Connecticut XX

There is an interesting story about how the Connecticut Vietnam memorial came to be. One woman's determination eventually led to the honor of many. Take a moment and read about it here.

Connecticut Vietnam memorial, Coventry

Today, I will honor a few from Connecticut: 

Gerald Lee Bourdeau

PFC Gerald Bourdeau was lost in Tay Ninh Province on November 6th, 1966, to "small arms fire." He was on a Search and Destroy mission when unseen enemy opened up with machine gun fire. It was so dark that night that it was nearly impossible to return fire as the solders could not determine exactly where the enemy was located. Six others were lost on this mission.

Robert Jonh Leska

SGT Robert Leska was lost on May 5, 1968, in Binh Dinh Province to "burns" received from a surprise rocket attack. He was awarded a bronze Star for "Meritorious Service."

Stephen Grady Peck

SP4 Stephen Peck was lost on March 6, 1967, in the Binh Dinh Province to "small arms fire." He was a Forward Observer, an extremely dangerous job, and was lost on a mission as were so many FOs. Several others were also lost on this mission on this day

These three were all from Trumball, Connecticut.

Next time, on August 21st, we will return to Delaware, so join me, as always, at 9 am.

If you have been 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 (now three times!) 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 from where you have traveled. I even got one from Ireland!

These generous submissions have help to expand the knowledge of how we remember and honor the men and women who served in or were lost in Vietnam.

If YOU have any such photos or knowledge about these memorials and sites not already here, I would love to know of them. Please send them along to the email address on the left side of this page and I will gladly share them here.

I hope seeing all these listed here will encourage YOU to send along photos and join the group!