Memorial Day 2019

I had planned to move on to Massachusetts today, but over the Memorial Day weekend I discovered something in my own community of which I had been unaware.

The Rotary Club in nearby Gaithersburg sponsors a display of 750 American flags on the lawn of Bohrer Park. I learned of it at the VA's Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) when I arrived for an appointment. The receptionist were discussing how beautiful it was and how very much they liked it.

I drove down and discovered that the Rotary with the help of some Boy Scouts, were still in the process of setting up and attaching tags to the individual flags.

The flags may be dedicated to anyone the donor considers a "hero" and I saw tags naming local community activists, solders living and not, including living and lost from Vietnam, and many others that were not specifically stated, listing only a name of a "hero" and the name of the person honoring them.

This is one of Rotary's largest fund raisers and as you may know Rotary is dedicated to the well being of children, families, and communities, so it seems like a good thing to me.

 Next time, on June 4th, we will revisit Massachusetts, so, join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see other Vietnam Memorials from around the country, please click upon a state name on the left side of this page.

Maryland XVI

We have been in Gaithersburg, Maryland before, in fact, on this very street. West Deer Park Road is the home to memorial to William Christman III that we visited quite some time ago. However, just a few feet away is another memorial.

This one, in a copse of trees, is to all those from Gaithersburg who sacrificed all in Vietnam.

Extremely reminiscent of the standing stones you see in Ireland and other countrys, it pays honor and respect to these soldiers. I often say that I love all these memorials and that is the truth, but, this one is personal to me, I live not far from here and I know some of these names. An interesting note is that one of these guys is not from Gaithersburg, but the next town up the road, Germantown. I have been unable to find any information as to why he is included here. If you know, I would certainly love to hear the story! You, my readers, have on many occasions provided me with updates and better information, hope someone can this time, too.

On September 11th, I will post another of the many 9/11 memorials I have found in my travels, as is my custom. So, join me here on the 11th at 9:00am.

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

Maryland VII

In a small residential park in Gaithersburg, MD is this dignified and somber remembrance of a local man who turned out to be a hero.

William Christman was a second Lieutenant in the Marines and his groups' mission was to take out a bunker complex near the Ashau Valley.

The mission was accomplished but with significant loss. 10 were killed and 61 more were wounded. 105 North Vietnamese Regulars were killed.

For his actions, leadership, and bravery Lt Christman was awarded the Navy Cross

Gaithersburg sacrificed several others of her sons and nearby this memorial is another honoring them all. I will post about that one in the near future.

Here is the text of the citation as shown upon the plaque.

"For extraordinary heroism while serving as a platoon commander with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, Third Marine Division, in connection with operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. Early on the afternoon of 22 February 1969, Company A was patrolling north of the Ashau Valley in Quang Tri Province when its lead element was pinned down by intense fire from a large North Vietnamese Army force, well concealed in a heavily fortified bunker complex. Reacting instantly, Second Lieutenant Christman deployed his platoon to the right flank of the lead platoon and skillfully manoeuvered his men forward in a coordinated attack until halted and pinned down by the extremely heavy volume of cross fire from the North Vietnamese emplacements and numerous sniper positions in trees. He directed the fire of his machine guns and light antitank weapons against the North Vietnamese emplacements and mounted such an aggressive assault that his platoon moved through the forward enemy positions. Undaunted by the enemy rounds impacting around him, he fired his light antitank assault weapon, and fearlessly charging across the fire-swept terrain, hurled hand grenades into a hostile emplacement, killing seven North Vietnamese soldiers and silencing their machine guns. Coming under fire from an adjacent bunker, he was mortally wounded while attempting to fire his light antitank assault weapon against the emplacement. With his remaining strength, he resolutely propped himself up on one arm to direct his men in outflanking and destroying the enemy bunker. His heroic actions inspired his men to such aggressive action in a coordinated company attack that 105 North Vietnamese soldiers were killed and a large bunker complex was destroyed. By his courage, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Second Lieutenant Christman upheld the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

Christman Park is located on W. Deer Park Road between Brighton Drive and Sunnyside Court. Next time, on the 20th, we will return to Massachusetts, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am

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

Maryland 4

Also in Montgomery County, Md is Cristman Park. Located off Rte. 355 in Gaithersburg, the park is in a small community setting. There is a large rock with a plaque telling the story of how Lt. Cristman lost his life in 1965, trying to save his men.

In addition, there is a large, tall, monolithic, rough cut stone, with a plaque inscribed with the names of the eight from Gaithersburg who made the ultimate sacrifice.