Texas Vietnam Memorial

Flag flying at the local cemetery

DH and I watched the Texas Country Reporter story on the new Vietnam Memorial at the Texas Capitol.* I suppose, in many ways, it was our first war. I protested it and he has his own story.

We talked about going to Austin tomorrow, but other commitments intervened. Still, there are reasons it is there and I need to write.

Today I walked round the courthouse. A friend said the Confederate War Memorial included all the names of soldiers from our county who served (which proved not to be the case.).

Civil War Memorial, Courthouse square

 There was the WWII Memorial with all the names of the soldiers who were mobilized at Belton to serve in Company I, 143rd Infantry.

WWII Memorial, Courthouse square

 And there is a memorial for veterans of "All Wars."

All War Memorial, Courthouse square

In Gratitude to God and in Love of Freedom, This Monument is Dedicated in this our 200th year of Independence to all Bell County Veterans of All Wars, For their Patriotic Service and Sacrifice in the Defense and Protection of Our Nation.

But, recognition of veterans of Vietnam has been long in coming everywhere.

The memorial in Washington D.C.** is amazing and moving...and controversial still. I saw it in 2008 and will need to go back another time.

So, I thought you might want to know about this new memorial*** in Austin, on the grounds of our state house. There is also a traveling exhibition of dog tags called the 3417 Project**** (dog tags of every Texas casualty). It too is worth seeing.

Some wounds are long in healing. Some wounds never heal. But we have to try.


NOTES:

* http://texascountryreporter.com/episodeitems/may-17-18-2014

** http://www.nps.gov/vive/index.htm

*** http://tcvvm.org/

**** http://tour.tcvvm.org/about/3417-project/


OK. I love the Victoria Confederate War Memorial. It is stunningly beautiful and like no other. So I am adding a link to the post from my October visit and a photo (in case you missed it).

http://walkinthepark-padimus.blogspot.com/2013/10/war-memorial-on-civilizations-height.html

Sculpted by Pompeo Coppini