JPG: Photos: "To Our Vietnam Veterans -- Thank You!!!" by Richard Knight

To Our Vietnam Veterans -- Thank You!!!

by Richard Knight

Uploaded 9 Nov 2009 — 34 favorites

Share this!

[Dedicated to Jan Hoffman, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), Vietnam, 1968 to 1970. See historical sketch, below.]

August, 2009

The Western Slope Vietnam War Memorial Park is located at the Fruita rest stop, off of I-70, just a few miles east of the Utah border.

The Park is dedicated to the men and women who served in the United States Military during the Vietnam War (1959-1975). Every American over the age of 50 remembers what a difficult time that was. The divisions among our people rivaled those that fractured the Nation during the American Civil War.

The veterans, themselves, returned home without any public acclaim or recognition. The sculpture shown here (“Welcome Home,” by Richard Arnold) depicts a young Marine returning home to the arms of his grateful mother and father.

The 1st Cavalry Division is one of the most famous and decorated combat divisions in the United States Army. The Division distinguished itself in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and in many of the armed conflicts that followed.

In Vietnam, the Division converted from traditional infantry to air assault and added “(Airmobile)” to its name. The Division, together with the 101st Airborne Division, perfected new tactics and doctrine for helicopter-borne assaults. The Division used various aircraft, including the iconic “UH-1 Iroquois” (“Huey”) shown here.

The Division’s Vietnam “baptism” came early in the Pleiku Campaign (1965), where it conducted 35 days of continuous airmobile operations, including the Battle of the La Drang Valley, which is the subject of Mel Gibson’s excellent film, “We Were Soldiers.” The Division was engaged in almost every major campaign for the balance of the War, including the Cambodian Incursion (1970).

Most of the Division was withdrawn from Vietnam in 1971, with the few remaining units withdrawing the next year. In seven years, the Division suffered casualties:

Wounded in Action: 26,592

Killed in Action: 5,444

During the Vietnam War, America’s armed forces were never defeated on the battlefield.

37 responses

Jan Hoffman said (9 Nov 2009):
Dick -- I am honored and humbled by your dedication. As you may have guessed, I am moved by this photo of the memorial. As the saying goes: "Welcome home, brother".......

