Virginia XII

At one time, many years ago, I considered Yorktown, Virginia my home. I lived in an old home that is now the completely renovated Colonial Yorktown Ben and Jerry's! Mixed feelings about that.

So, I was in the area recently and decided to see if they had, along with all the associated Revolutionary War sites and monuments, if they had a Vietnam memorial.

Outside of York Hall is this obelisk with names from Bacon's Rebellion to Vietnam. I couldn't quite remember Bacon's Rebellion, so I looked it up.

100 years before the American Revolution, Mr. Bacon and some other Virginia planters rebelled against the Virginia government for being too decent to the local Indians.

The memorial is quite simple and Vietnam shares a face with Korea and it lists ten names of those lost in 'Nam.

York Hall sits on the corner of Ballard and Main Streets.

Next time, on the 5th of November we will return to Washington, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Pennsylvania XXIV

Greencastle-Antrim placed this memorial honoring the service and sacrifice of 121 of its citizens dating back to the Revolutionary War on November 11, 2008.

Someone with a $2.00 can of spray paint did $10,000 worth of damage to it at a later date.

The memorial consists of several panels, two of which were damaged. These had to be removed and shipped to Ohio for repair.

The side honoring more recent events, including Vietnam, was not damaged and remains on display.

The newly repaired section of the memorial will be rededicated on November 11th, 2018.

The memorial sits at the Greencastle Borough Hall on N. Washington Street.

Next time, on the 31st, we will return to Virginia, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

New Jersey XII

I have written on a number of occasions about how struck I am at what some places do for their lost vets. Sometimes it is just a few from the area, but this time, this memorial, is for just one person.

PFC Giocobbe was killed just a couple of months after arriving in 'Nam. He arrived in June and was lost in August.

His hometown first placed a plaque in his memory but it was lost to construction and time. This one was placed in 1994 and will stand forever.

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In a small park, named in his honor, the memorial has quite a bit of detail.

The Field Cross is one of the main components and in every picture I have seen it is fronted with a wreath, including on the day I visited. It was in August, however, so maybe it is just a coincidence.

 I think this little park is just beautiful and certainly a fitting memorial to the soldier. It is located on Ganttown Road and you should pay a visit if in the area.

Next time, on the 26th, we will return to Pennsylvania, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Maryland XXI

Thurmont lies just a short drive above Frederick, Md. It is well known for its beauty and its apples, among other things. It, also, honors its service men and women with a Memorial Park that honors all that served.

Among the several memorials here is one dedicated to all the residents who served in 'Nam.

Two among these were lost and their names are marked with a + to denote their service and ultimate sacrifice.

As is nearly always the case, names have been added after the dedication. As you know if you follow this page we recently dedicated a memorial in my county. We worked for nine years to get it done and part of that effort was a an ongoing attempt to be accurate, to ensure that every veteran that was lost or remains missing was included. the numbers changed as we found more and more names. we thought we had done a terrific job finding all. On the day of the dedication, a lady approached me and said that one of the names marked as MIA had, in fact, been recovered and interred at Arlington National Cemetery. We didn't make it one day. If we can confirm this,  a correction will be made to be sure. So, as I said, it seems to happen all the time.

Memorial Park is located at 116 Main Street.

Next time, on the 21st, we will travel back to New Jersey, so meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Maine XVI

About 4 miles from the more famous Kennebunkport, Maine is Kennebunk, Maine! Here, I found this small, yet, dignified memorial to a few of our more recent wars, including Vietnam.

Nestled among some trees and flanked by three flag poles it honors those from , and Vietnam.

There are several benches to reflect and remember.

Honored are those who served in all of our involvements from WWII to Iraq.

Located near the intersection of Summer Street and Portland Road, it was dedicated relatively recently although no specific date is listed.

Next time, on the 16th, we will see another site in Maryland, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Iowa VIII

I have written about the memorial in Bayliss Park in Council bluffs before, but, today, I want to post one of my Faces of Remembrance series, with a small twist.

The soldier depicted in the statue is said to be Phillip Grego who was lost in 'Nam. His family worked tirelessly to have the memorial built.

This picture is not the best, but I think it is a little unusual to see glasses done so well. They are, also, not the standard military issue, interesting.

But, that is not the twist. 

Standing just a few feet away is a statue of a slightly older man who is holding a folded American flag. He is looking towards the statue and while I have no verification, I think he is Phillip's father, or a representative of all fathers.

I also see a certain serenity (?) in each pic. Perhaps it is something else.

At the time I took these pics, I had no idea I would be writing a Faces of Remembrance series, so I did not concentrate on the faces. these were cropped from larger pictures.

One never knows where the journey might take you.

Next time, on the 11th, we will return to Maine, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Georgia X

At Fort Benning, in Columbus, Georgia, is a 3/4 size replica of the Wall.

While similar, it is different in several ways. Obviously it is smaller, 240 feet by 8 feet high. Also, it is rectangular, not sloping like DC.

In addition, the names are grouped alphabetically, by year, making an individual name easier to find, perhaps.

It lies just adjacent to the Heritage Walk just outside the National Infantry Museum at the Fort. The Walk features thousands of pavers honoring the many who have served.

In my reading up on this, after my visit, it is unclear about how long this memorial will remain at Fort Benning. One place says it will remain until "at least 2019," another says that the Museum will be come its permanent home.

As you enter the Vietnam Memorial Plaza, where the wall is placed you, also, see this memorial and a couple of others dedicated dedicated to those who served and those who served at home: families.

Next time, on the 6th, we will take another look at Iowa, so join me there at 9:00am.

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