South Dakota XIV

This final post from Vietnam in our words will highlight just a few more components of this great exhibit. Housed in the Old Court House Museum in Sioux Falls it is well worth a visit if you find yourself in this beautiful part of the country. I do not know if this is a permanent display of if it is traveling so you might want to check that out before you go.

Guest books are scattered on some tables throughout the displays. I read only a few as, somehow, they seemed private to me. I know that is illogical, but it is how I felt.

The page on the left asks for info about a particular soldier and the one on the right is from a child, talking about her great grand father who,it appears, may have fought in WWII.

A Peace pin handed to a returning soldier in San Francisco.

A Purple Heart awarded to a soldier and donated to the exhibit by his family.

 

Field Crosses, in-country.

To end this tour on a less somber note, here is an example of typical American humor. One of the places I was was Vung Tau and the guys there had a big sign on one of the barracks saying, "Vung Tau Stables," though I must say that this one is much more elaborate it still reflects our need for humor in any and all situations.

Next time, on the 27th, we return to Texas. Join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

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

South Dakota XIII

Wandering through the many exhibits at the Old Court House Museum in Sioux Falls, reveals any number of interesting sights and details. In this third post from there I will highlight just a few.

"Sand bags" and photos tell some of the story of everyday life. I was briefly in charge of a sand bag filling operation while on light duty due to a severe infection of some, still, unknown origin. We filled thousands and thousands of these ubiquitous reminders of ever present danger, but I never saw them placed. It makes you very aware of the magnitude of the efforts to protect ourselves and our people, equipment and facilities.

The state has an exhibit touting the beautiful memorial in Pierre. Each vet who attended was given one of the special License plates shown here to proudly display on their cars.

This will surely bring back some memories. In an effort to not give away position, dog tags were often taped together or one laced in a boot and the other around your neck. We used band-aids as they were easier to come-by than tape.

 

More of the story is told on a nearby panel and as you may know, eventually "tags" were edged with rubber or plastic (I never had any of these so I am not sure which) eliminating the need for rubber bands, tape, or band-aids.

Those that participated in the interviews for Vietnam in our words are given recognition throughout the displays.

Next time, on the 22nd, we will visit the last few exhibits from this site. Join me at 9:00am on the 22nd.

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

South Dakota XII

This is the second in a series of posts from the Vietnam in our words exhibit at the Old Court House Museum in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. If you missed the first one, just scroll down to South Dakota XI.

 

A map explains the various geographic elements throughout the country. It explains various weather conditions and their impact in different areas.

A large timeline highlights various important events throughout the war.

Awards, decorations and medals are displayed here.

The "new" jungle fatigues were introduced in October of '67. I had been there since April and, man, were they a welcome relief. They were a marked improvement on the older type were had been wearing; much lighter and thankfully, cooler.

The accompanying sign fills in some details. I never knew that there were three different issues of these uniforms.

Credit where credit is due. It is often said that 22 (Or 31 depending on whom you read) nations participated in the war, but these are the ones that actually put "Boots on the ground!" Oddly, Canada, who lost 100 men, is not listed. No one, yet, lists Ireland who was not officially involved, but it is now known that 19 of the names on the Wall in DC, (one a nurse counted as on of the 8 women) are Irish citizens. They are among the 100's that came to the US specifically to join the military and fight in 'Nam. Their story is being told on a new monument being constructed in Ennis, Ireland. Ennis will actually be the second Vietnam Memorial in Ireland. The first is at Adare Manor in Kilarney and you can find more about it on this site. I hope to get back to Ireland one day to honor and photograph these sites.

Next time, on the 17th, I will continue with some more from this site in South Dakota. So, join me at 9:00am for the next installment.

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

South Dakota XI

While in Sioux Falls, I noticed a sign on an old building. It invited one to come in and see the Vietnam Museum within. It would have been very easy to miss completely had I not been walking.

Inside was a whole display of artifacts, personal contributions, and historical information contributed by many. Called, Vietnam in our words it makes an effort to include various points of view. Soldiers, families, friends, and citizens are all represented, in some way.

 

An opening statement explains the approach taken to the exhibit.

Detail from above

Much efforts has been expended to try to tell the story of how and why we got involved in Vietnam. The rooms are full of panels of text, timelines, etc. trying to make sense of it all.

