2020 Holiday Season III New Years eve.

I think it is safe to say that the overwhelming majority of us will be glad to see 2020 go into the books. Not that much will change for a while until the vaccine is widely distributed and the intelligent among us take advantage of it.

Enough of that for now. In this final installment of this years non memorial photos, I think I will share a few more from beautiful Hawai'i.

These, like the last ones, will need little or no comment, so just enjoy, and hope that the New Year is an improvement.

This is the Pulmeria and is the flower very often seen in Leis, here growing wild.

This, I think, is another of the Bromeliads, whatever it is , it is just spectacular.

Came across this beauty while walking towards Turtle Beach, no idea what it might be.

And has become my pattern through this short series, I will end with another sunset. this one was taken from a rooftop restaurant on Waikiki Beach.

Next time, on the 5th, we will return to Vietnam memorials. I am experiencing a series of failures on my computer system so it remains to be seen exactly what will be available to me from my files. 

So, check back at 9:00am on the 5th to see what came of this, I am sure I will be able to get something functioning by then.

Happy New Year to all!

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

2020 Holiday Season II

Well, it is the day after Christmas and it is cold with snow from the last fall. Its got me thinking of warmer climates and that makes me think of Hawai'i, since we were just in Arizona!

Here are some pics of some of the flora local to the island of Oahu.

This is some kind of Bromeliad, I think. It is just trying to bloom, if you look closely you can see the tiny flowers beginning to open.

Judging from the look of the leaves, I'd guess that this, too, is of the same family, but I have never seen anything like it.

No idea at all but, no less beautiful.

Here is one I have seen before, called bird of Paradise among other names it is available in many areas.

I'll end with another sunset. This was taken on Waikiki Beach, just happened to be there at the right time.

Speaking of time, next time will be New Years Eve, so check back if you get a moment for the last of my holiday, non memorial posts. After the 31st we will return to honoring our brothers and sisters, most especially those who are not able to enjoy this season with us, their, friends, their families.

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

2020 Holiday Season

As many of you will know I take some time off from memorials during the holiday season. It gives me a break from always thinking about memorials and a chance to feature other, more light hearted photos.

Some will also know that I am captivated by the American southwest, the enormity, the beauty, and diversity never fail to capture my imagination and my heart.

Everyone is familiar with the iconic Saguaro cactus that blankets the Sonoran Desert but there is much other beauty to be found and enjoyed in the desert and I will share a couple of pics of some of these with you today.

This is one of several types of Aloe found in the Sonoran Desert which lies in Arizona, Mexico, and California. These photos are all from the general Tucson area.

While the focus is not quite perfect here, a beautiful flower is, well, just beautiful. These are found all across the area.

Another desert floor beauty.

Yucca growing along the side of the road.

Barrel cactus getting ready to bloom.   

And finally, the southwest is famous for its sunsets and this a shot out my hotel window, so some reflection, etc., but I await shots like this every time I am in the southwest and never tire of seeing and capturing them. 

Happy holidays to all!

So, next time, on the 26th, come on back for something else a bit different, as always, at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click the state name on the let side of this page.

New York XXIV

I happened into Port Jervis, New York after a PBS radio interview about this Vietnam Memorial project. It happened to be a day of come celebration as there was a soap box derby race and other festivities taking place. All really hometown and great fun, except, perhaps, for finding a parking space.

The Veterans Memorial Park is located directly in front of the church for which Stephen Crane's father was the pastor and within the park is a memorial to those lost in the Civil War. Crane lived in Port Jervis for a time.

 

Veterans Memorial Park.

 

Within the park there is also a Vietnam memorial. Consisting of two separate pieces it joins memorials to many other wars including the Revolutionary War which is the most recent placement. 

This piece lists the local men who served and highlights with a star the one who was lost.

The second piece is catalogues history. When I first saw it several soap box derby racers were parked directly behind it.

We now know that these numbers have been corrected through an audit by DoD and The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, but these are very close to being accurate. I especially like to see that they have included the correct years, most memorials and many people don't, choosing to use the more widely accepted, though incorrect, 1959 to '75 or, often, the years that reflect when the first soldier from a given site was lost. I have even seen as late as 1978 as the end of the war. So, again, good job to those who created this marker.

As many of you know, I take a week or two off from writing about memorials at the holiday season, so come back on the 21st to see different pics from different places. Could be Alaska or the southwest desert, or some other unusual site. Join me then at 9:00am, as always for something different.

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

New Mexico XIX

One of the most interesting things I have found in my travels in New Mexico is the Acoma Pueblo, aka Sky City. Located about 40 miles west of Albuquerque, it is a city located atop a mesa, 367 feet above the flatland. Until the 1950's the only way up was by use of  hand holes set in a pattern known only to the inhabitants. A movie company wanted to film there and part of the deal was they had to build a road. I could go on for pages about this unique place.

When I first visited, many years ago, you had to wait in what was little more than a shack to ride up the twisty road to visit the city. Over the years the tribe has built a magnificent welcoming center and museum and the bus, if not the road, as improved greatly.

 On a visit a few years back I was thrilled to see that they had built a veterans memorial in the courtyard behind the museum. It honors those from the tribe lost in several wars. One of these was lost in Vietnam.

The Pueblo is rich in history and I recommend a visit if you are ever in the area. there are guided tours given by the residents most of whom have moved to the "low lands" to farm, but there are 14 families that live atop full time. they make, and offer for sale, many truly authentic handmade items. Well worth the visit.

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

Next time, on the 16th, we will return to New York, so join me there at 9:00am.

New Jersey XIX

The memorial here is another of those with mixed information. It rests along the Cooper river in New Jersey in what I have seen called Memorial Grove.the confusion arises from where exactly this is. on some sites it is said ti be in Cherry Hill and on others, Pennsauken. Either way, they are not far apart from each other, so just get to Park Street and you will find it there among other memorials to the Holocaust and other sites.

I was on my way to the Vietnam memorial at the entrance to Veterans Island when I came across it. I am always happy to come across sites that i was unaware of. The Island was blocked off the day I was there and as I posted at the time it was horrible day, windy, cold, raining like hell, so I guess it was just as well. As posted elsewhere on this site , I did find the Vietnam memorial just outside the entrance to the Island and was able to get some pics, seen elsewhere here.

Standing alone, no signage of plaques of explanation, it honors those from a number of wars.

No names, but perhaps this is enough, no words necessary.

Next time, on the 11th, we will revisit New Mexico, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Massachusetts XIX

This site is one of the most perplexing I have seen. It sits in a fairly open area but there are no signs or other identifying components. I can't even say where it is except that it is in Massachusetts.

 

I was simply traveling around the state when I came across it.

I have searched through my resources and can find nothing.

 

The plaques around the pedestal are the seals of the separate Armed Services but give no additional information.

So, as I have so often in the past, I will turn to you and ask if you know anything about this place? You'd be surprised, I think, to know just how often this plea for help has worked in the past, so I am hopeful I will hear from someone. I will update here If I do.

Next time, on December 6th, we will return to New Jersey, so join me there at 9:00am.

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