Kept seeing a sign for a vietnam veterans memorial, so this morning i got up early and decided to go find it. I arrived to a very somber small memorial. A few men were milling about or sitting. After thanking them for their service, I struck up a few conversations with some of the vets. I think today was finally an "ok" time and place for some to talk about "that" war. I listened to many stories and even met the builder of the monument, a man named Jerond Belton Sr. (air cav). It was a modest monument, but very cool. And believe me, I'm sure that it was a no small task for one guy! It seemed a very personal project for Mr Belton, and well done IMHO. I told him that, although very unique, I thought it had a resemblance to the Vietnam monument in DC (by maya lin). He replied that he had been there for the D.C. inauguration. He went on to tell me that the monument had been all but destroyed by vandals at one time. But Mr. Belton simply did not give up. He continued fundraising until he could rebuild it, and he said that the new one is even better than the first. 

Mr. Marshall Thompson (24 inf) talked with me for a long time about his service

images of memorial ©Jerond Beltran Sr. 2012

images of memorial ©Jerond Beltran Sr. 2012

images of memorial ©Jerond Beltran Sr. 2012

images of memorial ©Jerond Beltran Sr. 2012

 

Well I haven't posted in a long time. The project is coming along. Have spent a lot of time "facing off" with my computer screen. Still far from done but its finally shaping up. Just wanted to say "Thank you everyone for your support!"