My first stop in the park was this monument -
in honor of those who served in Desert Storm
in honor of those who served in Desert Storm
The inscription.
The Vietnam Memorial is incredible.
Among the names inscribed are these panels - and a poem written by a fallen hero.
Close-up of the left central panel -
"To these men, and all men
who died in other wars, this is their tribute."
"To these men, and all men
who died in other wars, this is their tribute."
Close-up of the right central panel -
"History will remember the war. Will America remember her men?"
The poem in the center of the memorial reads:
IF YOU ARE ABLE,
SAVE FOR THEM A PLACE
INSIDE OF YOU
AND SAVE ONE BACKWARD GLANCE
WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING
FOR THE PLACES THEY CAN NO LONGER GO
BE NOT ASHAMED TO SAY YOU LOVED THEM,
THOUGH YOU MAY
OR MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE.
TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT
AND WHAT THEY HAVE TAUGHT YOU
WITH THEIR DYING
AND KEEP IT WITH YOUR OWN
AND IN THAT TIME
WHEN MEN DECIDE, AND FEEL SAFE
TO CALL THE WAR INSANE,
TAKE ONE MOMENT TO EMBRACE
THOSE GENTLE HEROES
YOU LEFT BEHIND.
BY MICHAEL O’DONNELL
KILLED IN ACTION 24 MARCH 1970, VIETNAM
"History will remember the war. Will America remember her men?"
The poem in the center of the memorial reads:
IF YOU ARE ABLE,
SAVE FOR THEM A PLACE
INSIDE OF YOU
AND SAVE ONE BACKWARD GLANCE
WHEN YOU ARE LEAVING
FOR THE PLACES THEY CAN NO LONGER GO
BE NOT ASHAMED TO SAY YOU LOVED THEM,
THOUGH YOU MAY
OR MAY NOT ALWAYS HAVE.
TAKE WHAT THEY HAVE LEFT
AND WHAT THEY HAVE TAUGHT YOU
WITH THEIR DYING
AND KEEP IT WITH YOUR OWN
AND IN THAT TIME
WHEN MEN DECIDE, AND FEEL SAFE
TO CALL THE WAR INSANE,
TAKE ONE MOMENT TO EMBRACE
THOSE GENTLE HEROES
YOU LEFT BEHIND.
BY MICHAEL O’DONNELL
KILLED IN ACTION 24 MARCH 1970, VIETNAM
The back of the Vietnam memorial
Rear view of the Civil War arch as seen from the Vietnam memorial.
And then there's the OIF memorial. It's a pretty little garden area, and throughout there are crosses, each bearing the name of a fallen hero. Some of those crosses have pictures on them, some do not. Many have flowers and other tokens laid carefully next to or in front of them. There are benches where you can sit and reflect.
"These Crosses Were Built In Loving Memory
Of The Fallen Soldiers From Fort Riley,
That Fought For Our Country In Operation Iraqi Freedom."
This cross is here for SGT Jacob Lee Butler.
Of The Fallen Soldiers From Fort Riley,
That Fought For Our Country In Operation Iraqi Freedom."
This cross is here for SGT Jacob Lee Butler.
SGT. Christopher Ramirez, CPT James A. Shull, SGT Kenneth J. Schall,
PFC Wyatt D. Eisenhauer, SPC Sean A. Mitchell
PFC Wyatt D. Eisenhauer, SPC Sean A. Mitchell
I made sure to save my backward glance for all of these fallen heroes as I headed to my car.
(right click image, then "Save as")
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