Florida XXIII

This memorial is interesting because it is chrome which makes it really stand out in the Florida sun, but very hard to photograph for the same reason.

It is located at a VFW in Melbourne although there seemed to be no one there when Steve and I visited.

 

 

A simple plaque embedded in stone speaks to the sacrifice of these men and the importance of their efforts.

 

"IF WE BELIEVE IN OUR WAY OF LIFE THEN THE VOICES OF ALL FREE MEN WILL RESOUND ACROSS THE NATION AND MEN WILL LISTEN."

 

The attached plaque.

 

 

"For Those Who Fought For It, Freedom Has A Flavor The Protected Will Never Taste"

 

Near by on its separate stanchion is the following.

 

The VFW is on Dairy Road in Melbourne. 

Next time on the 3rd of August we will revisit Indiana, so join me there at 9:00am.

 

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

Delaware XVII

About 5 miles southwest of Wilmington, Delaware is Newport and I had heard or read that there was a memorial there. So, on a recent trip to the area I decided to check it out.

As luck would have it when it came to writing about it, I could find absolutely nothing. I had my pics, but no information.

Not one to give up easily, I searched and searched my various sites to gather some information. Nothing. So, I began to wonder how it was that I even knew to go see it? I could not find a trace of it in my notes etc., but the info had to be somewhere.

Happily, in stumbling around the internet I was able to discover that it was originally a Pearl Harbor Memorial.

Note that the weapon is sinking to the left.

 

Dedicated on December 7th, 2014 it includes a number of markers to a number of our Nation's wars.

 Vietnam is among them.

I found it interesting that the dates and the numbers seem to date from The Gulf of Tonkin era. This is not too uncommon although I am never sure why this happens. We had had soldiers in 'Nam for nine years by 1964, the first of which was killed in 1956 and the final total of those lost is 58, 279.

 I have written before about what sometimes seems to be an effort to rewrite history, often, it seems, to blame Kennedy or Johnson for our involvement in Vietnam. I could be very wrong but it often feels as if there is a political agenda behind these efforts. As I said, I could be wrong, I hope so.

This memorial may be found at the intersection of E. Market Street and S. Augustin Street in Newport.

Next time, on the 29th, we will return to Florida, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Colorado XXXI

While just driving around Colorado near Denver I passed a military cemetery.

 

Sometimes these have wonderful memorials like at Arlington, Va or Riverside, California, so I took a chance and stopped in to see if I might find something.

 

Military cemeteries are always beautiful, well kept, orderly, dignified and that is what I found here.

 

Oddly, I parked in an area where there was no sign, no name, no identification at all: just endless headstones. I was able to track down the name: Fort Logan National Cemetery.

These are a few of the memorials here among the many.

I was able to find a few markers that honor those who served or were lost in Vietnam.

It is interesting to me that the only marker that can be read in the above photo is of someone who served in several wars including Vietnam.

 

 

A beautiful place indeed to lie among your 96,000 brothers and sisters.

R.I.P.

Next time, on the 24th, we will revisit Delaware, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

California XXXV

When traveling northwest from Los Angeles to Oxnard, as I have often done, you pass through the town of Camarillo. I have found a couple of small memorials here and today I will share the one located at the Bob Kildee Community Park.

At the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center there, just under the portico, is a tribute to those from the area who made the final sacrifice.

These, those of us lost, will be remembered and honored here forever.

I could find no connection between Bob Kildee and the memorial. He was a local business man and is honored by having the park bear his name. I could find even less about why the memorial was placed at this particular location but the 15 remembered here will be seen and hopefully remembered by all those entering the aquatic center for years and years to come.

Next time, on the 19th, meet me right here while we revisit Colorado. 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.

Alaska XI

Just a quick, promised, update today.

When I last wrote about the memorial at Wasilla, Alaska, I said I had no idea how Patrick Roy, my son's brother's name came to be listed among those honored. I, also, promised to try to find out and update you here if I learned anything.

Well, I tracked down some of the folks who are responsible for the memorial and they explained that Pat's name, along with all the others lost on the USS Cole, was added at the request of one of the service organizations. So, all of the 17 lost on the Cole are remembered here along with many others both living and dead.

Reading the other names on this panel I recognize some of them as pat's shipmates, one of whom is from Wasilla. I don't know them all, but I suspect this is the full listing. Here together, as then.

Sometimes faith is restored.

Next time, on the 14th, we'll check back on California, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Independence Day 2021

The following is a repost of something I wrote in 2017. It still seems right to me as none of the facts have changed.

Enjoy! Happy Independence Day to all!

The Independence Day celebration is always a bit of a mixed bag for me.

I remember as a kid how much it meant to me and my anticipation and worry about if my folks would take me somewhere to see fireworks? Usually, they did, but I always worried.

As an adult, it seems important to continue these traditions and to honor those that have allowed us to retain our independence. Vietnam and more recent wars  have never really seemed to be about our independence and we all know the questions, right or wrong, about whether or not we should be engaged in wars of dubious intent and outcome.

As a Grandparent, I want my grand kids to know and understand what Independence Day is all about and to enjoy their thrill at all the festivities.

As a 'Nam vet, well that is a completely different matter all together.

I hate the noise, and God, I hate the smell, and what it has all come to represent for me. So, each year I wrestle with the question of what am I going to do?

I don't want to go.

I know many vets that feel the same way.

But, the grandchildren love it, just as I did all those many summers ago, How many years will I get to treasure their joy as they grow up and away? Also, I do not ever want to pass on my anxiety, so I work to keep it masked from them.

So, today, I will swallow what I feel and take my girls to the fireworks and concert in our area and watch them laugh and thrill to it all.

And, I will hope that they are never burdened with their own memories and doubts.

I hope you all have a great day.

Jefferson statue at Williamson, Va.

OK, on a lighter note, a quiz.

When was the Declaration of Independence signed?

July 4th, right?

Well, no.

It was signed on July 2nd and sent to the printer. He didn't get around to printing it until the 4th and, hence, used that date. So, the rest as they say.....

Detail from Jefferson's writing

Next time on July 9th, we will have an update on a memorial in Wasilla, Alaska, join me then, as always, at 9:00am.

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