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Vietnam vets take solace in recognition
Published 12:00 p.m., October 21, 2008
Photo by Tom Hintgen
A print of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington, D.C., is the latest addition to the Veterans Memorial Hall in Elbow Lake.
Over the years Americans have done their best to ensure that recognition, thanks and support for Vietnam era veterans continues. To this end, a recent addition to the Veterans Memorial Hall in Elbow Lake, adjoining the Grant County Museum, will go a long ways in helping to fulfill this goal.
In a prominent place on the east wall of the memorial hall is a print of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington, D.C. That monument is one of the most frequently visited memorials in the nation’s capital. Half-scale replicas are on tour throughout the nation.
“The print is most welcome here,” Grant County Historical Society Director Patty Benson said. “The memorial itself honors not only those Americans who gave their lives in Vietnam but also honors those who served and who still are living.”
Those thoughts, she said, will no doubt come to mind when Vietnam era veterans, family members and friends visit the Veterans Memorial Hall in Elbow Lake. The hall was dedicated earlier this year, a tribute to all military veterans from throughout Grant County.
Over 3,000 hours of volunteer work were performed by American Legion members and others from throughout Grant County in building the new memorial hall. Included in the hall are uniforms, military planes, shoulder patches, flags dedicated to the five military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard) many photos and other military memorabilia.
The Vietnam era included the years from 1961 to 1975.
Benson points with pride to other special displays from the Civil War and military wars and conflicts all the way through the War in Iraq. Entering the west door, visitors see a display of Fort Pomme de Terre located between Elbow Lake and Ashby from 1850 to 1874.
A mini-library at Veterans Memorial Hall includes books about past military campaigns, old newspaper clippings on movable glass panels and other research items.
The memorial hall project started in August 2007 and the addition to the museum was completed in October that same year. This allowed for inside work that could be done during the winter and spring months of 2008.
The boost for this project came about when the Grant County Historical Society Board of Directors asked the Elbow Lake American Legion, which was in contact with other Legions from throughout the county, for some help in putting up military displays.
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The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post. To post a comment you will need to register. Or, if you're already registered but have not included your true, verifiable identity with your registration, you will need to update your account to include your identity. Effective Dec. 1, 2009, all posts appear with the commenter's true identity, which must be verified by site staff. Those who registered prior to Dec. 1, 2009, should be aware that once you update your information with your true identity, all prior posts under your user name will also indicate your true identity. If you do not wish to link yourself to prior comments, you should register again with a different user name.Posted by betterworld (anonymous) on October 22, 2008 at 6:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen. And, it's about time the word Vietnam Vets comes up in conversations. Thankyou Museum, for proudly displaying this tribute.
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