Delaware XIX

I have traveled to Delaware on a couple of occasions to find and photograph this memorial. One time, I just could not run down exactly where it was, the next time having resolved that issue, I found that the common area was closed to all due to some kind of construction. This time, more determined than ever, I followed my GPS instructions to the letter only to find, once again, the way blocked by tarp covered fencing.

 

 

After driving around trying to find access to the area I was about to throw in the towel once again. But, I pulled back into the closed area and noticed a door open to the maintenance facility. I wondered in and this really nice guy explained where it was and even took me through some buildings to show me how to get to it. He said he would not chance just leaving my car where it was as it might be ticketed or towed.

I drove around some more with a better feeling for what I was looking for and found some metered parking. I left the car and headed out and before too very long I had found the Memorial Hall. I knew I was in the right area and wandered around to the north side of the building and, finally located the stone and metal marker.

 

 

It is quite small but is unique in its wording as you will see.

 

I have never seen the use of the words "Asian conflicts" on any other memorial. I am not quite sure that the Persian Gulf qualifies as an Asian conflict, but...

 

I traveled on in Delaware to find other sites but was just plain out of luck. The last on was on Dover AFB but was closed by the time I arrived, so another time I'll venture back.

Next time, on the 17th, we will return to Idaho, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Maryland XXXII

On a visit to Williamsport to see my granddaughter perform in a concert at the local American Legion, I discovered that right outside the building was a memorial. It consists of several components including one to Vietnam. 

It was late when we were there so I made a trip back specifically to see and record the memorial.

The statue had just been placed and was the reason for the concert mentioned above.

 

 

The soldier is edged by several markers, each to a different war.

 

Note the dates here as in so many places they differ from the actual dates of the war.

 

 

There are no names here and one hopes that means no one from this town was actually lost and that this is just an honorarium to all who served. Sadly, a little research shows that this is not the case. LCPL. Kenneth Lamar Deavers jr. and PFC John Franklin Hutzell were both lost. 

R.I.P.

As is often the case, someone has visited and left a memento. I find is comforting that people still remember and care.

Next time, on the 21st, we will return to Pennsylvania, so meet me there at 9:00am.

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

Memorial Day 2021

Once again we pause to remember all those who have given everything for our country.

Armed Forces Memorial, Hawai'i'
 

Some of our excursions into the politics and the soil of other countries have been more popular than others, but no one disputes the sacrifice made by so many.

 

Lincoln, Nebraska 

 

In doing some research for this post it has been shocking to see just how many involvements we have been in over our history. we all know the big ones, Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish American, WW1, WW2, Korea, Nam, Middle East, GWOT, but the number of what must be called lesser known is astounding. You can see a list of them taken from Wikipedia here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_military_casualties_of_war

Check it out you just might be amazed.

It is estimated that nearly 1.4 million Americans have been lost in these efforts and today we remember them all.

                                                Virginia Beach, Virginia 

This effort of mine, now spanning 12 years, has been an attempt to honor those lost in Nam and this seems like an appropriate place to say that many of you, over the years have asked ,"Have you done a book?" or "Are you planning to do a book?" and the answer is yes.

In fact, the original plan for A Means to Heal was to be just a book, not a web site, but many advised that it would be wise to have an online presence first. Well, after some hesitation, I decided to give it a shot and over time this online effort eclipsed the book project. That has finally been remedied and the print version of A Means to Heal is available. If interested, please contact your local book store and see if they have it. If not, ask then to get it for you. I've been told that if you do that, they will order extra copies for their shelves. Short of that, you can also get it from Amazon.

So, as you observe Memorial Day take a moment to remember why it exists, what it means, and how many were lost. It is not just about BBQ and beer.

R.I.P. to our brothers and sisters of every era.

Next time, on the 4th of June, we will return to New York, so join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state, please click on the state name on the left side of Thia page.

Hawai'i

At the end of my last post from the National Museum of the American Indian I promised to post, today, from Hawai'i but the pics I had in mind were not what i wanted. So, I have decided that in keeping with the Veterans Day theme I would post about a memorial that I truly love.

While not specifically a Vietnam memorial it is in Hawai'i.

Called the Armed Forces Memorial it certainly seems to fit the effort to honor all who have served.

Located not far from the Governor's palace, the flame burns forever.

I will close this post with as a tribute and salute to Hawaii's veterans and all veterans everywhere.

The memorial may be found at420 S. Beretania Street, Honolulu.

Next time, on the 21st, we will return to Maryland, so join me there at 9:00am.

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

Veterans Day 2020

Each year on or about the 11th, I try to write something appropriate about Veterans Day.

In the past, over the last 10 years or so, I have explained the origins and the importance of Veterans Day or tried to write some interesting details or facts. You can find those posts elsewhere on this site.

This year I am taking a slightly different approach. Do you know what group of Americans serve our country the most? The Irish? the Italians? African Americans? No, it is none of these. It is Native Americans.

November is also Native American Heritage Month, so this seems especially timely.

I have written previously about the Native American Memorial in Neillsville, Wisconsin. You can find that one by clicking on Wisconsin on the left side of this page and scrolling back a bit, it is exquisite.

And today, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. a long planned and awaited memorial is being dedicated. Finally.

The National Native American Veterans Memorial is quite a beautiful thing.

I went down a few days ago to try to see it and found it completely shrouded from view by completely covered chain link fence. One of the great things about shrouded chain link fence is that there is always a hole.

In fact this time there were two. One large enough for me to get inside the area, but still not right up on it. And, I did try to explain to the guy inside what I was doing, he made it clear I had to leave. Not until I got a couple of shots, however.

The large circle, which signifies the cycle of life and death and the continuity of all things, sits upon a stylized drum and there are four war lances at the compass points. The elements of air, water, fire, and earth are all incorporated into the design, as they are woven into Native culture.

The war lances are adorned with eagle feathers and prayer ties. If you look closely you can see a prayer tie low on the lance. A prayer tie may be added by anyone who wishes. It is said that every time the wind blows, the prayer is sent to heaven, once again.

Eagle feathers

So, just after learning that this one was to be dedicated today, at 11:00am, I read that Riverside, California VA Cemetery has just broken ground for another. It is said to be completed in a couple of years. The artist rendition that I saw is spectacular.

The creator of this memorial originally was not going to even enter an idea but was convinced by friends to do so. The memorial itself is universal, meant to honor all: its creator, Harvey Pratt, is a USMC Vietnam vet.

Our original citizens are finally getting a little bit of their due: they have fought beside us in every war in which we have been involved.

To learn much more about this major new memorial check out this site from the Smithsonian: 

https://americanindian.si.edu/visit/washington/nnavm

Next time, on the 16th, we will check out Hawai'i, so join me there, as always, at 9:00am.

To see Vietnam memorials from any state in the union, please click on a state name on the left side of this page.