Continuing the story of the Vietnam mystery memorial on the Continental Divide near Saguache, CO. More of this amazing story. #Vietnam mystery memorial #SOLDIERSTONE
The video sent last week shows much of the main memorial surrounded by a triangular stone wall representing the small Special Forces outposts of Indochina, but SOLDIERSTONE is also is encircled by 36 granite plaques (quote stones) each with a different inscription and in nearly a dozen languages. Future blogs will contain a photograph and translation of each of these stones. Here again is the video showing some of them. http://goo.gl/8fle2k
Created by LTC Stuart A. Beckley of San Antonio, Texas, SOLDIERSTONE was never visited by its creator. LTC Beckley, an Army Special Forces officer, spent 12 years in Vietnam and wanted this memorial to be a tribute to American warriors and those from every country who fought with them in the Indochina wars. He also wished to fulfill his promise that their sacrifice would not be forgotten. His idea took shape over 25 years and was to have a companion piece; a book entitled Leaves of Stone with stories of some of these warriors. (I can find no record that the book was ever published.) From hundreds of people interested in the SOLDIERSTONE project, Colonel Beckley received unsolicited encouragement, creative ideas, time, and in kind labor and material support, though he personally bore the entire cost of the memorial. Comrades, a local granite monument company and members of a near by Special Forces unit volunteered to carry out the construction in the summer of 1995. Though he saw photos of the completed memorial, LTC Beckley never traveled to the site because at the time he was wheelchair bound with terminal cancer. He passed away on November 5, 1995.
The main memorial has as a foundation the values of the warriors he chose to honor: Courage, Sacrifice, Valor and Honor and has inscribed the three countries of Indochina – Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is topped with what appears to be a 40mm mortar, predating the most active American involvement. Visitors have left their own tributes with coins or live rounds showing respect for the site and leaving it undisturbed.
Coming next: The memorial construction and LTC Beckley’s wishes.
Find 100 other Vietnam veteran memorial stories and photos in Warriors Remembered photo documentary at www.warriorsremembered.com
Magnificent site. Lots of helpful info here.
I am sending it to some buddies ans additionally sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you in your effort!