Oklahoma VIII

 
Once the Oklahoma Vietnam Memorial this site is still striking. While several wars are commemorated here, The Big Guy, a Nam vet, still watches over them all.

He continues to peer over at the Capitol building in constant reminder of the consequences of decisions made by our leaders: the decisions we pay the price for.

Oklahoma representatives moved the "official" site to Enid after the town purchased a retired Traveling Wall, but, the Big Guy doesn't care. He just stands sentry.

In keeping with my effort to single out faces, to see what the sculptors were trying to say, he is the next in The Faces of Remembrance series of posts. I see fatigue mixed with sadness.

I found this face on the Bas Relief of a scene of a Huey dropping off troops to face whatever comes next. He seems watchful above all else to me.

Another from the Bas Relief. Resignation? Grief?

Next time, on the 24th, we'll have another look in Pennsylvania, so meet me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Oklahoma IV

I visited my cousin, Dan, in Enid while visiting Oklahoma. He told me about and took me to the local Veteran's Memorial. Located at the Woodring Regional Airport, it consists of a number of walls engraved with he names of the many who have served in our conflicts.

It includes a number of artifacts from various wars including a F-4C Phantom from 'Nam, a POW/MIA remembrance and "nose art" from WWII.

Note the nose of the Phantom on the left

While not specifically a Vietnam Memorial at the time, all of that is changing. As I write these words on March 14th, 2013, groundbreaking is taking place to permanently display and 4/5 size replica of The Wall.

Once again, after a visit from one of the Traveling Walls, in 2010, the people in Enid wanted something permanent. A retiring "Traveler" was purchased and will be dedicated on next Memorial Day, May 27th.

The "ol' soldier" as it has been called traveled the country for seven years and will now rest forever in Enid. Escorted by a number of bikers, many vets, The Wall arrived in Enid recently to await its installation at its new home. Among the 58,000 plus names on it are 16 from the Enid.

I read today that the state legislature in resolution SJR 4 has officially designated the park with The Wall, The Official Oklahoma Vietnam Memorial. I don't know how "The Big Guy" in Oklahoma City feels about that, but I expect the folks in Enid are very proud, as they should be!

 I hope at some point to get back to Enid to rephotograph the memorial. If you get there, it may be found at 1026 S.66th.

Next time, we will visit a small memorial in Hulbert which was flooding as I entered the area. So, join me on the 23rd for this very quick stop!