Dedication of the Vietnam Memorial, Olde Town Augusta, Georgia

“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