Massachusetts III

I've written previously about a memorial in Springfield, Mass. but today I want to visit one unlike any I have seen before.

Located in the Winchester Square section of Springfield is the only memorial I have ever seen solely to African American soldiers lost in the war. In truth, dating itself considerably, it refers to Negro soldiers and proudly lists the names of the five men from the area who were lost.

The granite memorial boasts an eagle perched upon a bundle that may arrows, but since it has leaves I am not positive about that identification.


It can be found on the corner of State Street and Eastern Ave.

And, remember today to take a few moments and remember these fallen and all who have served our country on this Veteran's Day 2013.

Next time, we will visit the "other" Michigan Vietnam memorial in Lansing. Join me at 9:00am on the 16th.

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

Maryland IV

Located at the Talbot County Court House, in Easton, under some trees is the local Vietnam memorial. Consisting of two standing markers, it depicts, on the left, a map of Vietnam and the names of the ten from the area who were lost. On the right, a soldier is cradling his dying buddy, while a chopper attempts to arrive in time.

Next time, on the 11th, Veteran's Day, join me in Massachusetts to honor the only memorial I have seen that honors Black soldiers. This one will post at the 11th hour to honor Armistice Day which we now know as Veteran's Day.

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

Veteran' Day 11-11-11

I never anticipated, all those 43 years ago, that today I would be dedicating much of my life to vets. This effort to see, record, and honor Vietnam memorials started out about me and began many years after trying to forget, ignore and act as if 'Nam had never happened. Driven by whatever I was still carrying around from 'Nam, I began searching out these sites and posting them and discovered that I was actually helping other vets. I have heard from many, from all over the world, that they have benefited from the same realization that I had; that America had found a way to to say, "Hey guys, we didn't really mean all that stuff we said" and finally, long over due, "Welcome Home" I spent part of this trip on Ft. Bragg and I can't help but wonder as I think about all these young soldiers I saw, what will their lives be like 43 years from now? How will they be remembered and honored? What struggles will they have faced? What will we as Americans have done to help them through their trials? So, with that in mind, to all my brothers and sisters who made it back, let's be sure we do not abandon them, as we were abandoned and, also, be sure to take a moment to remember and honor those who did not make it home with us.

These pics are of the Moving Wall which was in Veteran's Park in Fayetteville as part of their Vietnam Veteran's Welcome Home events this week. I usually try to take pictures without people in them, but I really liked these, especially the two guys finding a name on The Wall.

Veteran's Day 2011/ 11-11-11

Veteran's Day

This site, as you know, is dedicated to honoring Vietnam veteran's by visiting, photographing, and writing about memorials to the those who served. Today, however, it seems more than fitting to remember that we are not alone in our service. Our ancestors have earned the respect of us all through all the years of our history. And, now, our children fight in distant lands. They, too, shall be remembered.

Veteran's Day began as Armistice Day. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, 1918 hostilities ceased (an armistice) in The Great War. The peace treaty was actually signed quite sometime later. In 1938 Armistice Day was made a federal holiday and later, after WWII and Korea the name was changed to Veteran's Day to honor all vets of all wars. There are more than 23 million American vets today.

You can find much more information about Veteran's Day here;

http://www.history.com/Topics/history-of-Veterans-day

I was in Richmond, Virginia and stopped to see the Virginia War Memorial. It is a magnificent site that honors all Veterans. I thought it would be good to include this wonderful site here, too. Expansion of the original 1956 site was just completed this last July. I had stopped by then but could not get any pictures or info as there was too much construction equipment, etc in the area. Today, it is nearly complete and one of the staff kindly showed me all around. The Vietnam portion of the lists of names is etched upon the glass wall of the Shrine of Memory, as it is called. The names from other wars are etched upon the facing stone wall. The statue is called "Memory" and she stands with The Torch of Liberty, an eternal flame, at her feet. She watches over the 11,634 names etched here for all time. The Torch represents "patriotism that is everlasting." The site, also, boasts a Flag Court and Rose Gardens. The Shrine is open 365 days a year with the auditoriums, visitor center and gift shops open 'til 4 pm. It is located on route 1 (621 Belvidere Street) just north of the Robert E. Lee Bridge.

You can find more information here;

www.vawarmemorial.org

I, also, visited Virginia Beach this week and came upon this beautiful memorial to all veterans. It is based upon the ideas of three local high school students who participated in a design contest. It depicts how the world is split by war, and how some pieces of our world, our selves (our humanity?) are lost forever. There are a number of flags, including U.S., Va., all Military Services flags, a special Tidewater Veteran's Flag. A POW/MIA Flag will fly until all are accounted for.

This memorial sits at 1000, 19th street, in Virginia Beach, Va.

There is much more information regarding the memorial at this site;

http://virginia-beaches.net/Attractions/veteran.htm


If you see a vet today, say "Thanks"