The warrior guards the entrance of the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  He is clearly an Infantryman seated on his inverted steel pot for a moment’s rest. His weapon is always close at hand while he reads a letter from home. “I do miss hearing you laugh.  The President says you might be home for Christmas … the best present of all! Please take care of yourself and don’t be a hero. We don’t need a Medal of Honor, we need a son. All our love, Mom & Dad.” Home to a great number of military bases, nearly 10% of all Vietnam casualties claimed California as their home of record.  5,822 names are inscribed on the circular monument including 13 Medal of Honor recipients. Veterans in their own words in the memorial’s 20^th anniversary book: “So many young men … lost their lives before they even knew what living was.” Find this and 99 other stories in the photo documentary #WarriorsRemembered at www.warriorsremembered.com

Just north of New York City at Lasdon Park in the small town of Somers is a Vietnam memorial that is best seen in the height of autumn’s brilliant colors.  The beauty of the fall foliage is in sharp contrast with the dark bronze of the larger than life warrior emerging to bring his wounded comrade to the outstretched arms of the nurse.  A squad of veterans camped at the site to discourage vandalism threatened before the memorial’s dedication.  Early morning sun on the nurse’s back seemed to drive the heavy dew to her eyes.  The squad awoke to find the nurse crying tears that have now stained her face revealing the depth of her compassion.  Unique from other wars, Vietnam veterans memorials frequently include women warriors as equal members of the brotherhood of arms.  Find this and 99 other stories in the photo documentary #WarriorsRemembered at www.warriorsremembered.com