California III

There last few shots highlight some of the remaining components of the site. As promised earlier, the first and second shots are of the dedication plaque and statue. The plaque below the statue gives some info on each of the elements within the memorial.

The third shot is of a map of Vietnam. It is pretty detailed with names of many familiar places. A compass rose is located nearby.

The fourth pic is of a plaque placed above the map reminding us of the most infamous of the prison camps in 'Nam and what these heroes withstood.

The last pic is of a fairly well known poem by Maj. Michael O'Donnell included here so that we might always remember.


"Take what they have left you
and what they have taught you
with their dying
and keep it with your own

And in that time when men decide
and feel safe
to call the war insane

Take one moment to embrace
those gentle heroes
You left behind"

It seems fitting to me that the California memorial should be grand. California lost more of her sons and daughters to this effort than any other state; 5822 lost or missing.

New Hampshirw VIII

On the way back to Manchester Airport, we passed this small memorial site. I took some pics and we headed home. I either never noted what town we were in or have completely forgotten. I figured this site was lost to me as I had no info to give on it. I spent hours trying to track it down on the net and even retracing my route on Google maps, hoping to find it from their photos. Nothing. I asked friends in New Hampshire and they were unable to pinpoint it for me.

Then, I realized that there was a name of a company on one of the benches. I looked up the name and discovered that it was a company in Massachusetts. I wrote them with very little hope of anyone there being able to help or that they would even respond. Well, within 10 minutes of my email, someone from the company called me. He explained that the memorial was in a town called Enfield. He said that the CEO of the company was from Enfield and wanted to do something. He designed the site and the company helped to pay for it. So, I went from believing that I would never find the info I needed to having a complete story in 15 minutes! Amazing! This journey I am on never ceases to astound me. The story just seems to unfold and I get to be the guy to tell it!

Next, I am going to move on from New Hampshire and pick up across country in California. You may recall the post about Tom Schomberg's memorial in Denver (July/Aug 2011) that lead to Ireland and back. I want to fill in some additional information in that story. So, join me next in The Golden State on November 9th as always, at 9am.

New Hampshire VII (Update)

After a little more research I have discovered that two from Franklin were lost. SP5 David B. Perraualt and SSG. Joseph Andrew Rayno. So, sadly, perhaps my original observation is correct. If no one from a particular town was lost, then no memorials are built. If you know otherwise, please let me know.

New Hampshire VII

In Franklin, we found across this small park on a corner. Located at the intersection of Central Street and Main Street, its dignity is evident and appropriate. There are no names listed here, so, one hopes that none of her sons and daughters were lost to Franklin.

I think that it is great that a town honors all who served. It does seem that if no one was lost, often there is no memorial of any kind. So, to find one like this is especially nice.

New Hampshire III

While we were visiting Boscawen we noticed a guy walking in with a bugle in his hand. We got talking to him and it turns out that every night from Memorial Day to September 11th someone comes and plays Taps at the cemetery. This has become a tradition at the site and these musicians, all volunteers, sometimes travel a great distance to do their part. The gentleman we spoke to drives 50 miles each way just to play 24 notes at 7p.m.

These volunteers are young and old, male and female, vets and non vets, but all want to be part of this solemn tribute to New Hampshire's, and by extension, our nation's lost heroes. Steve and I and two other visitors were the only ones present as the instantly recognizable melody floated over this sacred and beautiful place. He told us that sometimes dozens of bulers play at the same time, some echoing the others. That must be a very emotional moment and I doubt that here is a dry eye in the place.

Interestingly, Memorial Day to 9/11 is 100 days and thus the people involved in this tribute call themselves "100 Nights of Remembrance" You can find out more about them here;

http://www.100nightsofremembrance.org/

The bench, donated by the organization, actually has the correct musical notation for Taps!

If you look in the background of the pictures, up on the hill, you can see stone pillars (for lack of a better word) in front of the mousoleums. Each of these has a photo and information about American involvement in a number of wars. The last photo is of the one that gives a little history about Vietnam. This is currently the last in the series. I do not know when, or if, they might be adding more about our more current involvements.

New Hampshire II

The memorial grove, as I call it, at Boscawen features a number of other memorials. They may not be specifically Vietnam related but they are fitting and beautiful. The following photos are of just a few of these.

