Nebraska XIX

This could be, possibly, the shortest post I have ever written as it will contain only one photo.

While perusing my files I ran across this one lone photo and thought it was particularly interesting. Its simplicity speaks volumes.

It is located in the vast veterans memorial site in Antelope Park in Lincoln, Nebraska.

As anyone who follows along here knows, I have visited many, many memorials. I am not sure exactly why but I think this one is among the most subtle and perhaps poignant I have seen. There is just something elegant about it.

Next time, on the 9th of May we will return to New Mexico, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks

Nebraska XVIII

As is so often the case these days, I have been looking through photos in hopes of finding something interesting to share.

I happened onto some pics from the wonderful Veterans Park in Lincoln, Nebraska and came upon this memorial to dogs. If you follow me, you know that I have a particularly soft spot for dogs. I had one in 'Nam, not a military dog, just a Shepherd mix that belonged to my unit. She adopted me the day I arrived and basically never left my side. I tried to bring her home, but the plans fell through, and she remained with the unit.

It got me thinking about dogs and how they may have served the military over the years. History tells us that dogs have been used in war throughout history, so it surprised me a bit to learn that the U.S. did not "formalize" their service until 1942.

Many breeds of dogs were trained and used in different capacities, as seen on this memorial.

The glare on this polished stone makes it a little difficult to see that the three dogs are a Shepherd, a Collie and a Doberman. Each breed had its strengths and weaknesses and these three represent all the other breeds that served. 

About 4,000 dogs ended up serving in 'Nam, about 350 were killed, about 200 eventually made it home and the others were turned over the ARVN, euthanized, or simply abandoned as excess equipment.

Many troops were enraged by the abandonment and in 2,000 a law was passed that dogs would no longer be left behind.

A vet is quoted as saying that " if it weren't for these dogs there would be at least 10,000 more names on The Wall.

Here are a few of the names of dogs honored here.

Next time, on the 19th, we will revisit New Mexico, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

I will ask, as I do at the end of nearly every post now, for anyone who has pictures of Vietnam memorials not seen here to please send them to me. I will give you full photo credit for the pic and any information about it you may know. Check your state, or anywhere you may have visited, from the list at the left, or any place else. Please send them to the email at the left or directly to me at Ldddad@comcast.net. Thanks!

Memorial Day 2021

Once again we pause to remember all those who have given everything for our country.

Armed Forces Memorial, Hawai'i'
 

Some of our excursions into the politics and the soil of other countries have been more popular than others, but no one disputes the sacrifice made by so many.

 

Lincoln, Nebraska 

 

In doing some research for this post it has been shocking to see just how many involvements we have been in over our history. we all know the big ones, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American, WW1, WW2, Korea, Nam, Middle East, GWOT, but the number of what must be called lesser known is astounding. You can see a list of them taken from Wikipedia here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

Check it out you just might be amazed.

It is estimated that nearly 1.4 million Americans have been lost in these efforts and today we remember them all.

                                                Virginia Beach, Virginia 

This effort of mine, now spanning 12 years, has been an attempt to honor those lost in Nam and this seems like an appropriate place to say that many of you, over the years have asked ,"Have you done a book?" or "Are you planning to do a book?" and the answer is yes.

In fact, the original plan for A Means to Heal was to be just a book, not a web site, but many advised that it would be wise to have an online presence first. Well, after some hesitation, I decided to give it a shot and over time this online effort eclipsed the book project. That has finally been remedied and the print version of A Means to Heal is available. If interested, please contact your local book store and see if they have it. If not, ask then to get it for you. I've been told that if you do that, they will order extra copies for their shelves. Short of that, you can also get it from Amazon.

So, as you observe Memorial Day take a moment to remember why it exists, what it means, and how many were lost. It is not just about BBQ and beer.

R.I.P. to our brothers and sisters of every era.

Next time, on the 4th of June, we will return to New York, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of Thia page.

Nebraska XVI

I have posted from the magnificent Veterans Memorial Garden in Lincoln, Nebraska before, but it was only in searching for additional sites to include here that I ran across this simple, yet poignant, memorial not far from the larger tribute to those lost in Vietnam, which stands nearby.

Located in Antelope Park at 3200 Veterans Memorial Drive it offers the somewhat unusual approach of not only honoring our brothers and sisters, but also allowing for some venting of anger and frustration with the war, the loss and about what was seen as a fruitless, poorly devised, and led endeavor.

As you can see the sun made this particular shot difficult to see, so I have a few shots better displaying the detail.

 

Three separate writings each reflecting the feelings of the individuals who penned them.

Next time, on the 21st, we will revisit New Jersey, so meet me there as always, at 9:00am.

To visit other memorials from any state, please click on 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.

Nebraska

Monuments abound in this great park in Lincoln! By my count there are 25. None of these would even exist without Vietnam.

The Traveling Wall visited Lincoln in 1989 and 80,000 people visited. As so often happens, once it was gone the people wanted to build something permanent. Conversations and planning began and then with the recent success in the first Gulf War, the idea really took hold. The result is the Veteran's Memorial Garden, home to the Vietnam Memorial and many other memorials now located in Antelope Park.

 The memorial to Vietnam vets recalls The Wall in D. C. Black granite panels inscribed with the 405 names of Nebraska's lost. These are flanked by bricks with the names of those who contributed to the project and those being honored by family and friends on the right and on the left, POW/MIAs.

The memorial sits in esteemed company. There are memorials here to many others, including some you don't always see. Some of these are to Military Women, Black Soldiers, K-9, Ex-POWs, and China, Burma and India to name just a few. There is also one I have never encountered. It is called Silent Death and reminds us that many soldiers (and their families) are victims of life long injury, suffering and often death due to our technological weapons of war. Agent Orange, for example, is now linked directly to Diabetes, Parkinson's and over 40 kinds of Cancer and only the Deity knows how many suffer from PTSD or other emotional or mental traumas! It suggests, to me at least, that perhaps we need to gravely consider decisions that lead to war.

These last two photos are of an essay written to The Wall and those whose names are forever upon it. If you enlarge the picture it is worth a read and quite touching. It is dedicated to all who served and those who fell and asks that their sacrifice be the last and somehow to be made "worth it."

It has been said that all too often those who will not fight make decisions that give others no choice. I have been all over the page on the "Draft" in my life. Against it, for it, but now I think that there is an argument for universal service. Watching our young men and women serve several tours in war torn areas is just not right. It is not a new idea but maybe bears repeating that if the sons and daughters of of those who make these momentous decisions were among those at risk, maybe, just maybe, different ways of dealing with others might emerge!

Next time, on the 17th,  we will visit a a few of the other memorials in this beautiful park. Join me as always at 9:00am!