New York III

The New York City Vietnam memorial is really quite something. Located in a renamed park at 55 Water Street right near Wall Street it provides a beautiful respite for New Yorkers.

It lists the names of the 1741 of New York's best who lost their lives in the war. Their names are listed on steles that line the 125 foot Walk Of Honor.

The wall itself is made up of greenish glass blocks on which is inscribed the words from news accounts of the day, letters, and poems of those remembered and honored here. In addition, various plaques and a map of Vietnam adorn the site.

One of the things that stands out for me about this site is that it is filled with people. Usually, when I visit a site, I am the only one there. So, this one felt "alive" and I must say that I liked it. The site provides numerous benches for people to use and being in the middle of a very densely utilized area helps, I am sure. The site is, also, very restful as it contains a pulsating water feature, trees, and a view of the river.

Much more information and history may be found here;

http://www.nyvietnamveteransmemorial.org/vvm/making_build.html

Next stop, beautiful Troy New york.

New York II

Located directly across the street bordering the other side of the state house (from the New York State Memorial) is this city memorial. It is located in a beautiful park and honors and commemorates those from Albany who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam. 55 names are listed on the original plaque. Two more were added later on a plaque adjacent to the memorial.

This memorial is located in a park directly bounded on two sides by Washington Ave. and Hawk Street. There is parking on Washington Ave.

From here, New York city is next.

In memorium

Long time readers of this site will remember that I lost my younger brother last year. In fact, one year ago today.

In the ensuing year I have had much time to think about all this and this what I have learned.

Be the best brother (or sister) you can be!

I have spent a lot of time this last twelve months regretting that I did not do so! It is not that I was a bad brother, just not a very good one. I spent too much time thinking about where we differed, rather than about where we agreed. I spent too much time rehearsing arguments and points of view, rather than just saying "I love you" and to hell with our disagreements!

Some of you are feuding with family. Stop it! Forget the argument, the difference, the slight (real or imagined) Say "I'm sorry" or whatever it takes to mend the rift. You will not regret it.

And, if something terrible and unexpected happens, you will not spend the rest of your life wondering if it had to be, or if you could have done something to make it better, wishing that you had said "Denny, I love you" one more time rather than "Denny, I miss you and I wish I had been a better brother", forever.

New York

In Albany, Empire State Plaza. In a courtyard near the Justice Building, are four bronze panels with the 4,123 names of those from New York who were killed in Vietnam. Located inside the building is the Memorial Gallery. The gallery serves as a resource center and an exhibit area, which hosts changing display related to all American wars and veterans issues. The New York State Office of General Services oversees the Memorial Gallery.

Located directly across the street from the State House, this site is tucked in a small plaza area, back from the street. We had to ask a nearby Security Guard where to find it. It would be easy to walk by if you were not aware of where it is.

As seen in the photos, it is also visible from the surrounding plaza area above it. The slope is so steep in this area that it lends itself well to this layout. The area is a beautiful place with its mixture of modern and historic buildings.

Next, I go to the Albany city memorial, nearby.

Minnesota IV

This memorial is located in a park along the lake in Winona, Mn. It is but one of a number of memorials within the park including Gold Star Mothers and POW/MIA sites.

The inscription on the memorial reads;

IN HONOR OF ALL
VIETNAM VETERANS
WHO ON LAND, AIR AND SEA
SERVED WITH COURAGE
COMPETENCE, FORTITUDE
AND HONOR.
WE SALUTE YOUR
COMMITMENT, VALOR
AND LOVE OF COUNTRY
YOU EPITOMIZE THE
BEST OF THE AMERICAN SPIRIT

In addition, the memorial totals the statistics from Vietnam and these, of course, vary by the information known at the time the memorial was built.

Note that this site specifies 1958 as the beginning of the war and, also, note the pavers surrounding the wall that helped pay for it. The gazebo behind the first picture is used for some of the ceremonies held here each year.

On Veterans day a 24 hour vigil is held along with brief ceremonies to honor all who are remembered in this lovely setting.

The park is located on Lake Park Drive and Park Drive in Winona, Minnesota.

Minnesota III

The memorial in Duluth, Minnesota is called the Northland Vietnam Veterans Memorial. It sits on a beautiful lake walk area between a railroad track and lake Superior. It faces to the east and catches the sun as it rises. The light boxes allow the sun to flow across the names enshrined here; recognizing and honoring each one, each day.

The Northland Memorial, built like a bunker, protects those who are silently here while allowing visitors to honor them in inclement weather. A light shines to the sky at night to guide home the POWs and MIAs who have not yet returned to the Northland and their families and loved ones.

The five "fingers" seen in the third picture bear the insignias of and represent the five branches of the military. It is also said that these represent a wave coming from Lake Superior and the bunker is protecting the wall and the names within.

Dedicated on May 30, 1992, the site has an information stand that tells its story. Two passages from it stand out for me.

"Read their names, read them in a whisper, read them with your fingertips, read them with your eyes, read them in your heart; however you do it; they will hear you."

and

"They are heroes in our minds,
men in our eyes and
beloved in our hearts."

The Northland memorial, while in Duluth, honors those from 6 Minnesota and two Wisconsin counties.

If in Duluth I believe that anyone could direct you to this amazing site. It is in lakeside park and is near the old Fitgers building

Minnesota II

The first place I stopped in Minnesota was Stillwater. I met the fellow from the St. Paul planning committee here and he showed me the memorial in town.

As you can see, it is a bit unusual. When I asked him about the design, he said, "just take a look around!" As I slowly turned about and surveyed the surrounding town, the reason became obvious. The memorial is reflective of the spires seen in the architecture throughout Stillwater. I could find no good way to photograph the town to clearly show this, but it is quite remarkable as you stand there. Not only are there spires in churches, as expected, but also in the design of a number of other buildings in the town.

This memorial is a Veterans memorial but seems to be predominately Vietnam. When there was discussion about what to call the war, it was my friend who came up with "The Helicopter War" as seen on the plaque in the second picture. I have never met anyone who was in country who does not say they can still here a "Huey" coming from miles and miles away.