Texas XIX

Mineral Wells, Texas is the home of a vast memorial site, I posted about it once before and you can see that post here.

Today, I thought I would share a couple more features of the site.

This half scale replica of The Wall is just one of the dominate features of this site.

 

 

The iconic Huey and a the 'Nam version of the Field Cross. These were first displayed in the Civil war to make where a soldier fell.

Interestingly, it has been renamed here as a Soldiers Cross, not sure why.

A better view of perhaps the most recognizable image of the Vietnam war.

The site, known as the National Vietnam War Museum is located at 12685 Mineral Wells Highway in Weatherford, Texas.

Next time, on the 5th of March, we will return to Virginia, so meet me there,  as always, at 9:00am.

Checking on line, I was pleased to see that the museum appears to be built and open and additional features added. When I visited it consisted of a trailer that was locked. So nice going to the guys behind this effort!

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Tennesee IX

For the life of me I cannot figure out how I missed posting this site. I guess when you take literally thousands of pictures and are not that great, though I do 

try, at cataloging, it is bound to happen.

While the above probably sounds like just more whining from me, it is actually a happy thing. I am always pleased when I can find something new to share.

Located at the Coffee County Courthouse on North Spring Street the memorial shares space with WWI, WWII, and Korean War Memorials. 

 I have read that there are now additional memorials and artifacts on this site.

 

The inscription on the memorial reads as follows:

"In everlasting and honored memory of the young sons of Coffee County who gave their lives in America's most unpopular war, they died not in vain because all served honorably and faithfully and our surviving veterans carry the torch of freedom to pass on to a new generation." (italics mine)

Four names have obviously been added to the site over time bringing the total to 25. I noted with some interest that Coffee County VFW lists only 17 as lost. Not sure why. 

 

The memorial was placed here in Manchester 1985.

Next time, on the 28th, we will return to Texas, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Puerto Rico I

Completely new territory today, figuratively as well as actually.

Tim Macdonald sent me these pics from the rotunda of the capitol building in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

This soldier, one of 48,000 others from the island that served in 'Nam: one of the 340 who were lost, one of five who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

His name is Hector Santiago, he was killed in Quang Tri in 1968. the following is his citation:

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon distinguished himself at the cost of his life while serving as a gunner in the mortar platoon of Company B. While serving as a perimeter sentry, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon heard distinct movement in the heavily wooded area to his front and flanks. Immediately he alerted his fellow sentries in the area to move to their foxholes and remain alert for any enemy probing forces. From the wooded area around his position heavy enemy automatic-weapons and small-arms fire suddenly broke out, but extreme darkness rendered difficult the precise location and identification of the hostile force. Only the muzzle flashes from the enemy weapons indicated their positions. Sp4c. Santiago-Colon and the other members of his platoon immediately began to repel the attackers, utilizing hand grenades, antipersonnel mines and small-arms fire. Due to the heavy volume of enemy fire and exploding grenades around them, a North Vietnamese soldier was able to crawl, undetected, to their position. Suddenly, the enemy soldier lobbed a hand grenade into Sp4c. Santiago-Colon's foxhole. Realizing that there was no time to throw the grenade out of his position, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon retrieved the grenade, tucked it into his stomach and, turning away from his comrades, absorbed the full impact of the blast. His heroic self-sacrifice saved the lives of those who occupied the foxhole with him, and provided them with the inspiration to continue fighting until they had forced the enemy to retreat from the perimeter. By his gallantry at the cost of his life and in the highest traditions of the military service, Sp4c. Santiago-Colon has reflected great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army." 

Why he is the only one honored in the rotunda I do not know. 

So, it seems a little odd to me that there are five portraits here and that five soldiers were the recipients of the Medal of Honor. I am told that the only one of these from 'Nam is Hector Santiago. If I am wrong, I would love to know. 

You know you can reach me at the email to the left of this page.

Next time, on the 23rd, we will revisit Tennessee, so meet me there, as always at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Pennsylvania XXXIX

Behind a shopping center in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania is what has been thought to be the oldest Vietnam memorial in the country. Facts have determined that this is not quite accurate, but it is still one of the very, very earliest tributes to those who fought in the war.

Dedicated in November of 1966, the memorial seemed to be lost as it was overwhelmed by brush in what, over time, became an abandoned parking lot for a bank.

It was rediscovered and stored until a new site could be found for it. The memorial was a canon on a stone pedestal with a plaque honoring those who served. Before the re-dedication the canon was stolen.

There are several benches for rest and reflection

 

The canon was replaced, the stone pedestal rebuilt and the original plaque   reattached.

 

 

Today, it rests here, within the new shopping center where thousands must have walked past it.

 

 

Chadds Ford has much to offer anyone who might want to visit and to 'Nam vets, their families and others this must be one of the most visited and important.

 

 

The memorial may be found on Veterans Drive in the Brandywine Mills shopping center.

Next time, on the 18th, we will, for the first time, visit Puerto Rico. Join me there, as always, 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.

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Oregon XX

When I first saw this face on a memorial in Hubbard, Oregon, I thought it was to a 'Nam vet, lost or missing.

I filed it away and didn't think of it again until recently as I perused my files for something new to post. I began doing a little research and discovered that this guy not only served in 'Nam, but also in WWII and Korea and survived all three.

He retired as a Major General in the Marine Corp.

 Here is what is posted at the site.

So, he was not only a hero in the service of his country, but, also, to his family. Offering his life for one: giving it for the other.

Next time, on the 13th, we will make a return visit to Pennsylvania, so meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

 

Update: My apologies, this portrait looked much better on my end of all this!

Ohio X

Stark County Veterans Memorial is located in Canton. Like so many it honors many lost and living citizens from several wars. It may be found on Lake Road Blvd.

It sits in a beautiful setting on a lake and is a place of calm nestled in among the trees in a bustling city.

 

The lake has a small "island" with a star on it. No explanation was given.

The day Steve and I visited the sun was shining and the wind was blowing.

The memorial itself is quite simple, the usual flags and some artifacts from previous wars. There is a canon and, oddly enough, a part of the conning tower from the USS Maine seen below!

There seemed to be no artifacts from 'Nam and in fact, the only mention is on some of the paver bricks that are along the walkways.

Each service has its insignia etched upon a plain gray wall.

This memorial is just a minute from the Aultman Hospital which has a nursing school dedicated to Sharon Lane, the only one of the eight women on The Wall who was actually lost by enemy fire. She was from Canton.

Next time, on the 8th, we will return to Oregon, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!