“Those who fought in Vietnam are part of us, part of our
history. They reflected the best in us. No number of wreaths, no
amount of music and memorializing will ever do them justice, but it
is good for us that we honor them and their sacrifice.
The
men and women of Vietnam fought for freedom in a place where liberty
was in danger. They put their lives in danger to help a people in a
land far away from their own. Many sacrificed their lives in the
name of duty, honor, and country. All were patriots who lit the
world with their fidelity and courage.”
Excerpt
from President Reagan’s remark at the dedication of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial Statue (The Three Soldiers) on the National Mall
November 11, 1984. Now engraved on Augusta’s memorial.
Today,
March 29, 2019 (National Vietnam War Veterans Day) was a beautiful
spring day with blue skies, azaleas in full bloom, spring leaves
coming out on the trees, and birds singing in Olde Town, Augusta
Georgia. Today, the people of the CSRA came together to honor all
those who served in Vietnam as they dedicated the newest memorial –
The Vietnam Memorial on Broad Street and Fourth Street. Their were
many Vietnam Veterans who came out today to honor both those who gave
the ultimate sacrifice and those who served during that conflict.
 |
| Our friend Carol Ayer did the design and mozaic on this bench. |
Joe
and I went down to honor those men and women who served, between
1954 to 1975 in Vietnam. We went to our friends home, Lynn and
James who graciously invited us to sit on their porch in the shade to
listen and watch the ceremony. There were many speakers who stood
up and faced the distinguished guests in the seated area under the
white tents they had put up for the ceremony. There were many
speakers including Mayor Hardie Davis Jr, representatives from The
Cyber command on Fort Gordon, and more. The keynote speaker was
General James Livingston who served in the Marine Corps during the
Vietnam War and was a Medal of Honor recipient. He was born in
Georgia and now lives in South Carolina.
A
bagpiper played the United States Armed Forces Medley and five
members of the Navy choir sang the National Anthem. Behind the
chairs for some of the distinguished guests, was a group of Vietnam
Veterans and American Legion members who each held an American Flag.
There were military vehicles on display for those to come look at
and a few men in the uniform of the day.
 |
| The table set for one |
Under
one tent, there was a table and chair set up for one with the
backdrop of the American Flag. The members of the American Legion
set this up for the POW’s and MIA’s and there is a reason for
everything on the table. The table and chair symbolizes the frailty
of one prisoner, alone against his or her suppressors. The white
tablecloth is symbolic of the purity of intentions to respond to
their country’s call to arms. The single rose is a symbol of the
blood sacrificed and reminds us of the love of friends and family who
await their return. The lemon on a plate reminds us of their bitter
fate. The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of fallen tears of
the families as they wait the glass inverted means they can not toast
with us tonight. The chair is empty as they are not here. The
candle is symbolic of the light of hope. Many veterans walked by
and saluted the table. It was a very touching sight.
After
that portion of the ceremony everyone walked down to where the
memorial was to be unveiled. Up to that point it was covered with
cloth. When the memorial was unveiled, it was a very moving time
for many in the audience. Many went up to the memorial after the
ceremony to put their hands on their loved ones name and sent up a
prayer. There are 169 heroes who have their names placed on this
memorial – all who made the supreme sacrifice including MIA’s and
POW’s from CSRA area. This monument was a project of the Military
Order of the World Wars Augusta Chapter and took over a year to raise
the funds. They raised over $100,000 to have this beautiful granite
memorial made.
There at the top of the memorial is our country’s symbol of freedom – the bald eagle that is cast in bronze and stands 3 ½ feet high and has a 52 inch wingspan. The monument is gorgeous with beautiful etchings of “The Three Soldiers”, and also etched in the back, many vehicles from the different Armed Forces. They list how many of each branch of the service that lost their lives during the conflict.
 |
| Prepared for the twenty-one gun salute |
Nine
hundred servicemen died in Vietnam on their first day of duty and
more than four hundred died on their departure day. Sixteen clergy
members died and eight women nurses died. There were thirty-five
sets of brothers and three sets of father and sons who died. God
bless them all.
 |
| The Navy choir |
The
ceremony ended with a 21 gun salute, the bagpiper playing Amazing
Grace, Taps, and then all singing the Lee Greenwood song, “I’m
proud to be an American.” It was a wonderful ceremony and if you
didn’t get to go at least go see it. You will be glad you went to
honor these fine men and women who served our country with honor.
Bring a tissue. Bye Bye for now.
 |
| Our fine men and women who are currently serving our country. |
“Our
debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our
country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying
gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”
Harry
S. Truman
