Maryland XLVI

 This story is kind of round about and covers several years.

A number of years ago, I met a guy who called himself "Bear," never knew his given or last name: 'Nam vet, fit the profile. 

Bear told me about a memorial in Maryland, in a place called Helen. He described where and what is was and I decided that sometime I would visit.

He told me that it wasn't very big as Helen was not a big town .

He was right and what he probably didn't know at the time was that it had been basically forgotten about. If not forgotten, then certainly neglected. It was small and almost completely covered in weeds and other wild growth. I could not read what was on the memorial.

I took a picture or two, but then, I too, just forgot about it.  There was nothing to post, no pics of any value, nothing to say: just more forgotten and ignored vets. Par for the course.

Well, now, several years later I found myself in the area once again. I decided to stop by and was astonished at how it had changed. Much for the better I am pleased to report. 

It is all cleaned up and has what appear to be new stones engraved with names of many. It obviously honors more than 'Nam vets. Maybe it always did but I could not tell the first time I was in Helen.

As is my habit, I was carrying my camera and lenses. I took any number of pics and was happy that I chanced to see it once more. 

Most of the cameras I have owned over time have informed me that there was no film, or memory card, whatever, in the camera, so I have gotten very used to just grabbing my camera and shooting pictures or being warned about the lack of storage media. Never gave it a thought.

I know you can see what is coming.

Got home, several hours and many miles later, opened the camera and NO media storage, no card, therefore, no pictures. ( I am sure there is a toggle to turn on that "No card in camera" notice and will make every effort to toggle it the next time I remember!

I will leave out what I said next.

After ensuring I had media I made a return trip to Helen (double checked the camera first) and took some pics. 

 You will see the next time I post from here the difference in the "new" stones vs. this original plaque

Next time, on the 1st of May, we will venture, again, to Massachusetts, so, 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.