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Forty-four of the 3,142 Pennsylvanians who fell
during the Vietnam Era were from Lebanon County and surrounding townships.
The "Vietnam Veterans Memorial" in Lebanon, Pennsylvania is a
Dedication of Honor and Remembrance to them, and stands in honor for all KIA,
POW/MIA and Surviving Americans who so valiantly served in Southeast
Asia from Aug. 4, 1964 to May 7, 1975. Approximately 3,700 men
from Lebanon County served during the Vietnam Era although it is not
known exactly how many actually were In Country.
Inspired by the "Moving Wall" exhibit
which came to Lebanon May 4-10, 1995, planning for the "Vietnam Veterans
Memorial" began that same year.
Dedicated on November 8, 1997, it was designed and erected by
The "Project Welcome Home" Committee of Lebanon County. The "Monument
Wall" stands nine feet high, not including the Eagles on either end, and is
fifteen feet long.
The Wall face was designed
by John Carlance and several designs were presented to the
committee. After final selection the design was laid out
and hand-etched into 544 raw red bricks which were
numbered for final assembly.
The location of the
"Vietnam Veterans Memorial" within the park was chosen because
of the triangular layout of the park itself and that the trees
on the East and West sides of the park form the apex of a "V" in
that part of the park. Since the National Memorial in
Washington DC is in the "V" shape it was decided to honorably
follow the same formation.
The Memorial is a bit unique in that the
Honor Roll is not included on the Wall itself. The actual Honor Roll is
located on the plaque which stands before the Wall. In addition, a brick
for most of the fallen is inlaid on the "Memorial" floor at the end of "The
Walkway Of Honored Memories". A lack of funds at the time of construction
prevented the purchase of the bricks needed to complete that portion of the
Memorial.
"The Walkway Of Honored Memories" is inlayed with bricks
bearing the names of persons and businesses who donated funds for the
construction of the Memorial.
As does the Wall in
Washington DC, the Lebanon Wall also has a Heart, that being the
Purple Heart donated by one of Lebanon County's Vietnam Veterans.
The Plaque and Marble
Stand were donated by Grandview Memorial Cemetery, Annville,
Pennsylvania.
A Time Capsule is incorporated into the wall. Also
entombed within the Wall are the signatures of all who participated in the
construction of the Memorial. Even the pens were left behind.
The Military Flags and
POW/MIA flag are traditionally aligned in a "V" formation from
the left, inward to the apex, then outward on on the right and
are arranged in the order of their time of formation. The
flags at the Lebanon Memorial are arranged for the number
of losses in each branch of service. Since there were no
losses in the Air Force or Coast Guard these flags are
positioned in their traditional position.
After completion of the
Wall an unintended and unpredictable phenomenon occurred.
It was noticed that when it rains water runs from the faces of
the two soldiers depicted in the scene giving the illusion of
tears. Various methods were tried to manually duplicate
the phenomenon but were never successful.
The Memorial contains an
Indian Medicine Wheel which was incorporated into the Memorial
by the Eastern Confederation of Woodland Indians.
A Tontine has been placed
into affect for the committee members.
Members of the "Project Welcome Home"
committee and other private citizens periodically take on tasks
to maintain and adorn the "Vietnam
Veterans Memorial". The Memorial is also adorned at
various times throughout the year with flowers, wreaths and
other honorariums.
My many personal thanks to
Capt. Ronald L. Waddell, USAF Ret.. His book "Project Welcome Home"
was instrumental for some of the information and quotes
used in the designing of this web page. Thanks also to
Charles and Evelyn Lane for their contributions.
Civilian Daniel Keiser was named an honorary
member of the committee for his generous contribution of service
in the maintenance and preservation of the Memorial. |
