California XVIII

Lomita, California dedicated a memorial to all from the area who have given their all and made the ultimate sacrifice for their brothers and sisters-in-arms, their city, their nation in 1997.

Watched over by the US and POW/MIA flags it greets and reminds all those who enter the local Post Office. You cannot miss it as it is just outside the main entrance.

It includes the names of many, including the 25 who fell in Vietnam.

Later a memorial to two who were lost in The Global War on Terror was added to the site.

Plantings and small American flags bring a little color to the dark stone.

Its placement struck me a little odd when I visited but the more I thought about it and the more I watched people coming and going in a seemingly never ending flow, the more I loved the placement. It might be impossible to calculate the number of those who have passed, remembered and honored the heroes whose memories are found here.

The memorial is located at 15131 Narbonne, Avenue.

Next time on the 30th, we will make our way back to Connecticut, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Arizona XXIV

Last year I was in Arizona with my family. We attended the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI in Anthem which I wrote about previously on this site.

We traveled down to Tucson for a few days just to visit.

While not always hunting for Vietnam memorials, I do keep one eye out for any I might stumble across.

While driving along Ajo Road, my sister said, "Hey, what are all those flags over there?" We tried to gain access to the site but there was no parking anywhere. I think I have written before that it often seems that our memorials are in the worst places possible. Maybe it is because in some areas the real estate markets are depressed for any number of reasons. I have been to memorials that I wondered if I would actually get out of my car the neighborhood was so bad. I guess this makes the property easier to obtain.

Well, after a while we parked, probably illegally, and walked to the site of all the flags. They were up on a raised area and we could not see what else was actually there.

Upon creating the hill we found the really nice memorial.

It turns out to be a Korean War Memorial dedicated to the several from Pima County who were lost in that endeavor.

I was happy to see this memorial as the Korean War is often referred to as The Forgotten War, so we spent some time checking it out.

Of course, I was a bit disappointed that it was not a Vietnam memorial, but as we looked around we found some interesting components.

The first was this interior wall that is painted with a variety of pictures. Among the icons and soldiers and various medals on display is this Vietnam Service Medal.

 So even here, we are not forgotten.

I am always pleased to see our sisters-in arms remembered and honored. One of the walls here has seven medallions representing various Women's veterans groups painted upon it. As I know I have said before, my one time Mother-in-law was a Womens Army Service Pilot during WWII. She and many others served bravely and heroically and waited far too many years for recognition, so It was good to see them honored here.

Next time, on the 25th, we will venture back to California, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Alabama XIV

I am a day late with this post and for that I apologize, but at John Lennon is credited with saying, "Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans."

So, live happened and I'm late and I'll try to stay on track from here on in.

Huntsville, Alabama is perhaps best known for being the home of a large NASA facility and "Space Camp," but, it also has this beautiful memorial to all her veterans.

It is located at 200 Monroe Street, NW and would be hard to miss as it is huge.

As you enter you are met by this panel and several others; reminders of the gifts veterans give their fellow citizens and our nation.

Many involvements are honored here and not the least of which is Vietnam. A brief summary of the war and many names of the lost are listed here.

A time line flows along the wall enclosing the area and water streams throughout creating a living memorial from a grateful community.

Bricks abound honoring many others. The dates are not explained and could signify any number of things. These bricks are available if you would like to honor a loved one. Contact the site at:adminperson@HMCVM.org.

Since I visited the site a number of features have been added including several statues based upon Huntsville resident veterans.

Next time, on the 20th, we will return to Arizonz, so join me then at 9:00am.

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

Washington XVIII

I have searched literally for years to discover where this memorial is located. I believed that it was in the Northwest, Washington or Oregon, maybe but could not remember exactly where I saw it.

Searching through my files was of little use as I have over 60,000 photos from this journey and I have been in the Northwest several times. If nothing else, it is clear that I should get better at filing systems!

So, I finally made the breakthrough and confirmed that it is located in Cable Bridge Park in Kennewick, Washington.

It honors 62 from the area lost or missing in 'Nam.

Impressions in the walls are of choppers and other iconic military equipment.

 So next time, on the13th, we will revisit Alabama, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Virginia XV

On a recent trip to the Charlottesville, Virginia Vietnam Memorial I stopped in Madison and found this memorial.

It is located in Courthouse Square and honors those lost in our twentieth century wars.

Five from the area who were lost in Vietnam are honored along with those from WWI, WWII, Korea, and Iraqi Freedom.

Called the Fallen Warriors Monument it is indeed a fitting honor and remembrance.

Dedicated on May 27th, 1990 it may be found with other memorials at Church and Main Streets.

Next time, on the 9th, we will revisit Washington, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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