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.

South Carolina III

I was actually in the Army's Navy. During the 'Nam era, the Army was said to have more watercraft than the Navy. Not battleships and the like, of course, but all kinds of vessels. I was trained on a number of them and spent some time running up and down the Mekong delivering everything from food to tons and tons of munitions. So, the Navy connection is very strong for me. We even did much of our training at Norfolk! As Army guys, you know we took some heat from the sailors, but we gave as good as we got, but in actual training exercises, we were all on the same team. Patriots Point in South Carolina, as mentioned in my last post, has the usual attractions of ships, planes and memorials. It goes a step, a large step, beyond these; it has recreated a Navy Technical Support Base, the only one in the country. It is like stepping back into 'Nam. Years simply slide away as you walk through the barbed wire encompassed area.

 

The ubiquitous sandbags. Once, while on "Light Duty" due to a recent, severe illness, I was assigned to sandbag duty and I remember that over that 10 day period I, personally filled over 8,000 sandbags. The crew that had been assigned to me filled many many more and we never knew where they went, but I was glad when my "Light Duty" was over.

 

Ammo dumps, like this one were everywhere. I once saw one go up, hit by something, it was like the 4th of July. You would never leave a chopper this close to a dump.

We were always escorted by these PBR's as we ventured down the river. They were always welcome company. We were, for all intents and purposes, unarmed. We had a few M-14's aboard but nothing else, so the twin 50 cals on these were our primary defense.

On the 6th, we will revisit South Dakota. Join me there at 9:00am.

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

South Carolina II

In Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston, is one of the largest and most interesting sights I have visited. It is the home of the air craft carrier the U.S.S. Yorktown, a submarine, and other ships, a Medal Of honor Museum and other sights I will tell you more about in a later post. Today, I want to show you the memorial to the 161 from South Carolina's 1st Congressional District who are honored here.

The memorial could hardly be more simple. Four stones, reminiscent of grave markers, that dedicate the site and list all of the names. Surrounded by some field stones it rests just at the entrance to the larger park area. In fact, if you were not paying attention, you might just miss it.

 

In addition to this one to the 161, I found a couple of others throughout the park. The first is dedicated to those lost in Vietnam, who were members of a group called The Seawolves. The Seawolves were an Attack Helicopter Squadron and 44 of their pilots and door gunners were lost.

 

The final one that I saw was to a Medal of Honor awardee. Major Patrick Henry Brady, on one particular day in Vietnam, went through three choppers in fog shrouded areas to rescue 51 seriously injured soldiers. The three choppers were all seriously damaged but he managed to get those guys out.

Next time, on March 1st, I will show you a sight you can only see in South Carolina. At Patriots Point they have constructed a Navy Advanced Technical Support Base, the only one of its kind. I think it is easy, sometimes, to forget that not only the Marines and the Army fought valiantly in 'Nam. This Support Base brings that all home. So, join me at 9:00am on the 1st to take a step back into history.

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

Rhode Island VIII

To be honest, I have no memory of how I learned about this memorial. It may well have been, as is often the case, just a chance conversation with someone along the way.

This elegant and respectful memorial honors those from the area who served in a number of wars including, of course, Vietnam.

What makes this tribute most remarkable, I think, is that it is from the students of the community and is located upon the grounds of a local school.

Located not too very far from Newport, the Wakefield Elementary School is like any other. The day I visited, kids were in class, on the playground, and participating in the normal school day. There were people coming and going and even a few folks sitting at a nearby picnic table. I was struck by the dichotomy of the events; happy children and honoring those who had served and in some cases, died.

Blue Star Mothers are also remembered here, too.

Next time, on the 24th, we will travel to South Carolina. So, join me there, as always, at 9:00am,

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

Pennsylvania XI

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Grove lies directly behind the state capitol in Harrisburg. It is a park full of Red Oaks that serves as a link between the Capitol and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge. the tall pillars at the rear of the picture are part of the bridge.

There are plaques to our many conflicts at the base of ten of these trees, including one to those who are unknown. You see the one dedicated to Vietnam, here.

Ribbon like bands of markers divide the green honoring the many Medal of Honor awardees from Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania boasts 378 Medal awardees and is second only to New York State in this honor.

These bands are sometimes just names and dates and others tell the story of an awardees valor and heroism. One could spend much time reading and learning here.

I read recently that some of the Red Oaks are dying, three are actually now gone, but the state has committed to replace the trees and restore these sentrys to their rightful place.

On the 19th, join me as we return to Rhode Island. I'll see you at 9:00am, as always.

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

Ohio VIII

While visiting Cleveland on a business trip, I had the opportunity to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and other sights. One of them was this great War Memorial. It honors all who have perished during 20th Century wars. Those lost in Vietnam are, of course, honored here.

The memorial was originally built to honor WWII soldiers but in 1991 was refurbished and expanded to include all from the 20th century.

 

Our other conflicts post Vietnam are recalled here, too. As always seems to be the case and not particularly prophetic, empty spaces are provided for the future sacrifices of those possibly not yet born.

The statue is of a man escaping the flames of war and reaching for everlasting peace. There are fountains surrounding the statue, but they were not on the day I was there which provided this clear view.

Interestingly, the statue/fountain is known by three different names: The Fountain of Eternal Life, The War Memorial Fountain and Peace Emerging from the Flames of War.The large globe on which he is standing represents the earth. The whole statue is 35 feet tall.

Next time, we will visit Pennsylvania . So join me at 9:00am on the 14th of February.

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

North Carolina IV

I had read about the memorial in Jackson, N.C. and even spoken with one of the guys associated with building it, but I had no idea how awestruck I would be by actually seeing it. It has become one of my very favorites now that I have been there a couple of times.

It sits just off Lejuene blvd. outside the famous Marine camp. From the road, as you pull in to the area, it appears to be a rather nondescript wall, with an array of flags and a small marker, but if you continue down the path, over the bridge, you will find one of the largest and most magnificent memorials I have ever seen.

The path leads you up to a fountain with a reflating pool that is surrounded by a number of large pillars. All of this is encircled by 600 feet of glass on which are etched the more than 58,000 names of the lost and missing from 'Nam.

Each name is listed in alphabetical order so that one might easily find a loved one. The 3700 square feet of glass reflect the differing light of the day, the flags placed throughout, the water features, and allow one to look through from one set of names, across the pillars and the fountains, to others names. It is a remarkable effect. Stunning and  beautiful, nestled in among tall pines it is a peaceful, quite, and respectful place.

Located along with this Vietnam memorial are a tribute to the Marines killed in Beirut and a piece of the Twin Towers honoring those lost on September 11th. and very nearby is a military cemetery. This site deserves a bit of your time should be in the Jacksonville area.

Next time, on the 9th of February, we will visit  Ohio, as always at 9:00am. See you then.

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