Monday, February 7, 2011

Remembering those who served

On the way back to the rig yesterday from Gulf Island National Seashore, I decided to stop to view the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
IMG_8857 The Memorial, and surrounding park, is located in the city of Ocean Springs, MS. 
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The memorial lists all soldiers lost or missing in action that came from Mississippi.  It is made even more personal by including pictures of most of those soldiers.
IMG_8858This quote greets you as you enter the memorial area.  I have visited The Wall and surrounding sculptures in Washington DC, and each time I do, I am moved to tears.  The older I get, the more these memorials effect me.  So many lives lost to ensure our freedoms. 
57 MS Sandhill Crane NWR4The surrounding park is peaceful, and contains other memorials.  One honors submariners and their wives.  (They also serve, who sit and wait.)  I did not know that so many of our submarines were built in Mississippi.

There is also a paved 1/3 mile walking path that weaves throughout the park.  It is called the Medal of Honor walk.  Every few yards, there is a plaque with the name of a Mississippi recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Along with their name is an account of their selfless accomplishments above and beyond the call of duty.  Many of them, of course, received this honor posthumously.  It took Emma and me a long time to walk this 1/3 mile path as I felt compelled to read about each one of these heroes.  It was an emotional afternoon for me, and I am very proud of all of these soldiers, and all those that have served in the Armed Forces.  I salute you all, and thank you.

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy
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20 comments:

  1. Jim and SandieFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I always try to visit any memorial wherever we might be. One of the best I've ever been to is the WWII Memorial in Bedford, VA. These people have served us so honorably and deserve our respect at all times. Thank you so much for sharing this one with us.

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  2. Weldon and SandyFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:17 PM

    Thanks for sharing your visit to this memorial. Looks like Ms has done an excellent job in remembering those who served and died for this great country. Makes one proud to have served.

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  3. Dennis and DonnaFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    One of my "Do it Dammit" places is D.C....We want to see the WWII memorial, the Wall...and so many other things...Thanks for sharing you visit...We should NEVER forget the sacrifices these young men and women made for our freedom...

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  4. Donna KFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:47 PM

    Thank you for sharing. I am always touched by memories of those who serve, both now and in the past. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Sue and DougFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:52 PM

    thanks for sharing your day with us..god bless all those who have served or are serving!

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  6. Alan and Marilyn McMillanFebruary 7, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    Awesome tribute to those who have served -- thanks for sharing and I can hear in your post how much you care. We must never forget!

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  7. MerikayFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    We take our freedoms for granted far to often.

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  8. Sue MaloneFebruary 7, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    That is a very dramatic memorial, thanks for sharing it with us.

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  9. Al BossenceFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:06 PM

    We saw the travelling Vietnam Wall in Truth or Consequences New Mexico a couple years ago. Very moving experience.

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  10. Chuck and Anneke's RV travelsFebruary 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    These memorials are always on our list to visit. This one is now added to our list. Thanks for sharing.

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  11. meowmommaFebruary 7, 2011 at 10:04 PM

    Thanks for sharing about your visit to the Memorial Judy. We always try to visit the state Memorial for area's we travel in. Some cities and counties have them also.

    One of the most unique Vietnam Veteran state Memorials we have ever seen is the one in Frankfort, KY. It is designed in the style of a sundial and the shadow falls on each soldier's name on the date of his death. The designer met quite a challenge to do that!

    If you care to make a mental note ~ some of the names on panel A65 of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial are the names of those who were with the Hubster in 1969.

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  12. Carol KFebruary 7, 2011 at 11:34 PM

    Thank you for sharing this today, Judy. I join you in honoring those who have served our country, especially those who lost their lives while serving.

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  13. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 5:36 AM

    Thank you Judy for the nice post. Like others have previously said, we try to visit the memorials when nearby. In this case, we didn’t know this park was there. Next time through the area, we will make an effort to pay our respects too.

    John
    relaxedrush.blogspot.com

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  14. Sam&Donna WeibelFebruary 8, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    Judy, a truly moving post, As a Vet I thank you, I always try to remember the majority of my service as youthful fun and adventure, but the harsh realities of death and mailing your friends belongings home would be an all to often reality. When my Son Tim served in wartime, I was always worried because I had seen it with my own eyes, I can imagine my Dad (A WW2 Vet) when I was flying and they were showing crashed helicopters on the TV everyday. We too visit the war memorials that states and sometimes cities have set up, Tuscaloosa AL has a nice one in front of a shopping mall. Thanks again for remembering them. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna...

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  15. UnknownFebruary 8, 2011 at 9:24 AM

    After reading all the comments all I can add is thank you for sharing and reminding all of us how much we owe to so many for our freedoms. Thank you to all who have served this country in war and peace times to keep us free.

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  16. Wayne and MaureenFebruary 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    My wife reads you every day....I can see why!!

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  17. pidgeFebruary 8, 2011 at 2:30 PM

    I visited the one in Indy, and its funny the way even the little kids become silent while visiting the area. It's like they know instictively that this is a place to show respect. Thanks for sharing this one.

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  18. ErinFebruary 8, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Thanks for sharing your visit; like others who have posted, we try to always make time for visits to memorials and monuments to those who have served and sacrificed.

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  19. KerriFebruary 8, 2011 at 3:49 PM

    "I am very proud of all of these soldiers, and all those that have served in the Armed Forces. I salute you all, and thank you."

    Judy, you said it all...

    Kerri in AL :-)

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  20. Rod Ivers February 8, 2011 at 7:04 PM

    We served in the Northern I corps of Vietnam about 20 miles South of the DMZ. It is hard for me to go to the memorials for this war, as it brings back difficult memories of a brutal engagement. That in turn brings on the tears for those that were not as lucky as me. Thank you for your post, and perhaps I will get there some day.

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