New York XXXI

We have visited Eisenhower Park a couple of times in the past and like so many of these larger sites I keep finding new things to share. You can see some of those past visits here, and here.

We so often speak of The Vietnam war or just 'Nam and it easy to forget, or at least, not mention Laos and Cambodia. Places that for such a long time we denied even being in. Eventually the truth won out, as it usually will, but we still don't speak too often of these involvements.

338 Americans were killed in Cambodia and 1525 were wounded, 12 MIA.

638 Vietnamese allies were killed and 3,009 wounded, 35 MIA.

 

 

American carpet bombing is estimated to have killed between 50 and 150 thousand, most believing that the number is at the higher side of this estimate.

 

728 Americans killed in Laos, mostly, but not entirely, CIA. 

I was unable to find additional information about Laos. Much information seems to be still secret.

Next time, on the 16th, we will return to North Carolina, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00 am.

To see additional memorials from New York, or any other state, please click a state name on the left side of this page. Please note that Canada, Ireland, and Puerto Rico have been added to the list.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Joan from Wisconsin, Tony from Texas, Mike from Maryland, Ron from Florida, Tim from Virginia and Molly from Florida have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. I even got one from Ireland! These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served or were lost in 'Nam and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here. Thanks, once again, to all who have contributed.

California XLII

In 2015 I visited Fresno, California to see the tribute to thousands and thousands of Lao Hmong people who gave their lives supporting our troops in 'Nam.

At that time, I do not think that i was taking "portraits" of the few statues I actually came across in my travels. I don't actually recall, but whatever, I did not do it at this site.

I have made an attempt to pull these faces out of this memorial to share in my ongoing, subgroup, Faces of Remembrance series. I hope you will grant me some allowances as these pictures are not always of the quality I strive to achieve in my photography. BTW, you can see the original post from Fresno here.

These two Hmong warriors are attempting to save this downed American pilot.

 Fresno is home to one of the largest Hmong populations in the world. 

The memorial rests in Court House Park, outside the Fresno County Courthouse on Van Ness Avenue. You can read more about these brave friends and allies here.

Next time, on the 8th, we will return to Colorado, so meet me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

Utah VII Faces of Remembrance

As you know, I have visited all 50 states on this journey, some more than others and I must say that I might have spent the least time in Utah. Something I need to remedy as soon as I can get out of this Coronovirus quarantine and back on the road. Hard to say when that might happen.

Today, I was looking through my files and came upon these faces from Utah and in keeping with the Faces of Remembrance subgroup of this effort, I thought I would honor them.

This first picture is from the state memorial in Salt Lake City on the capitol grounds. This memorial which is dedicated to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia is the only one that I have seen that mentions these two additional sites. Places we were said to have never been, for all too long.

These next two are from The Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City, and it pays tribute to the Americans and the Vietnamese who so often fought side by side.

West Valley City is only about 10 miles from Salt Lake City, so, an easy visit.

Next time, on the 19th, we will return to Virginia, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Arlington National Cemetery

I know that I promised to post from Nebraska this time, but I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery this week and thought that I would  extend the Memorial Day posting. I will get back on track with Nebraska, next time.

While wandering through Arlington, I came across these next two scenes and, simply, liked them. The peace and beauty of this place can be beyond description.

This is the Air force Memorial. It is a depiction of the Missing Man Formation which famously honors flyers who have been lost.

This view is nearby and struck me because the rows and rows of markers are so often in straight, military lines. the curves of these seemed particularly beautiful.

I  had hoped to find every stone honored with a flag. These are placed every year in honor of Memorial Day. However, even though I was there with in a day or two, they were completely gone. Except of this one, I don't know if it was missed in the pick-up or was placed after the pick-up by a loved one.

The surprise of the day (there always is one) was finding, standing among individual markers from WWI and WWII, these markers. They honor the crews of lost aircraft from the Vietnam War. In general they contain the remains of those who were lost but were unable to be individually identified. There are exceptions, we found at least one grave marked to one of the individuals listed in the group. This seems completely appropriate. If one can be identified then they should be entombed in their own site, but also honored on the larger marked with their lost comrades.

I think the war is often thought of being fought primarily by the Army and the Marines and it is good to remember that all the services participated and lost members. The two above markers are to Navy and Air  Force flyers. Just by chance both of these were lost in Laos, a place that for many years, we denied being.

So, that will do it for Memorial Day for this year, as promised last time, we will move on to Nebraska on the 4th of June, as usual at 9:00am. Join me then.

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