North Carolina XVI

A few years back, Steve and I attended a Welcome Home in Fayetteville, the home of fort Bragg and the Green Berets.

It was quite an event and I have posted about it before on this site, but I remembered recently that there was a an adjacent area with several memorials within it. I looked up this one tonight.

Called the Freedom Memorial, this is one of the remembrances dedicated to Vietnam and our lost brothers and sisters.

 Many names from Fayetteville and other areas are honored here.

Some detail from the etched scenes, naturally you would expect to see an image of a Green Beret in their hometown.

As always, I was happy to find these pics from the place where I did my basic training all those years ago, 1966.

Next time, we will take another look at Oregon, so meet me there at 9:00am on June, 14.

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

North Carolina IX

North Carolina has always held a special place in my heart. My ancestors settled there when they were forced out of Scotland. There is even a school not too very far from Fayetteville named after a long gone relative. I, also, did my Basic Training at Fort Bragg and I still have beloved cousins who live not too far away. So, I enjoy visiting and have taken advantage of all this to visit many times.

To continue from the last post (scroll back one if you missed it) visitors to The Wall, in D.C. have left warehouses full of mementos, personal items, pictures, medals, uniform pieces and a myriad of other items. So, too, here in Fayetteville. Now, this Wall's visit was very short and yet I discovered several things that were left by a loved one. It fascinates me that for some of us, the war was 50 years ago and yet there is still a need to make these contacts and connections. Still a need to find some reason, solace and perhaps, a little peace. I hope those that left these found a little of what they were seeking.

Each of these many flags was dedicated to a particular soldier. The soldier's name and that of the donor were prominently displayed on each flag.

This one boasted a poem written by a loved one to the one lost.

A simple unit patch. People leave what they have.

Others have much more. This looks like the "year book" we got leaving Basic Training and some photos probably from 'Nam.

Our next visit will be in Pennsylvania, so join me there, on the 6th, as always at 9:00am.

To see other memorials from North Carolina, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.

North Carolina VIII

A couple of years ago, my friend Steve and I traveled to Fayetteville, North Carolina to participate in and photograph a Vietnam Welcome Home event and over the next two posts I want to share some of what we saw and were part of in N.C.

The predominant feature was the large scale model of The Wall. Set in an open field with a sea of small flags in the front of it, it was , just like the one in D.C. visited, touched, photographed and wept at, by the many, many who came to visit. I do not know the total number of visitors, but I do know that they planned for a certain number of Vietnam vets and that they were way off in the estimations. Each Vietnam vet was given a challenge coin and several other items and mementos and when Steve and I registered we were told they were long gone. They promised to forward then when more copies were received and I am happy to say, they did so.

 Here is a slightly different view of this great presentation of The Wall.

I managed to catch this Docent helping a vet find a name. It is one of my favorite pictures

A grim reminder of what so many suffered was strategically placed in the middle of the flags. In a different building, not too far away, was a more detailed display and information on those held captive. I will post about that some time in the future.

This final picture shows the universal appeal of The Wall as a woman makes a rubbing of a name. I did not interrupt her or ask whom this might have been, these moments are just too personal.

I did think the little girl peeping out from behind her Mom was just too cute.

The rubbings that people make are an ongoing tribute to lost loved ones. So, too, are the many things that get left behind. There are buildings full of these offerings around the D.C. area full of the pieces of peoples lives that they choose to leave behind with their loved one at The Wall in D.C. and next time, on the 1st of April, I will share some of what was left at this brief visit of The Wall in North Carolina. So, as always, join me on the 1st at 9:00am.

To see other memorials from North Carolina, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.

Nebraska II

The Veterans Memorial Garden within Antelope Park in Lincoln contains a number of other memorials. Most, not surprisingly, are not Vietnam. Here are a couple that are and a few I thought were interesting.

There was no explanation as to why this separately marked stone was here, but its simplicity is elegant.

A tribute to POW/MIAs stands nearby.

In another part of the park, this solemn remembrance of those who were POW's reminds us that we must never forget their service and immeasurable sacrifice.

I am sure there are others, perhaps at Fort Bragg (although I didn't see one when I visited) but this is the first I have photographed. It is showing some signs of wear, I hope there are plans to keep this one and all of them in the park, in good condition.

The plaque on the base of the  memorial.

I have written before about my former Mother-in-Law having been a W.A.S.P. and the contribution that she and he brave friends made to the WWII effort. This  site is not about WWII but I never want to miss an opportunity to pay homage to these brave, groundbreaking women without whom WWII may have dragged on longer or perhaps even had a different outcome.

Next time, on the 22nd, we will visit Kearney whee a small memorial remembers and honors those from the areas lost to the war. Join me, as always, at 9:00am.