Florida XXVIII

It is with the utmost pleasure that I return to my original project today, writing about actual memorials. I love highlighting some of the brave men and women who are honored at these sites, but my original idea was to share actual memorials with those who might not be able to travel to see them all. So, today, back to Florida and an actual Wall of names.

The last time I posted about Florida, I featured pictures from Peg and Ray who kindly forwarded dozens of shots from a large museum.

Central Florida Vietnam Veterans created the National Vietnam War Museum not too far from Orlando in 1982 and later renamed it for Cpl. Larry Smedley.

You can see that post here.

Today, a few pics of the Wall that features the names of a number of soldiers. There is no "key" to tell if these soldiers were lost, MIA or served, but every one of the several I checked were, in fact, KIA.

There is way more material here worth presenting and I will do so as time moves on. I could probably write a dozen posts just from the material Peg and Ray sent me. Thanks again!

Next time on November 8th, we will return to Georgia and additional faces to honor, so join me there, as usual at 9:00 am. 

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, Molly from Florida, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, 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 and/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.

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos and join the group.

Florida XXVII

I am excited today to take you back to Florida.

 

Excited for two reasons: 1. because I have been made aware of a remarkable site not far from Orlando and

                                        2. because, once again, you have answered my call for contributions.

Cpl. Larry E. Smedley was a 19 year old Marine on patrol with six others men. They fell into an ambush. After taking out a machine gun nest and being mortally wounded, Cpl. Smedley was awarded the Medal of Honor. In addition, his fellow veterans have created this museum in his honor.

You can read a bit of his story below:

 

This is just the beginning of this story. I will be writing about this site for some time I am sure, there is so much to see.

For now, be sure to check back on the 27th to return to Georgia, as always, at 9:00 am.

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, Colleen from Pennsylvania, Elli from Maryland, and now Peg and Ray from Florida, among others, 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 and/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.

I hope all those listed here will encourage you to send along photos.

Thanks, once again, to all Peg and Ray and all who have contributed.

Florida XXIV

Orlando, home of the "World's happiest place"(or something like that) is known by all. However, just a bit more than 20 miles NNE is a reminder that the world is not always happy, not always a place of fantasy.

On the north side of  Lake Baldwin is a veterans park and among the several memorials there is a a beautiful remembrance of our participation and partnership in the effort to help our Vietnamese allies.

I have written about this site before and you can find that post here.

Today, as I have been doing so often lately, I will share the faces of the two soldiers, one American and one Vietnamese, in the continuing Faces of Remembrance series.

 

 

I wonder if you see the same thing I see in these photos? I have noticed over the years that sometimes the artist will not focus on the actual face of the soldier depicted in a statue, but rather on some other feature or in an attempt to create an "everyman." Not often, but occasionally. (You will see that most clearly in a future post from Pennsylvania)

Look at the difference in these two faces. The detail in the American seems, to me, to be much greater than that of the Vietnamese soldier. At first I thought that it might be to some bias on the part of the sculptor, until I recalled that this is a memorial erected by a joint Vietnamese- American group, so that makes no sense at all. I wonder what is happening here, or am I just imagining the differences? Am I wrong?

The park may be found at 2380 Lake Baldwin Lane. 

Next time, on the 23rd, we will revisit Hawai'i' for something a little different, so join me there at 9:00am

I will ask, at the end of 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 from the lost at the left.

Reach me at the email listed on the left.

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

Florida XII

The city of Orlando is much more famous for being the home of a number of amusement parks and tourist attractions, but, it is also the home of a magnificent tribute to those who fought and were lost in Vietnam.

Located on the site of an old Navy base, now a VA hospital, it backs up to Lake Baldwin.

Created by the local Vietnamese community in appreciation of the service and sacrifice Americans made in Vietnam. I am stunned that I can find so little information about this stunning place.

One of the first things I noticed was that there was no America flag, but later research showed that it is usually there above the POW/MIA flag. why it was missing the day I visited, I do not know.

Set in among these trees makes it particularly beautiful. In D.C. The Three Servicemen are amongst trees that represent the jungle, I guess the same might be true here.

One of the smaller walls here attempts to tell the story of the Vietnam War. A part I particularly appreciate is that mention is made of the 6 countrys that actually put "boots on the ground." A number of other countrys aided in other ways, but these actually participated in the fighting.

The reverse lists the many groups and organizations that were part of the project.

The dedication plaque.

The memorial may be found at Glenridge Way East and Lake Baldwin lane,

Next time, on the 11th, we will meet in Georgia, so join me there,as always, at9:00am.

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