Wisconsin III

Another feature at the Highground is the first veteran's memorial specifically honoring the women who served.

The statue, near the flags poles, was the model for a submission for the memorial on the Mall, in Washington, D. C. If it had been chosen, it would have been life sized and on the Mall. Now, she has a place of honor at the Highground.

There are other women here, too.

There is a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) The statue is by Dorothy Swain Lewis, who was a WASP. I noted in a previous post that it was many years after their noble service that these brave women were finally recognized by the Government (1977). It was just last March (2010) that they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. A long way from having to pass the hat to collect the money to send home their 38 sisters, who perished in service!

Another woman is here, too. She sits, with her child, mourning the loss of her husband, her child's father. While the particular site is not a Vietnam Tribute, the loss and message are larger than any one conflict.

Caring for The Wall

I was contacted, after the story in the Washington Post, by Bill Gray of the local Vietnam Veterans of America. He and a group of other vets care for The Wall in D. C. Once a month they gather early on a Saturday morning and clean the Wall, The Three Soldiers statue, and The Womens' Memorial. They often hold a small, respectful ceremony and are sometimes aided by a group of Civil Air Patrol Cadets.

This noble and worthy work was featured on the Today Show and you may find the story here;

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/30884929/ns/today-today_people/

story

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/30929219#30929219

video

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/05/28/1946797.aspx

Each of these takes you to a different feature of the story.

Bill and his friends are always looking for help, so if you would like to lend a hand, they meet at the wall on the first Saturday of every month, April through November at 6:30 a.m.

Here is a quote form Bill's note to me.

"...our Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 641, Silver Spring, Md. washes The Wall on the first Saturday of each month--April through November, at 6:30. Please join us, one morning you are willing to get up at zero-dark-thirty. We are finished by 0800. Its a great way to start the day."

As I will be out on photo shoots in July and August, I will try to attend in September. In the meantime, If you can help, just show up.