Honoring the Fallen

In California, US 97 skirts around the northern side of Mt. Shasta, an impressive experience in itself. But it also passes the Siskiyou County Living Memorial Sculpture Garden which I would argue offers the mountain some competition and actually increases the emotional impact of the natural vista.

Established in 1988 by a group of veterans, it displays a series of welded metal sculptures by Marine Corps Vietnam combat vet Dennis Smith. Poignant, emotional and tragic, this roadside park is a tribute to those who stepped forward with brave commitment or, for some, unfortunate gullibility, to serve when their government called. My years of working for the Veterans Affairs department have taught me to esteem those who risked all for their nation's interests as highly as I do those who have labored for peace in this world. This memorial is really a "goose bumps" experience and a wonderful reward to those who get off the interstate and find the real America.

Those Left Behind

The Why Group

Korean War

The Nurses

Mementos left at the POW/MIA sculpture

POW-MIA

 

All sculptures are by veteran Dennis Smith who commented, "Through the arts we have the means to peacefully consider violence and to ask questions as well as to offer possible solutions."

I welcome your comments.
--In peace,
   JGD