This one makes an effort to explain our initial incursions and I guess we will just have to believe that the people doing the writing did the best they could. Most of us will never know the truth. I have written, often, before about how these efforts often differ wildly in their retelling of the story.

In the past, long time readers will recall, I have complained about what in the kindest interpretation may be called inaccuracies or misinterpretations or in the worst, revisionist history, but in the end it is a fruitless argument as the truth is only known to those now, mostly, long gone. This is difficult for to those for whom truth makes a difference. To have been part of something and never fully understand the truth, leaves one the rest of their lives to wonder and doubt. I am not actually suggesting that these statements are untrue, only that they differ from others seen in different places in different times.

I will spend the next post or two sharing some of its features. So, join me back here on the 12th, at 9:00am, for more details and pictures of some of the exhibits components.

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

South Dakota X

Sioux Falls has done a truly magnificent job on this Veteran's Memorial Park and while I have concentrated, in my last two posts, on the Vietnam components, today, I will share a few other of the remarkable pieces of this tribute.

This beautiful bronze eagle stands near the entrance. There is no sign or designation, but you can't help but think that he is protecting the whole site.

These pavers form a huge square within the central park. They recall the service and sacrifice of many from many wars. The large "C" in the middle helps visitors find their loved one as each corner has a alphabetical designation.

Nearby, this remembrance to all who never returned. Note that there is a missing star in the star field to the right side of the plaque.

An angel carries a fallen solder towards his final reward. Called "Going Home", he is rising from a draped American flag and the statue is dedicated to all who have lost their lives in uniform.

Finally, the wish of every soldier, every parent, every child, so that no more shall be sacrificed.

The park may be found at 1021 W. Bailey Street in Sioux Falls just minutes from the airport.

Next time, on the 21st, we will travel,once again, to Texas. Join me there at 9:00am.

To see other posts from South Dakota, or any other state, click the state name on the left side of this page.

South Dakota IX

This post will be a little different. It will be the first that deals only with Medal of Honor recipients. The photos here speak for themselves and nothing I could write will tell their story more eloquently or bestow any more honor on these gallant heroes.

The Medal of Honor was first awarded in 1863 and some 1400 have been earned since that time. The way one might feel about a particular war must not diminish the bravery and heroism of these very few who have gone, as each citation says, "above and beyond the call of duty."

So, take a minute to read each of these, all from Vietnam, and, perhaps whisper an Ave for each; Be glad that such people exist and teach us what is important and how to live.

Remember, that if you "click" on the photo, it will enlarge for easier viewing.

Next time, on the 16th, I will post the last few pics from this Sioux Falls site. So, join me, as always, at 9:00am.

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

Update: Just found out that my info is wrong about the number of MOH recipients. I stated above that the number is 1400 but it is actually 3463, seventy five of whom are still living. Sorry for the bad info.

South Dakota VIII

When I posted the last site from South Dakota, back in 2012, I figured that it would be the last. I had no idea that I would have reason to return. Life, being what it is, decided differently and I was back for a family wedding in Sioux Falls in the eastern part of the state. It was great to be back in this beautiful place and I planned some extra time to see what I could find as on my first trip I had not been able to get to this area.

As luck, or life, would have it, there is a beautiful Veteran's park just minutes from the airport. One surprise other than this park was the weather. We were there in May and it was bitter cold, the wind was blowing to beat all hell and I wondered how long we could endure! The temp was actually in the 30s, in May! There had been an ice storm shortly before we arrived and trees and limbs were down everywhere.

This park honors all veterans but other than Medal of Honor awardees, names are not listed.

Today, I will post a few general and a couple specific to Vietnam and next time post some of the other elegant and meaningful sights from this great park.

Note the lack of leaves on any of the trees

The wind was strong and bitter on this particular day

This stone dedicated the park to all who served and cautions us to honor them all

Vietnam is listed here among the other wars and much space is left for those yet to come

I frequently write about our not being able to decide when the was was fought and here is another example of how some interpret the time period. Most, but not all count from 1959 to 1975. These numbers (above) start at the Gulf of Tonkin incident and end with the signing of the peace treaty that "ended " the war. We all know these are just arbitrary dates as the first soldier actually died in 'Nam in 1956 and continued to do so until 1975 when Saigon finally fell.

Next time, I will post some more interesting sights from this spot. Join me at 9:00am on the 11th of March.

To see other posts from South Dakota, or any other state, click on the state name on the left side of this page.