New York XXX

One more set of pics submitted by Mike Minnick. These, too, are from the site at Mt. Morris which is about 60 miles, more or less, due east of Buffalo.

Please check out my other posts from Mt Morris here and here.

Mt. Morris is a small town, less than 5,000 in the 2010 census, once more testifying to my ongoing astonishment as to what small towns are capable of doing to honor their veterans.

Reflecting a common theme at these and truthfully most veterans sites, this wall welcomes all who visit.

Each of our numerous involvements is honored here.

Note the dates on the Vietnam marker, omitting eight years of our efforts.

A final reminder to those who may have never served which is, actually, about 98% of the Nation.

Check back on Thursday for a Thanksgiving wish to all.

To see additional memorials to those who served, from New York, or any other state, please click on a state on the left side of this page.

If you are following along at all, you will have seen that a number of you, like Mike Minnick, have responded to my request to send me memorials you have seen in your area or where you may have traveled. These submissions help expand the knowledge of how we have remembered the men and women who served or were lost in 'Nam and you help to honor them. If you have any such photos, I would love to see them. Please send them along to the email at the left and I will gladly share them here.

New York VII

The Western New York Vietnam Monument is located on the water in Buffalo and is quite beautiful. On the corner of Erie Street and Marine Drive, it looks out over the water and honors 488 from western New York.

It was designed by a local artist, a Vietnam vet, whom I tried in vain to contact. Perhaps another time.

Oddly, the monument is so close to the water that it is a little hard to photograph. Try as I might, I could not get a complete, straight on picture, even with a fairly wide 18mm lens.

While trying to figure out how to get the best shot, I noticed that several ships were tied up at the dock and I thought if I could get on one of them, maybe I could get a better angle. I went over and talked to a guy on one of them and it turns out they were open to the public for a sizable fee. I told him what I was up to and he said "just re close anything you open" and let me proceed. A tip of the hat and my thanks to him.

From the very tip of the bow I was able to get the first shot you see in this series. Still not straight on, but I like it anyway. Below, the MIAs are given special attention at the site.

Closer inspection of the memorial showed this correction of some kind. It was difficult to tell exactly what happened, but obviously, something was changed at some point. Look closely at the word states to see.

I cannot say for sure but the soldier in the picture certainly could be Vietnamese and it seems fitting that we take a moment to remember their sacrifice as well as our own.

Next time, on the 24th, we will return to North Carolina to a small, local memorial in Laureinburg. Join me thee, as always, at 9:00am.

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

New York VI

The Kaisertown area of Buffalo honors the four locals who were lost in ‘Nam. This monument located in the Heroes Grove area of Stachowski-Houghton Park is one of the many remembrances here, and across the state.

These small memorials always amaze me because they are so personal. It is likely that those who designed and built them actually knew the people they honor, their brothers and sisters, cousins, friends, sons, daughters, husbands and wives. These memorial give real person-hood to those lost. 

The huge memorials list hundreds or thousands of names, mostly unknown to the builder and can be, as a result, less personal. I love then all, but these smaller ones always strike a nerve in me.

There may be somewhat less to photograph, but often the emotions are more overwhelming.

Next time, on the 27th, we will venture once again to North Carolina. Join me there, as usual, at 9:00am.

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