Ireland IV

The last time I wrote about Ireland and her participation in the Vietnam war, I posted a picture of the memorial in Ennis, Ireland to the 30 lost Irish citizens. (Now, 32)

You can see that post here to see the full memorial.

 

I got to looking at and thinking about the images along the top of that memorial and had a hard time figuring out just what the meant or represented. 

 

Further reading and some better pictures led me to some conclusions that I freely admit are mine and may be incorrect. (I wrote to the photographer for some clarification but have not heard back from him at this time. If I do I will certainly update here,) 

There are five images on the front of the memorial and here is what I think they mean.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The first shows a man, head in his hand, in apparent despair, a feeling not unknown in Ireland.

 

 

The second shows him having made a difficult decision. Like so many millions of Irish, he is leaving his home, possibly never to return.

Next, shows his passage to a new world. 

Fourth, he arrives will many others to his new home.

Finally, he fights for his new country.

Tell me what you think!

I have written before about the Irish contributions to our various wars,

From the Revolutionary war through the present day. You can see some of that information at the above link.

Next time, on the 11th of April, I hope to have some more faces from Havana, Illinois. Join me, as always, at 9:00 am.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served and/or were lost in 'Nam and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here.

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos.