Nebraska III

I wanted to go to Kearney because I so fondly remember my former Father-in-Law talking about growing up on a farm there. I still laugh that he will not eat sausage, to this day, so far as I know, because he had to make it as a kid. He used to say "I know what goes in it!"

So, I was pleased to learn that Kearney has a Vietnam Memorial. It is across the street from the High School and I wonder if that was chance or, perhaps, intentional. The old always send the young to die.

Located in Apollo Park, along with a Korean War Memorial, it honors four young men from the area who were lost in 'Nam. Interestingly, the site in Lincoln claims 405 lost from Nebraska, but several sites, including the Virtual Wall site, still claim and list 395, so it is possible that they may be more from Kearney. There are no names listed here and the site specifically pays tribute not only to the lost but to all who served.

I read an article that said that the Traveling Wall visited Kearney in 2011, 25 years after its first visit. 18,000 people visited this time and one was quoted as saying he hopes it doesn't take "another 25 years..." before it returns. I wonder who will be interested 25 years from now? Most, if not all of us will be gone by then and whom will tell our story then? I hope that this site will add a little to the knowledge that accumulated about the war, those who fought it and most importantly those remembered and honored by these sites.

This is one of those rare sites that actually has an address and it can be found at 3300 6th street, Kearney.

Next time, a special Memorial Day posting. So, as always, join me at 9:00am on the 27th of May. Nebraska will continue, in Omaha, on June1st following this special remembrance.

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.