Pennsylvania VIII

This inspiring tribute to 8 lost in Vietnam is located on the south side of Pittsburgh. It may be found at the corner of E. Carson and 18th street. The day I was there, the Pittsburgh marathon had just run through this neighborhood and the monument was partially covered in purple and white balloons which were on a stanchion of some kind. While it was an interesting site, I was somewhat conflicted about the message they might send, I felt it better to move them out of the way long enough to take the pictures.

Pennsylvania VII

This is a beautiful site located in the courtyard of the Pittsburgh Family Court building (the old Allegheny County Jail) located on Ross Street. When we first arrived, on Sunday, we were surprised to find that the area was locked even though it is accessible from the street. A guard told us that it is only open during normal business hours, so we returned on Monday. It was well worth the trip. As you can see the site is a little bit unusual, but even more so is the fact that there is so much information available about it! Every detail of the site has been thought through and made available. You have heard me whine, before, about how difficult it is, all too frequently, to get any information at all about sites. So, to find so much, here, is a pleasure.

The following is taken directly from the website; (http://www.donnan.com/pghmem2.htm)

Black Granite symbolizes the stone to memorialize the fallen American Soldiers of the Vietnam War. The 4 and 00 (double zero's equals infinity) and the 1 (implies one) 2 (too many) with the crying rose represents 412 soldiers. The double zero's represents infinity and the continuation of the fallen and in war there is always one more, and one more. The black iron represents the city of Pittsburgh that was founded and built by the Mothers and Fathers of iron and steel. The triangle represents the three rivers. The three small triangles represent the folded flag and the three-corner hat of our founding fathers who fought and died for the principles of freedom. The twelve bolts that secure the black granite represents the twelve months of the year, which our soldiers served in Vietnam.

The five bolts on each side of the triangles represents the sum of the ten year war in Vietnam as well as the number ten found in the Bible. The thirteen-foot black granite tablets represents the thirteen original colonies as well as the height of the triangle. The symbol on the back that secures the black granite is in the shape of the peace sign, which was often drawn on the Vietnam soldier's helmet. The black and gold flagpoles represent the beloved colors of Pittsburgh. The height of the crying rose to the tablets with the names was strategically placed so that all those that read the names must bow their head and in sad memory their heads will turn to and fro to sorrow. The black granite memorial was born from a long war, the death of LCPL William Joseph Wagner, Jr. and from a poem titled, The Wall. The Black Granite Vietnam War Memorial was carefully thought out and constructed by many volunteers with the memory. Not so long ago... Vietnam


I think this says it all for this site.

Washington Post article

Another exciting thing has happened!

Returning from Michigan recently, I found myself sitting with a couple returning to Washington, too. We struck up a conversation which covered a number of topics including my work on this project. It turned out that he is an editor with the Washington Post and he was very interested in my journey. He pitched the story at the Post the next day and they agreed. They arranged for a story to be done on the efforts I am making to visit and write about these memorials. In addition, they asked to use some of my photos in the story. The graphics department told me they may use some in the print edition and others in the online edition, so, you may want to check out both.

A reporter, Monica Hesse, accompanied me, and my buddy Steve, to Pittsburgh, the first leg of my most recent trip. We met up with a photographer there, Randy Jarosz, who took many shots during our time in the city, so his pics will be featured, too.

The story will appear in the Post over the Memorial Day weekend. Ms Hesse said they are aiming for Memorial Day, itself, but that it was possible that it could appear on the Saturday before the holiday.

So, if you would like to check it out, you can get the Post or check it out on line at;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003463.html

As usual, I would love to hear what you think.