The first picture is of the Navy memorial asking for remembrance of those sailors who have died in service to our country. I was recently in California and visited the magnificent Navy Vietnam Memorial in Coronado, near San Diego. It, too, is quite remarkable and I will write more about it when I begin relating my travels in the Golden State. I expect to be writing about California in the not too distant future.

The second and third photo here depict the Ex-Prisoners of War Memorial. I have never actually seen one before. It is in a serene little spot with benches for quite reflection. It was quite moving.

The next one is one of two from Rolling Thunder. Most know of their ongoing tribute and honor to vets, but I wonder how many know that their name comes from the B-52 b0ombing missions in "Nam. These were referred to as rolling thunder and could be heard and felt many miles away. The sound of dozens (or hundreds) of Harleys or other big bikes is reminiscent of this, so hence the name.

The final picture is of the Air Force memorial. It is a replica of the one in Arlington, Va. Situated on the grounds of Ft. Myer, the three spires recall soaring and one of the maneuvers of the Air Force Thunderbirds flying team. Here, as well as, in Arlington, the memorial leaves one spot open for the "missing man" as is the custom at flyovers at funerals.

You can find much more info about the Air Force Memorial here;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Memorial

Colorado XI

Just a few more shots of interest from the Western Slope Memorial.

The first shot is of the Vietnam Service ribbon near the chopper.

The next is a donation from the Vietnam Vets Motorcycle club.

The next one is of a time capsule that is to be opened in the future.

The last one brought home a number of memories for me. I carried one of these ammo boxes with me every time we were on the water. If I have not mentioned it before, I was a boat operator and spent a lot of time running up and down the Mekong river. These were claimed to be waterproof, so I carried anything I needed to keep dry in one I picked up somewhere in my travels. When mustering out of 'Nam, it was confiscated by the Army, so I lost it. So, to see this one here was kind of cool, someone got one out!!

I think this post will do it for now from Colorado. Time to move on. I will post a few more from Colorado at some future date, so keep checking back for them.

Next, I will be in New England, again, so join me on the 26th for something new.

Colorado X

I have been following the development of the Western Slope Memorial, on line, for quite some time. I was determined to see it when I got to Colorado, so I was very excited as we pulled into the parking lot of the Visitors Center in Fruita (near Grand Junction).

The weather chose not to cooperate just as we arrived. We had very little time to visit and take pictures, but wind, rain and thunder and lightning not withstanding, it was worth it!

What a great place! This is another of those sites that is going to take at least two posts to do justice.

What began as a brothers tribute to his brother has developed into this magnificent tribute to all. It is a treasure and you should see it if you get an opportunity.

Two buddies joined up together. Two buddies gave their all! One was killed (1971) after 100's of flying missions and the other brought him home to Colorado and his family.

His brother thought for years about building a memorial to him and The Western Slope Vietnam Memorial is the culmination of that dream.

The site, however, as I said, is more than that. It honors anyone who served during the Vietnam Era, as it is called, in-country or out-Everyone! Anyone who qualifies can contact the site and arrange for their name, or the name of a loved one to be added to the black granite walls supporting the Huey.

Those who made the final sacrifice are honored under the American flag as shown in the final picture.

The walkways (fourth pic), called the Walk of Honor, are for anyone who would like to support the effort.

I have read that the site offers music and narration to visitors, but it was not working the day I was there.

The friend who brought his buddy home was killed a number of years later (1986) in a flying accident. Ironic!

To learn more, or honor a soldier, or donate to support the site, go here;

http://www.field-of-dreams.org/

To read more about the friend, go here;

http://www.field-of-dreams.org/MarshallDavis.html

Colorado III

Between Denver and Pueblo lies Colorado Springs. As it is the home of the Airforce Academy and Fort Carson is near by, it is no surprise that vets are well remembered by the city.

Prospect Park, a huge public area in the city, is the home of 17 memorials to vets. Several of these are to 'Nam vets.

Today, I will focus on the main memorial dedicated to all veterans and the one to the 619 Coloradans who perished in Vietnam.

The first picture is of the main memorial in the park. It dominates the skyline from every direction as it sits on the highest point in the city.

The next two pictures are of the Vietnam memorial and the plaque noting the time capsule on site.

The last photo is of the date on the main memorial. 1968 makes it one of the very first. I have had a lot of people on my journeys, claim to be the first. I find that, often, they are mistaken. Perhaps that will be a project for the future; trying to determine where the very first memorial to Vietnam vets is actually located and when it was erected!

The post that follows this one will honor Forward Air Controllers and POW's.