--Jan
JamesHarmon McQuilkin gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Another great capture
suzanne said (9 Nov 2009):
I second this......Wonderful memorial to a sad war.
Michael Ball gave props (9 Nov 2009):
A wonderful tribute Dick!! Thanks so much for honoring our men and women.
Dawn Duffield gave props (9 Nov 2009):
This is an excellent dedication! So perfect and fitting for such an important day...Bravo
Dawn Duffield gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Thank you, Jan; from the bottom of my heart!
Hugh Taylor gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Richard, thanks so very much. I appreciate your message and your photo.
Jüri Vissak gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Great timing! Well done.
Litz Go gave props (9 Nov 2009):
A very moving image. Great dedication and history, too! A well deserve acknowledgement to our veterans.
Kevin Kabuki gave props (9 Nov 2009):
I am so anti-war it isn't even close to being funny. People mistake that for being unpatriotic. I respect and appreciate our armed forces, I believe they are the best of the best, in no uncertain terms, and in many more ways than one. I am proud of the men and women of America's military, and I see each of them in a heroic light. It is that way, and always has been. The information you gave with your photo is jarring, and should be. Even as a "peacenick" I'm completely aware of our need for military strength, I hope it is used wisely. And therein lies the problem of late... Sometimes a shot like yours can bring all of that up for me. For that, thank you.
Susan Littlefield gave props (9 Nov 2009):
I'm humbly moved to tears. Thank you for this post!
dp * gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Wonderful tribute Richard. dp
Karen Roberts gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Such statistics Ihave not thought of for a long while. Very sobering. And the way the military was treated upon returning home was awful. Each and every soldier did their duty they were called to do. No matter how they felt about it. Freedom is not free and I realize that. My sone has his orders to deploy to the middle east soon. I just hope and pray for his safety. Thank you Richard for this great shot of the Memorial.
daniele castellucchio gave props (9 Nov 2009):
simply wonderful!
Mary Brown gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Such a wonderful and moving tribute! Thank you, also, for your narrative. Yes, the numbers are sobering.
John Linton gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Very timely considering the recent tragedy at Fort Hood, home of the 1st.
Chris Sanford gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Amen, Richard.
Andrea Petersen gave props (9 Nov 2009):
A wonderful tribute with informative text and image to support your words....I wish we lived in a world where there would be no wars and peace talks could be respected as the alternative to fighting battles...but we have to be thankful there are young men and women willing to risk their lives for the freedom of our country...God bless them.
abel gave props (9 Nov 2009):
Great image, and thanks to all for serving. First Team.
williams mickey said (9 Nov 2009):
Much support, love and prayers go out to all who have served and are currently serving. And also to their family members, may the Lord give them strength and peace in their love ones absence. Thanks for sharing this photo. It's very moving.
Judy Wanamaker gave props (9 Nov 2009):
The treatment of our returning troops after the Vietnam War is a blot on our colorful history. It took many years to heal the rift between the patriots and the antiwar activists. This is a fabulous memorial to the brave men and women who dedicated their service.
david ong gave props (9 Nov 2009):
i saw a veteran standing by the road selling newspaper today... : (
Latrenia Bryant gave props (10 Nov 2009):
Excellent indeed!!
elfriede fulda gave props (10 Nov 2009):
So well captured,,,very nice dedication Richard
Regenia Brabham gave props (10 Nov 2009):
A wonderful tribute and a terrific capture. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of our history.
Loree McComb gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Bravo!
Sonia Adam Murray gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Great shot and yes, thank you to the veterans now, then and always.
Warren ~Mangione~ gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Wonderful photo! This makes me feel good to see a memorial like this. I have to admit that that Huey gives me pause. Having served in Viet Nam in 1967-68 the helicopters never stopped there were Hueys on our LZ. They are amazing fighting machines. Everytime I hear a chopper, it reminds me of the Huey. Welcome home all my fellow Viet Vets including Jan Hoffman!
Patty Gross gave props (11 Nov 2009):
This is wonderful!!! It tears my heart out, but it is beautiful! All our veterans need our support, always. I think you know that my husband, David, is being treated at the VA in Augusta for cancer. We have been astounded at the caring, loving attitude from ALL staff members. I worked at a VA for nearly 20 years. These veterans must have our full support. They are why we are free. Thank you so much, Richard. This is magnificant!!!
Rob Roy gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Great foto & facts [as usual, Dick!] but the statistics are painful! ...Wounded in Action: 26,592 Killed in Action: 5,444
Linda Houghton gave props (11 Nov 2009):
Fantastic Shot and Dedication
Zerina Phillip gave props (12 Nov 2009):
Thank to all who serve. Thank you too for the great tribute.
Anne Worner said (12 Nov 2009):
Another tine tribute! This is a time I remember so well. My husband served in 'Nam in the late 60's. Thank you.

Anne
Deborah Downes gave props (12 Nov 2009):
An incredible tribute and capture, Richard. Brings back so many memories. My husband is a Vietnam Vet. While we lived in Thailand, we visited Vietnam. It was an eye opening experience and a time of healing.
Andrew Weston said (12 Nov 2009):
Nice tribute. Veterans' Day is such a moving day it is nice to have such a tribute!
Donald Garrett gave props (14 Nov 2009):
Very very special tribute. Well done
Christopher J Chalk gave props (15 Nov 2009):
What a beautifully designed war memorial and great comments Dick. Our Aussie Vets suffered the same fate when they returned home, they were not acknowledged for putting their lives on the line. Many Vets have committed suicide as a result of PTSD and others have become criminal offenders, very sad!