approach. there is something distinctive about they sound they make and we never forget it.

I am always pleased when I find a site honoring the dogs used in 'Nam. what many don't know is that they were abandoned at the end of the war, just left to die, or in some cases, I am told, euthanized. they was such an uproar when this became public information that the Military no longer leaved then behind and they are mustered out with their handlers.

There is, also, a POW/MIA chair on site. This is part of a nationwide movement to never let the public forget the sacrifice of so many. These chairs are found around the Nation and this is the second one I have seen in Delaware.

Next time, on the26th, we will return to Florida, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

California XXIII

This beautiful Victorian influenced park lies in Santa Clarita, California.

It was conceived in 2000 and in 2017 another component was added so it is clearly an on-going, living tribute to all Veterans.

From the fountain, one walks down the central path past what are called story stations which give a brief history of a number of our nations battles.

 The one to Vietnam tells our story.

Many names from all eras are engraved on the bricks that  make of the walkways.

In 2017 a new Fallen Soldiers Memorial was added too the site. It lists all those lost from the Santa Clarita Valley from World War II to the present.

Called the Veterans Historical Plaza it is located 24275 Walnut Street and there is parking at the site.

Next time, on the 21st, we will venture back to Delaware, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

9/11 2018

17 years ago the world was changed forever. New considerations, new understanding, and new fears were thrust upon us all.

We all know, and will ever remember, exactly where we were and what we were doing when the news, the horror, the terror, altered our consciousness for all time.

I think The World Trade Center and the Pentagon, which are featured elsewhere on this site,  are probably better known than Shanksville. Pa., so I went there last week to honor the lost and learn more about the sight and the way we have honored the 40 passengers and crew members from Flight 93.

One enters the memorial site from Rte. 30 very near Shanksville and drives along a winding road lined with many trees to a parking lot at the entrance of the site.

The first thing that you see are large walls that dominate the space.

The walls are bisected by a dark path and funnel visitors to the observation and are said to reflect the height of the plane as it passed this spot . The path, said to represent the coal once mined here, turns out to be the exact flight path of the plane.

Along this path is a visitors Center that has any number of interesting and disturbing displays of TV broadcasts from the day, artifacts from the crash site and a huge window that looks out over what is now called The Field of Honor. 

The path itself is marked with a timeline of the other events of that fateful day.

The flight path ends, for the moment, at the observation deck.

From the deck you view the whole area including many of the 40 groves of 40 Red and White Maples,  Oak Trees, and Hemlocks planted as part of the remembrance of the 40 heroes aboard the ill fated airplane.

Debris from the wreckage was spread over a large area, some light weight materials, paper, etc. were found 8 miles from the site.

One can walk one of the paths leading to the crash area or drive along the road which is said to encompass and protect all that were lost there. There is parking near the plaza area from which you must walk the last bit of the journey.

This is the view of The Wall of Names as you approach and the one just below is of the observation deck from the above position.

Along the enclosing wall are several places specifically for visitors to leave small mementos as someone has done here.

The flight path continues from The Wall of Names to the gate which protects the actual impact area which is private.

The gate is made from some of the 100 Hemlock Trees which were destroyed by the crash.

Each of the 40 names is inscribed upon an 8 foot marble panel.

This 14 ton rock marks the actual impact spot of Flight 93 and is considered a burial spot and is reserved for the families of the lost. I had really wanted to place my hand upon it, but that is not allowed and I respect that.

On September 9th, 2018, the last feature of the memorial will be dedicated. It is a 93 foot tall Tower of Voices with 40 wind chimes that will sound in the constant wind which sometimes blows at 150 miles an hour here. The Park Service person on the site said that it will be dedicated but not actually completed by the 9th. There is some issue with the mechanism that holds the, often, very large chimes in place.

I will write more about it sometime in the future, when actually complete,

So, today, take a moment to recall this day 17 years ago and all that it has lead to, all that has happened and all that might yet come. Have a thought for those on board and their heroic actions that may well have saved the lives of countless others. No one actually knows where this plane was headed, but, I do know that many government agencies and personnel were told it was headed for them. Every agency in DC and elsewhere was on alert. I know of one where the employees were told to evacuate and they refused, they chose to stay and do what they could to fight back. Eventually, armed Marines showed up and "escorted" them out of the building.

We will never know if that was, in fact, necessary.

Next time, on the 16th, we will return to visiting Vietnam memorials, this time in California, so join me there at 9:00am.

To see other 9/11 memorials, browse this site, I have posted a few over the years from Arizona, California, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and The Pentagon.

Alabama XV

After photographing the Vietnam memorial (seen elsewhereon this site) I walked down the street to see what else Clanton had to offer. On the other side of the Court House was another memorial that included those lost in 'Nam.

Listing names from several other wars, it honors the 106 from Chilton county who have given their lives for their country.

This includes 11 of our brothers who were lost in 'Nam.

The memorial is located Court House, 500 2nd. Avenue N.

Next time, on the 11th, look for a special 9/11 post from Shanksville, Pa. at 10:03am..

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